The Anzisha Prize is not for great ideas or business plans: the organization is looking for the youngest entrepreneurs striving to make a difference in Africa. The award, consisting of a $75,000 cash prize to be shared among 12 of the continent’s most exciting social and business entrepreneurs, aims at pushing strong, innovative entrepreneurial young leaders to the helm of employment creation and problem-solving in Africa.
The competition was launched last February 19 with official tour activities in Côte d’Ivoire, Angola, Uganda, and soon in Morocco, and is open to entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 22 years old who are already running their business. Groups or teams can apply, although the prize requires one person to apply on behalf of the group.
‘Anzisha’, which means ‘initiate’ in Swahili, is a contest organized by the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation. Aside from the cash prize, the 12 finalists also win an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa to take part in a week-long entrepreneurship workshop at the ALA academy in Johannesburg and participate in the Anzisha Fellow program. Applications are open until April 15.
For more information: Visit the Anzisha Prize‘s website and follow the hashtag #AnzishaEffect.
