By Omolabake Fasogbon
Donors For Africa, a non-governmental organisation that specialises in designing solutions for Africans to impact indigenous communities, has unveiled this year’s winner of the African Social Innovators Bootcamp.
The African Social Innovators Boot Camp, the premier boot camp in Africa is a fellowship program funded by MARITEAM Nigeria and held in partnership with the African Union Youth Envoy. It is designed to strengthen the capacity of leading development professionals and provide them with the technical expertise required to solve some of Africa’s biggest problems.
Three winners emerged after a 4-month intensive training, with courses delivered by leading local and international experts, who equipped the change-makers with all they need to thrive.
Judged by leading founders in development, the 2021 winner is Gbenga Owoye, founder, AjoBank.ng while Omobolanle Ajijola, (founder Bina Al-Amal Foundation), and Daniel Kisitu (Muafrica Repurpose, Uganda) came in second and third place respectively.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Chidi Koldsweat, Founder and Lead Strategist of, Donors for Africa Foundation noted that the Bootcamp is aimed at building empowered institutions with the right internal structures and processes, armed with a clear road map for action.
She reiterated that “at Donors For Africa Foundation, we strongly believe that to achieve the SDG’s we need to increase investment in the human capital especially for development professionals working at the grassroots. If these grassroots organization signs are trained, supported handheld held, many of them will survive and in return continue to design new solutions needed to transform their communities and countries.”
Olamde Sopien, the Project Lead, revealed that this second edition of the African Social Innovators Boot Camp, had over 187 applications, and 45 innovators were selected from 23 African countries. According to her, 17 experts facilitated different sessions in the camp, and the pitch was judged by leading founders in development.
Partners at the event include the African Union Office of the Youth Envoy, MARITEAM Nigeria Limited, and STEAM UP Lagos.
Other partners include Bella Naija, Exquisite Magazine, Women of Rubies, and Identities Media.
Donors for Africa Foundation is a non-profit organization that works with governments, NGOs, social impact leaders, the private sector, philanthropy organizations, and investors to break cycles of poverty in Africa.
Working closely with governments, they are passionate about helping to find long-term solutions to the SDGs and ensure equal opportunity for individuals on the African continent.
Since its establishment, DFA has raised $30 Million in direct and indirect funding, trained 1000+ nonprofits, reach over 41,000 unique global development accounts weekly with trending industry news, grant opportunities, and information to improve their competence and scale up their impact globally and launched the premier digital Bootcamp and accelerator program for social innovators and continue to teach, train and empower development organisations across Africa.
