Over $75,000 USD to be awarded to 2013 Anzisha Prize finalists between
15 and 22 years old.
February 2013, Johannesburg – Applications for the 2013 Anzisha Prize
have opened and the search is on to find Africa’s most inspiring youth
entrepreneurs. Last year, prize hosts African Leadership Academy and
the MasterCard Foundation crisscrossed the continent whittling down
hundreds of applicants to 12 finalists between 15 and 22 years old who
shared over $75,000 USD in cash prizes. In 2013, the Anzisha Prize
aims to reach every corner of Africa to find the most inspiring
projects. Are you one of next Anzisha Prize fellows? Do you know
someone could be?
“We’ve worked hard to make applications and nominations as easy as
possible this year,” says Chi Achebe, Anzisha Prize Program Manager.
“Application forms are available online, via mobile phone and in print
via our country partners. We also have created a new nominations
process as well as video-based submissions through YouTube to allow
travellers, teachers and organisations to help us find young
innovators they may know in their communities.”
Finalists will win an all-expense paid trip to the African Leadership
Academy (ALA) in Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend a weeklong
entrepreneurship conference and awards gala. While there, they will be
taught by ALA’s renowned Entrepreneurial Leadership faculty as well as
experienced business mentors. Winners will share $75,000 USD, courtesy
of the MasterCard Foundation, and be given networking and learning
opportunities to take their projects to the next level.
The Anzisha Prize celebrates young entrepreneurs in the private and
social sectors – both for-profit efforts that generate employment and
non-profit activities that address entrenched social problems in the
community. Applicants will be evaluated on the impact, ingenuity, and
scalability of their entrepreneurial efforts. Last year, there were 12
finalists including 21 year old Ugandan winner Andrew Mupuya, founder
of YELI, Uganda\’s first registered paper bag making company, and 1st
runner up Diana Mong’are, who started Planet Green, an environmental
waste and recycling project.
Last year, we welcomed two Tanzanian Fellows into the Anzisha Fellow Network:
David Mwendele (22) – Founder of Let God Be You Foundation, an
initiative that trains youth to launch their own ventures in book
manufacturing, baking, and photography
Faisal Burhan (17) – Inventor extraordinaire, who designed and built a
gas-producing bio-digester and also a microscope his school’s science
classes.
The application deadline is 1 April 2013, and early submissions are
highly encouraged. Information events are scheduled for Africa’s major
centres, starting with cities in East Africa in mid February.
Prospective applicants should check the website or social media pages
for dates and venues.
Applicants can complete the online application form on the Anzisha
Prize website (www.anzishaprize.org), download and email the form to
prize@anzishaprize.org, or submit a 5-minute video application on the
Anzisha Prize YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/anzishaprize). In
the coming weeks, discussions around the state and character of youth
entrepreneurship in Africa will be hosted on he Anzisha Prize Facebook
page – www.facebook.com/anzishaprize.
\”There are hundreds upon thousands of entrepreneurial African youth
that are impacting their communities.” Continues Achebe, “We want to
hear their stories, celebrate their successes, and invest in their
potential.\”
About the Anzisha Prize
The Anzisha Prize is managed out of African Leadership Academy’s
Centre for Entrepreneurial Leadership, which was established through a
multi-year partnership with The MasterCard Foundation. Through the
Anzisha Prize, we seek to catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship
among youth across the continent. For more information visit
www.anzishaprize.org.
Press Contact:
Chi Achebe – Program Manager, Anzisha Prize
Email: prize@anzishaprize.org; 011 699 3000