Sahara Group Foundation Reaffirms Commitment to African Entrepreneurs with MADAA Reloaded
csrreporters 
L-R, Tolulope Odubela, Technology Lead, Asharami Innovations; Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications Sahara Group; Chidilim Menakaya, Director, Sahara Group Foundation and Tolu Fadipe, General Counsel/Head Legal Sahara Group during Sahara Group Foundation's Making A Difference Around Africa Reloaded Event in Lagos on 6th May, 2025.
The Sahara Group Foundation has repositioned the Making A Difference Around Africa
(MADAA) initiative to support entrepreneurs on the continent with seamless access to
markets, technology, and business advisory services.
“Through the MADAA initiative, we aim to connect entrepreneurs with opportunities that
will grow their businesses and ultimately unlock Africa’s potential for inclusive
development” said Chidilim Menakaya, Director of Sahara Group Foundation, during the
launch of MADAA Reloaded.
As a flagship initiative of the Sahara Group Foundation’s dynamic and bold
EXTRApreneurship model, MADAA Reloaded aims to discover visionary entrepreneurs
who harness local and natural resources to address everyday challenges. By focusing
on sustainable practices, we empower entrepreneurs to create businesses that not only
thrive but also contribute to the protection and preservation of Africa’s natural
environment. MADAA provides these innovators with the tools, networks, and funding
necessary to transform their ideas into scalable, impact-driven enterprises.
“The initial MADAA application cycle unveiled a remarkable depth of entrepreneurial
talent across Africa,” Menakaya noted. “Although we were inspired by the strong interest,
it became evident that we needed to broaden our scope and criteria to reach even more
extraordinary individuals whose innovations can truly transform their communities.
MADAA Reloaded represents our renewed commitment to discovering, empowering, and
celebrating these changemakers,” she added.
Read also: Sahara Group Foundation launches MADAA to drive home-grown innovation in Africa
Applications for MADAA Reloaded remain open until May 31, 2025, offering selected
entrepreneurs access to expert mentorship, tailored business advisory services, and
vital exposure to help them thrive in today’s competitive environment. Shortlisting will
commence in June 2025, with the program set to launch in the third quarter of the year.
Following MADAA Reloaded, we are committed to ensuring that successful participants
are positioned for long-term success through visibility, mentorship, and access to other
initiatives of the Foundation like the Sahara Impact Fund (SIF) which will provide
additional capital to scale their ventures. By connecting them with a broader network of
investors, business leaders, and strategic partners, MADAA creates pathways that allow
these entrepreneurs to scale their impact, leading to lasting social and economic
change.
Through MADAA Reloaded, the Sahara Group Foundation reaffirms its commitment to
building sustainable communities by empowering EXTRApreneurs—bold, impact-driven
thinkers who are not only transforming their own lives but also shaping Africa’s future.