LEAP Social Innovators Programme (SIP) 2026 For African Social Entreprenuers

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Applications are open for LEAP Social Innovators Programme (SIP) 2026. The Social Innovators Programme (SIP) is a 9-month fellowship that recognises the transformative potential of social innovation in Africa. The programme is designed to address systemic challenges and promote sustainable development by providing early-stage social entrepreneurs with the essential skills, resources, knowledge and support needed to overcome barriers to growth and development.

For the past 13 years, LEAP Africa, through the SIP, has empowered over 294 young social innovators, transforming the lives of over 4 million people across 14 African countries, with over $7.8 million in funding and revenue generated.

This programme is for young Africans between 18-35 years of age with Social Enterprises addressing challenges within Africa. Fellows are drawn from a variety of fields such as; Agriculture, Technology, Climate Action, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Affordable and Clean Energy, and Workforce Development. Fellows will participate in 4-6 weeks of intensive virtual sessions, 4 months of mentorship, and converge physically at the end of the programme for the Awards ceremony. Fellows will have the opportunity to present their social enterprises to potential investors, funders, and policymakers.

Core Fellowship Programme

Core Learning Areas

Social innovation and enterprise design
Market access and growth strategy
Funding models and capital strategy
Financial management and controls
Impact measurement and outcome harvesting
Strategy, governance, and team effectiveness
Pitch development and stakeholder engagement

AI for Social Entrepreneurship

This module introduces fellows to the practical use of AI and digital tools to improve efficiency, scale reach, and strengthen decision‑making.

Responsible and ethical use of AI in social contexts
Identifying AI use‑cases aligned with mission and scale
Leveraging data, automation, and digital tools to expand reach and reduce costs

SIP Courses on LEAP Africa LMS

Learning on the LEAP Africa LMS is organised into two complementary streams that run alongside the fellowship and allow fellows to deepen, reflect, and apply learning beyond the bootcamp.

Leadership Courses (2–3 courses)
Social Entrepreneurship Courses (2–3 courses)

Eligibility Criteria for LEAP Social Innovators Programme (SIP)

All of the following eligibility criteria must be met by applicants in order to be accepted into the Social Innovators Programme.

Citizenship/Residency:
- You must meet one of the criteria below:
- You are a citizen of an African nation OR
- You are a permanent resident of an African nation.
Geographic Focus: Your current and future enterprise is geographically located in a local community in an African nation.
Leadership Experience: You have founded or co-founded a social venture(s) with at least one (3) year of impact.
Age: You will be between 18 – and 35-years-old as at April, 2026.
Language Proficiency: You are professionally proficient in English (spoken and written). applications must be completed in English.
Program Commitment: You can commit to fully participating in the entire duration of the program between April to October, 2026.

Applicants must be the founder or co-founder of a venture that has not previously participated in the LEAP Africa Social Innovators programme, and only one co-founder per enterprise may apply.
Participants should have no more than three absences in order to complete the program and graduate from the fellowship.

Ideal Candidate

Aside from the specific eligibility criteria listed above, the ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate is the founder or co-founder of a social enterprise or social innovation. One who has a clear idea of the problem being solved.
The ideal candidate is focused on providing a lasting, and sustainable solution to the problem(s) being tackled. has come up with an INNOVATIVE solution and is willing to scale this innovation into an enterprise.
The ideal candidate has demonstrated that their work/enterprise has had a measurable impact in advancing progress on the problem being solved.
The Ideal candidates demonstrates respect and inclusion to other candidates irrespective of gender, nationality, education levels, races, or religions. They are eager to collaborate and share opportunities with others. Ideal candidates are open to learning from others, regardless of their experience level. They bring curiosity and an open mind and are willing to share their experiences and knowledge with their cohort.