The Anzisha Prize Seek To Celebrate And Inspire Young African Entrepreneurs. The Anzisha Prize celebrates and supports Africa’s youngest, most innovative entrepreneurs, between the ages of 15-22, who have created successful business ventures or social projects across the continent. Each year, 15 incredible young people are selected as Anzisha Fellows – young leaders with growing businesses who can be role models to a new generation. The stories of these entrepreneurs must be documented, celebrated and shared. The company calls it the #AnzishaEffect, and it is the power of stories about the very youngest entrepreneurs among communities to encourage others to follow in their footsteps in every corner of the continent.
Africa needs strong, innovative entrepreneurial young leaders to create jobs, solve problems and drive its economies. The continent’s future will be determined by entrepreneurial leaders across all sectors. The company believes fundamentally in the power of youth-led change. The Anzisha Prize is collaboration between the African Leadership Academy and The MasterCard Foundation that not only seeks to support young entrepreneurs, but the ecosystem around youth entrepreneurship in Africa.
Each year, 12 finalists win an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa to be a part of a week-long entrepreneurship workshop and conference at the African Leadership Academy campus in Johannesburg, and share over $100,000 USD in cash funding. Anzisha Fellows are supported for life as part of African Leadership Academy’s approach to youth development. Winning the prize is just the first step. Thereafter, mentorship, consulting and community gatherings become part of the fellow experience in the years that follow as they grow their business ventures from strength the strength. The Anzisha Fellow program helps them become the best they can be.
To achieve its vision of identifying, supporting and celebrating very young entrepreneurs on the continent, it has amassed a thrilling group of people whose mission every day is to have a hand in supporting very young people who are reshaping the continent. Its offices at African Leadership Academy gives it an intriguing vantage point as it works closely with the next generation of African leaders, global change-makers and people who are passionate about the continent.
The Anzisha Advisory Board is a group of selected individuals who have helped shape the journey of the program. They are judges, educators, entrepreneurs and investors whose areas of expertise will guide the future of the Anzisha program.
