The Sahara Impact Fund is back with its fourth cohort, offering social innovators across Africa the opportunity to transform their ideas into scalable, impactful ventures. Launched by the Sahara Group Foundation in partnership with LEAP Africa and the Impact Investment Foundation, the Sahara Impact Fund provides mentorship, capacity-building, and seed funding to entrepreneurs working on clean energy, environmental sustainability, and socially transformative projects.
With successful cohorts since 2020 and over 50 innovators empowered, the Sahara Impact Fund continues to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development across the continent.
Programme Structure and Fellowship Journey
1. Application & Selection
Open to innovators from across Africa, the application phase includes rigorous screening based on impact potential, scalability, innovation, and relevance to the target sectors. Top applicants are shortlisted and announced as provisional fellows.
2. Fellowship Experience
Fellows participate in a structured learning programme combining:
- Virtual training
- Peer learning
- Field visits to Sahara Group sites
- Access to business development resources
The programme culminates in a demo day and grant awards, where fellows pitch for up to $30,000 USD in funding.
3. Post-Fellowship Support
Beyond the grant, selected fellows benefit from:
- Ongoing mentoring and business coaching
- Visibility across Sahara Group Foundation’s media platforms
- Access to investor networks and regional accelerators
