We are a fine blend of passion, dedication, and heart. We are 123 changemakers from 34 countries and we speak over 60 languages, so we are the most diverse team you could possibly imagine. We volunteer at Savvy because we believe that entrepreneurs are the catalyst for growth and the creators of wealth, so we’re building a program that will shape passionate young professionals into the finest impact-driven entrepreneurs, and equip them with all they need to be successful at what they do.
Meet the Savvy team with a combined experience of over 500 years.
Chidi
Nwaogu
Co-founder
Head of Fellowship Program
Chidi is a multi-award winning entrepreneur and CEO at Publiseer. He is an Acumen Fellow, Alibaba eFounders Fellow, Westerwelle Fellow, and Yunus&Youth Fellow. Chidi won the Migration Entrepreneurship Prize, the Africa 35.35 Award for Entrepreneurship, the Young Leaders Award for Media & Entertainment, and the Bizz Business Excellence Award.
Chika
Nwaogu
Co-founder
Head of Mentorship Program
Chika became a tech entrepreneur at 16. Since then, he has co-founded, grown, and sold two successful tech startup companies to American organizations, including LAGbook, a social networking company that recorded over one million registered users within three years, and was featured on TechCrunch for garnering 30,000 registered users in less than six months.
Alan
Main
Advisor
Alan Main was until recently a member of the Sanofi Executive Committee and was appointed to his position as Executive Vice President, Consumer Healthcare in October 2016. He is a highly respected senior leader in the global consumer healthcare industry, with more than 30 years of marketing and general management experience in the consumer health and medical device fields.
Emily
Allen
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture
Allen is the International Programs Manager at Because International. She has worked in for-profit and non-profit sectors, and thus bringing years of business experience to Savvy, having owned multiple businesses over the past fifteen years, including a successful counseling center.
Zuby
Onwuta
Mentor
Sector: Artificial Intelligence
Zuby Onwuta is a Harvard and MIT trained innovator, and a recipient of the President Obama Service award. He is a US Army veteran, a patented inventor of the “Brain Control for Blind Assistive Tech”, and the founder & CEO of Think and Zoom. Zuby is a 4x TEDx speaker.
Paul
Boudrye
Mentor
Sector: Entertainment/Entrepreneurship
Boudrye is the Chief Innovation Officer at House Studios, an entertainment company based in New York, into audio and video production, photography, studio rental, marketing, artist development, and record label services. He is the Innovation Advisor at TEDx Pearlstreet in Washington, DC.
Fabio
Hüther
Mentor
Sector: Nanotechnology
Fabio is the Founder of Evodrop AG, a nanotechnology company that ensures clean, healthy, and pollution-free water. Since 2017, Evodrop has been producing its first water filter prototype. To date, various versions have been developed and optimized.
Isaac
Sesi
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture
Isaac is an entrepreneur, engineer, innovator, and Team Lead at Sesi Technologies. He is one of 50 Most Influential Young Ghanaians for 2018 and a 2019 MIT Technology Review Innovator Under 35, alongside the founders of Google and PayPal. Sesi has spoken in many top universities including MIT and Yale.
Oliyen
Chinnayen
Mentor
Sector: Tourism
Oliyen is a Foreign Exchange Manager at Thomas Cook, a leisure, travel, and tourism company in Mauritius. He is also an alumnus of the African Presidential Leadership Program. Oliyen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Curtin University.
Aweko
Faith
Mentor
Sector: Waste Management
Aweko is a social entrepreneur with extensive experience in supporting marginalized youths and women through employment and skills development. She founded Reform Africa, a Ugandan social enterprise that transforms Africa’s waste into wealth through repurposing waste into affordable recycled products that are used by the locals in their everyday life.
Rebecca
Baranya
Mentor
Sector: Peacebuilding
Baranya is an economist and activist for youth, peace, and security. She promotes responsible leadership, democratic governance, youth empowerment, female empowerment, peace-building, and conflict resolution. Baranya is a Generation Change Fellow with the United States Institute of Peace, and an alumna of YouLead and African Presidential Leadership Program.
Modou
Njie
Mentor
Sector: Corporate Management
Modou is the founder of AFG Ventures, a social enterprise addressing the investment and human capital gaps in Africa. He is also the Director of Startup Grind in The Gambia. Modou has won the 2019 Africa 35.35 Award for Corporate Management, the 2020 Top 50 Career Influencers in Africa Award, and the Top 10 Platinum Career Influencers Award by Workbooth Magazine.
