LEAP Africa’s Social Innovators Fellowship Programme (SIPA) 2026
LEAP Africa
Quick Facts
A word from Eli, founder of Rise Africa Scholars
MSc Information Security — Unicaf Scholar
While you wait for a fully funded opportunity, don’t put your education on hold. I completed my MSc through Unicaf — studying online from Nairobi while working full-time. The tuition discount made it genuinely affordable, and the degree is from an accredited UK university.
If you’re serious about advancing your career now, I’d encourage you to explore it. I only recommend what I’ve used myself.
About This Scholarship
The Social Innovators Programme (SIP) is a 9-month fellowship designed to empower early-stage social entrepreneurs aged 18-35 with essential skills, resources, and support to overcome barriers to growth and development. The programme combines 4-6 weeks of intensive virtual sessions, 4 months of mentorship, and a physical convergence for an Awards ceremony where fellows present their enterprises to investors, funders, and policymakers.
What This Scholarship Covers
- Virtual intensive bootcamp sessions
- Mentorship support (4 months)
- Access to LEAP Africa Learning Management System with 4-6 leadership and social entrepreneurship courses
- Networking with investors, funders, and policymakers
- Opportunity to pitch social enterprise at Awards ceremony
Who Can Apply
- 1 Must be a citizen of an African nation OR a permanent resident of an African nation
- 2 Current and future enterprise must be geographically located in a local community in an African nation
- 3 Must have founded or co-founded a social venture with at least 3 years of impact
- 4 Must be between 18-35 years old as at April 2026
- 5 Must be professionally proficient in English (spoken and written)
- 6 Must be able to commit to full participation in the entire programme duration (April to October 2026)
- 7 Must be the founder or co-founder of a venture that has not previously participated in the LEAP Africa Social Innovators Programme
- 8 Only one co-founder per enterprise may apply
- 9 Participants must have no more than three absences to complete the programme and graduate