…opens call for nominations

The Impact Investors Foundation (IIF), Nigeria’s leading platform for unlocking impact capital is adding yet another partner, LEAP Africa to spotlight more impact heroes in this year’s annual award for impact investing.

LEAP Africa, a youth-focused leadership development organisation committed to raising leaders that will transform Africa, has formed an alliance with IIF and its existing partners to celebrate trailblazing organisations as part of their continued recognition of the substantial impacts of enterprises, investors, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The IIF Annual Awards, renowned for celebrating leading institutions and/or individuals who have made significant environmental and social contributions through their investments, products, services or innovations, and the LEAP Africa’s SIPA Awards, dedicated to supporting the growth of innovative youth-led enterprises, have joined forces to create a powerhouse platform for acknowledging outstanding entities driving positive change in the society.

Combining these awards comes at a crucial time when the world is increasingly turning its attention towards sustainable business practices and social impact. The IIF Annual Awards for Impact Investing and SIPA Awards aim to amplify the recognition of organisations that are not only profitable but also making meaningful contributions to environmental and social causes.

The award recipients would be celebrated at a spectacular awards night in Lagos on the 13th of November 2024 as part of the 2nd West Africa Deal Summit.

This event promises to be bigger and more impactful than ever before, bringing together investment leaders, innovators, and change-makers from across various sectors under one roof to celebrate their collective efforts towards building a better world.

The 2024 IIF Annual Awards for Impact Investing are in the following categories:

1. Impact Investor of The Year
2. Social Enterprise of The Year

The 2024 LEAP Africa  Awards  are also in the following categories:

3. Outstanding Fellow Award
4. Seyi Bickersteth Award for Financial Accountability

The Innocent C. Chukwuma Awards are in the following categories:

5. Innocent C. Chukwuma Award for Social Impact (ICA) in West Africa
6. Innocent Chukwuma prize for youth and gender empowerment in South-East Nigeria

Eligible individuals or organisations should visit the award website to read more about the selection criteria and submit nominations before June 14, 2024.

The Chief Executive Officer of Impact Investors Foundation (IIF), Ms Etemore Glover, said, “The support and nominations we have received over the years remind us that our ambitious goal to transform Nigeria into an impact economy is possible. We’re delighted to be working with changemakers and partners in Nigeria to spotlight the innovative and courageous organisations that are committed to being the voice of social and environmental change.”

Commenting on the recognition, the Executive Director, LEAP Africa, Ms. Kehinde Ayeni, said, “As we celebrate the achievements of these outstanding contributors under the Seyi Bickerseth Award for Financial Accountability, the Outstanding Fellow Award and the Innocent Chukwuma Award for Gender Empowerment, we are reminded of their vital role in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

There is a conscientious effort by multilevel stakeholders to adequately resource enterprise innovation, however organisational growth, financial resilience, and gender inclusion and equity are key focal areas these Awards are seeking to promote and support. Their dedication and innovation serve as inspiration for others to follow suit, driving us towards a world where business success is synonymous with social and environmental stewardship.”

Speaking on the award, the Executive Chair, Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation (ICCEF), Mrs Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, said, “Many non-profits and civil society organisations are empowering their communities by addressing critical issues such as poverty, inequality, and access to clean water and healthcare and we want to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements in honour of the legacy of the Late Innocent Chukwuma. We look forward to identifying organisations that are implementing projects that benefit humankind.”

In 2023, Aruwa Capital Management, an impact investment company that invests in untapped economic segments won the Impact Investor of the Year award; Eha Clinics, an innovative and comprehensive healthcare service provider, won the Social Enterprise of the Year award while Women’s Right and Health Project (WRAHP), a non-profit that promotes reproductive health, rights and general development for women, young girls and communities, clinched the Innocent C. Chukwuma Award for Social Impact. Gift Muoneke; Founder Greenera Technologies: Winner of the Innocent Chukwuma Award for Youth and Gender Empowerment in South -East Nigeria. Jolis Nduwimana; Founder WEGE Companies: Winner of the Seyi Bickersteth Prize for Financial Accountability.

In 2022, the IIF, DevEast and Agon Workman established the Innocent Chukwuma Award (ICA) for Social Impact in memory of the Late Innocent C. Chukwuma. The IIF is proud of the support of DevEast, Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation (ICCEF), Agon Workman and Project Alert on this year’s award.

LEAP Africa’s Social Innovators Programme (SIP) is an accelerator fellowship that empowers young changemakers through a holistic approach designed to bridge the skills, systems and structural gap hampering the scalability and sustainability of social enterprises. It is borne out of the understanding of the challenges faced by most young social enterprises such as limited access to early-stage funding, and resource and connection deficits that hamper their growth and sustainability.

The year-long fellowship culminates in an Awards ceremony, the Social Innovators Programme Awards (SIPA), designed to recognise outstanding fellows and celebrate youth at the forefront of social change across Africa leveraging innovative approaches.

SIPA has its antecedent in the Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards (ANYLA) initiated in 2004 by LEAP Africa as an avenue to celebrate outstanding African youth contributing innovative and impactful solutions for the continent’s transofrmation.

In 2013, the Social Innovators Programme (SIP) was founded as a redesigned ANYLA. SIP is a one-year fellowship that equips young people with the skills and resources required to turn their social innovations into sustainable enterprises. Over the past 11 years, the programme has attracted support from many international organisations and has supported 296 social innovators and entrepreneurs in 13 countries, whose enterprises have impacted millions across Africa.

Their collaborative partners, Union Bank Nigeria, Ford Foundation, Sahara Group Foundation and the International Youth Foundation have immensely contributed to the laudable achievements of the Social Innovators Programme and Awards since its inception.

The Impact Investors Foundation (IIF) engages and collaborates with key stakeholders, active in the impact investing space, to unlock private capital for social investments in Nigeria. IIF’s overarching goal is to promote the growth and excellence of impact investing in Nigeria. In the last 5 years, IIF has been playing a leading role in the impact investing ecosystem in Nigeria by convening stakeholders in government, private and social sectors to advance its growth. In furtherance of its effort to accelerate the market potential, the IIF established the Nigerian National Advisory Board for Impact Investing (NABII). The role of the NABII is to design and implement national strategies, regulations and policies that address the barriers inhibiting the growth of impact investing while unlocking opportunities for more impactful investments.

For 21 years, Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa has stayed true to its mission to equip a new cadre of African leaders. LEAP Africa achieves this through its training programmes, research publications, convenings, and, most recently, e-learning.