Thaddée
Butoyi
Mentor
Sector: Information Technology
Thaddée is a Burundian computer scientist. As part of the African Union Volunteer Corps, he is currently deployed as Information Technology Officer in Algeria within African Union‘s office in the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT), where he works as the Assistant of the Head of Database and Documentation.
Obipiseibima
Aggokabo
Mentor
Sector: Healthcare
Aggokabo is a Ph.D. student at Liverpool John Moores University. She is an experienced biomedical scientist with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and healthcare industry. Aggokabo is skilled in medical microbiology and endometriosis. She is Founder and President at Global Impact for Rural Innovation Foundation.
Gifty
Metuge
Mentor
Sector: Cyber Security
Metuge is an expert in cybersecurity, with proficiency in cyber defence, digital forensics, penetration testing, red teaming, reverse engineering, secure software development, security tools, threat hunting, threat intelligence, UNIX internals, vulnerability research and exploitation, and Windows internals. She currently heads two tech startups based in Nigeria.
Sidoine
Leudjie
Mentor
Sector: Civic Leadership
Sidoine is a vigorous youth empowerment proponent who is passionate about Africa’s positive mindset transformation. Very engaged in civic leadership, Sidoine has served and led reputable organizations like the Cameroon Debate Circuit, Toastmasters, JCI, and YALDA Cameroon. Today, Sidoine is a consultant in sustainable development, personal development, and civic leadership.
Uchenna
Okiya
Mentor
Sector: Computer Arts
Okiya is a self-taught technical artist and the Founder of Gbosaman, which specializes in games design, 3D design, photo manipulation, photogrammetry, web design, and 3D printing. An alumnus of the Meltwater Entrepreneur School of Technology, Okiya is constantly seeking new ways to showcase the African narrative to a global audience through technology.
Andrew
Dauda
Mentor
Sector: Social Work
Dauda is a social worker, educationist, soft skill development consultant, and child protection activist. He is a co-founder of Children’s Assurance Program Sierra Leone (CAP–SL) and alumnus of many professional organizations like YALI Regional Leadership Center, U.S. State Department Alumni Network, Queen’s Young Leader, and African Presidential Leadership Program.
Olugbenga
Ogunbowale
Mentor
Sector: Employment
Olugbenga is the CEO of Epower.ng, an agency connecting businesses to customers, and the founder of TOES, an NGO working to end orphan poverty in Africa. Olugbenga is a Mandela Washington Fellow, a Tony Elumelu Fellow, and an alumnus of the Leadership in Business Institute of Kellogg School of Management.
Jacky
Kimani
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture
Kimani is the co-founder and Product Lead at Farmula, an agri-tech startup company that offers market insights and price data to farmers. Before founding Farmula, she worked at a startup for four years. Kimani is also a member of the Advisory Board for Tunapanda Insitute, a technology school in Nairobi.
Fatoumatta
Kassama
Mentor
Sector: Women’s Empowerment
Kassama is the CEO of Girls’ Pride, providing less-privileged women and girls with sexual and reproductive health education, and reusable sanitary pads. She is a Mandela Washington Fellow, One Young World Ambassador, OPEC Funds for International Development Scholar, and Obama Foundation Leader.
Brian
Kithinji
Mentor
Sector: Journalism
Kithinji is a professional media practitioner, having worked at CNBC Africa, Forbes Africa, and Ventures Africa. He is a Poynter Koch Media and Journalism Fellow, a YALI RLC East Africa Fellow, an alumnus of the African Presidential Leadership Program, and have served as the Deputy EAC Youth Ambassador for Kenya.
Adeshina
Adewumi
Mentor
Sector: E-commerce
Adeshina is co-founder/CEO of One Kiosk Africa, an e-commerce solution empowering informal retail store owners in Africa using geolocation and machine learning. Adesina is also a Partner with Aptive Capital, a US-based $1 million portfolio fund company supporting African entrepreneurs with capacity development and funding.
Ibn
Bacar
Mentor
Sector: Media
Bacar is the CEO at StartupAfrica.news, a data-driven media and content company documenting the stories of the startup ecosystem in Africa and the diaspora. Bacar has significant experience in building innovation ecosystems and creative industries. He leads an online startup studio as Lead Investor for budding entrepreneurs.
