The Sahara Group Foundation, the charitable arm of the energy conglomerate Sahara Group, recently launched a new initiative called MADAA—Making A Difference Around Africa. This initiative aims to foster home-grown innovations and businesses across the continent, enabling them to succeed, scale, and thrive in a sustainable manner. The goal is to establish an integrated ecosystem of collaborators that will contribute to the economic transformation of African nations. With applications for MADAA now open on the foundation’s official website until the end of November 2024, there is a strong push to engage budding entrepreneurs and innovative minds to take part in this significant project.
During an interview, Kola Adesina, the Executive Director of Sahara Group, highlighted the pressing issue of energy poverty in Nigeria, attributing it to population growth outpacing infrastructure development. He asserted that Sahara is proactively combating this gap by developing infrastructure that can support the increasing population, which, in turn, aims to enhance living standards and reduce the cost of living for Nigerians. Adesina emphasized that the lack of growth in infrastructure is a critical factor contributing to energy poverty, and he reiterated Sahara’s commitment to building infrastructure that meets the demands of the population.
The MADAA initiative represents Sahara Group’s dedication to giving back to the community. Adesina conveyed that for Sahara, contributing to community sustainability involves preserving and conserving natural resources that have been available for generations. He stated that giving back goes beyond mere philanthropy; it is crucial for ensuring that customers receive products and services that genuinely address their needs and improve their quality of life. He underscored the ambition for Africa to become a center of excellence and creativity, suggesting that efforts like MADAA could significantly enhance not just individual lives but the overall stature of Africa on the global stage.
At the unveiling of the MADAA initiative, Chidilim Menakaya, Head of Programmes at Sahara Group Foundation, elaborated on the initiative’s vision in providing sustainable economic opportunities to aspiring entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas. She emphasized that MADAA serves as a testament to the foundation’s commitment to nurturing sustainable communities through a concept they refer to as “Extrapreneurship,” which combines excellence in entrepreneurship with a keen awareness of social impact. Menakaya announced that the process of shortlisting candidates would commence in December, leading to the selection of beneficiaries who will participate in the first quarter of 2025.
Beneficiaries of the MADAA initiative will be granted access to a comprehensive range of resources, including financial and investment support of up to $100 million, as well as mentorship opportunities from seasoned professionals in various industries. This financial backing is expected to empower innovators and entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into viable businesses, thereby stimulating economic growth in their respective communities. Ejiro, the Head of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, added that although Africa is abundant in innovative ideas, it often lacks adequate platforms for showcasing and scaling these concepts.
In concluding her remarks, Ejiro reiterated the belief that Africa’s challenges must be met with local solutions crafted by Africans themselves. This core philosophy underlines the Sahara Group Foundation’s decision to back local inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs, encouraging them to utilize domestic resources in creating meaningful solutions for the continent. Overall, the MADAA initiative stands as a promising venture aimed at addressing pressing economic issues in Africa, showcasing the commitment of Sahara Group Foundation to foster local talent and innovation to drive sustainable growth across the continent.