Ines
Tchakounte
Mentor
Sector: Women’s Empowerment
Ines is the National Secretary-General of the Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa, Cameroon. She is fervent about women’s empowerment and the respect of the rights of refugees and migrants. Ines is an alumna of the YALI Regional Leadership Center and the African Presidential Leadership Program.
Charlette
N’Guessan
Mentor
Sector: Fintech
Charlette is the co-founder and CEO of BACE Group, a tech startup company that provides AI-powered facial recognition services for online identity verification. She writes, especially on topics related to technology and business, and is one of the authors of the AI BOOK by the Fintech Circle, published by Wiley.
Mohammed
Yayandi
Mentor
Sector: Employment
Mohammed Bayero Yayandi is a Nigerian tech community builder, activist, and volunteer. He is the Founder of YandyTech, a community that addresses the problems of unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria by bringing opportunities closer to locals, who otherwise won’t have access to such opportunities.
Uche
Udekwe
Mentor
Sector: Healthcare
Udekwe is the Founder and CEO of NATAL CARES, a social enterprise focused on providing healthcare, medical monitoring, and emergency services to at-risk pregnant women. Udekwe is a LEAP AFRICA Fellow, Ashoka ChangeMakerXchange Fellow, ONE CHAMPION Fellow, and Tony Elumelu Fellow.
Rilwan
Akeyewale
Mentor
Sector: Business Advisory
Akeyewale is a Lead Strategist at TechPlan Africa. With experience working with KPMG, he’s a World Economic Forum contributor, a World Youth Forum panelist, an African Entrepreneurship Awards mentor, and a Tony Elumelu Fellow. He has worked with several SMEs that have raised $5M+ and employed 5K+ people.
Iam
Etefia
Mentor
Sector: Business Growth
Etefia is the Lead at Google Business Group, Uyo. He is also a Business Strategist at 36Zero.ng, a digital marketing agency that helps brands grow through meaningful connections. Before leading GBG, Etefia was the Co-director at Startup Grind, Uyo. He is passionate about helping people to build businesses around technology.
Haymanot
Walelgn
Mentor
Sector: Youth Development
Walelgn is the Country Director for Africa Youth Union Commission in Ethiopia, an organization committed to creating the platforms and opportunities for youths to contribute their quota to the growth and development of Africa. She is a Nasser Leadership Fellow and an alumna of the African Presidential Leadership Program.
Esther
Mwangi
Mentor
Sector: Women’s Empowerment
Mwangi is the CEO at EsVendo, an organization solving existing societal problems, like providing sanitary items in Kenyan slums and rural areas. An alumna of the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology, she is passionate about building enterprises and working with different people to positively impact society.
Murkthar
Suleiman
Mentor
Sector: Sustainable Development
Murkthar is the Director of the Centre for Development and Advanced Learning. He is the curator of TEDxAhmaduBelloUniversity, an alumnus of the African Presidential Leadership Program, and a research and communications officer with the Directorate of University Advancement, Ahmadu Bello University.
Babatunde
Akin-Moses
Mentor
Sector: Finance
Akin-Moses is the co-founder and CEO of Sycamore, a peer-to-peer lending platform that connects lenders to borrowers using technology. Prior to that, he was consulting for leading accounting firms, where he specialized in accounting, tax, and finance for energy, utilities, and mining companies. Akin-Moses is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School.
Musa
Harold
Mentor
Sector: IT Infrastructure
Musa is the Director of RodNorth, a company that meets the IT Infrastructure needs in Africa by providing affordable technological solutions to enable business processes. Musa is passionate about accelerated growth in business development and conceptualization. He is a certified presale consultant in enterprise hardware and software solutions.
Nyarko
Antwi
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture/Finance
Antwi is a co-founder of Cocoa Sika, a financial technology company that provides instant credit with low interest to commercial cocoa farmers in Ghana. Through Cocoa Sika, Antwi helps farmers improve their yields, and provide them and their families with free healthcare. He is an alumnus of the African Presidential Leadership Program.
Oyinkansola
Oni
Mentor
Sector: Business Management
Oni is a youth development advocate and Director at Way Network Africa, a social enterprise advancing youth development and education through technology. She is also a corporate strategist and business development expert with experience spanning through the manufacturing, retail, IT, and finance sector. Oni is adept in the knowledge of B2B sales, lead generation, negotiation, and data visualization.
Lukman
Abubakari
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture
Lukman is the co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of Agroseal, a commodity trading company that empowers fruits and vegetable smallholder farmers through innovation and technology. Lukman has worked in different capacities across various industries, including education, healthcare, IT, and Agriculture. He is a Tony Elumelu Fellow, and an alumnus of the African Presidential Leadership Program.
Favor
Ori
Mentor
Sector: Software Development
Ori is a software engineer and entrepreneur with over five years of experience building and launching innovative products and solutions geared toward simplifying, automating, and improving life. Some of Ori’s projects are Tugure, MedJapa, FavCode54, College Situation, 4yBY, and most recently, WeJapa. College Situation was acquired for approximately $70K within two-weeks from its launch.
Marly
Samuel
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture/Software
Marly is the Tech Innovation Project Coordinator at Inclusive and Collaborative Local Tech Innovation Hub, which brings people and resources together to develop tech innovations. She is passionate about the integration of ICT in societies, especially less-advantaged societies. Marly has also worked at AIESEC.
Isaac
Oladipupo
Mentor
Sector: Education
Oladipupo is a co-founder at Afrilearn, an ed-tech company integrating a network of teachers, developers, and animators to deliver affordable and standard education to Africans, anywhere. Having served as a Judge for the Future Awards Africa, he was nominated as a 2020 World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.
Fasoranti
Damilola
Mentor
Sector: Employment
Fasoranti is the Founder of Prikkle Academy, where he co-creates open innovation hubs with rural stakeholders to uncover their potentials and mobilize it to create street-smart solutions. He is a Kanthari Fellow, Dalai Lama Fellow, LEAP Africa Fellow, Laddership Fellow, and African Changemaker Fellow.
Samuel
Osborn
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture/Software
Osborn is a co-founder at farmCap, an agri-tech platform that connects smallholder farmers to capital, data, input, and market in Africa. He is also a software engineer with an interest in computer vision and building solutions for real-life issues using machine learning. He is an alumnus of the African Presidential Leadership Program.
Gloria
Kaguo
Mentor
Sector: E-commerce
Kaguo is the Product & Marketing Lead at Kweza, which offers collective buying to informal retailers, so they can source stock conveniently, at the best prices, and have it delivered to their stores. She is skilled in strategy, product development, and management. Before Kweza, Kaguo has worked for ‘Girl Up’ and ‘Apps and Girls’.
Onyinyechi
Nmecha
Mentor
Sector: Education
Nmecha is the co-Founder and CEO at Extraclass, a digital platform that offers flexible learning and teaching environment for individuals especially students. Before Extraclass, she was engaged with offline tutoring and the provision of extra classes for kids and college students. Nmecha is a 2019 Tony Elumelu Fellow.
Nthatisi
Lesala
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture
Nthatisi Lesala is a youth leader from Lesotho, passionate about contributing positively to youth activities at both national, and global levels. She is the founder of Greenland Farm and the Majakaneng Youth Club. Lesala works with different organizations in Lesotho to implement inspiring humanitarian activities.
Ability
Elijah
Mentor
Sector: UI/UX Design
Elijah is the co-founder of SMUV, a branding, and design agency. Before that, he was the co-founder of Caketunes, a music-sharing and beat distribution platform for artists and producers in Africa. Elijah is an experienced UI/UX designer focused on planning, wireframing, and designing software, mobile apps, and websites.
Fela
Buyi
Mentor
Sector: Fashion
Fela is a business consultant and coach. He is the founder of SALUBATA. Fela has won the Africa 35.35 Award 2019 for Arts, Culture and Fashion, the Entrepreneur Africa Awards 2019 as the “Business Person of the Year”, and the British Council Entrepreneurship Award 2019. He is passionate about community impact.
Olamide
Akomolafe
Mentor
Sector: Healthcare
Olamide is one of the founders of Nadia, which offers affordable primary health services like prescription, diagnostics, insurance, and scheduling through our automated personal assistant. At Nadia, he works on strategy, user support, and operations management. Olamide is also a co-founder of Shukran.
Precious
Joy
Mentor
Sector: Sales/Customer Service
Precious is the founder of Africa Startup Entrepreneurs Network, an online community that inspires business leaders through personal and professional development. She is a sales and customer service strategist. Precious is the author of 7 Things That Customers Need. She has trained over 700 African entrepreneurs.
Kyrian
Molokwu
Mentor
Sector: Software Engineering
Kyrian is a co-founder and product engineer at Eazox, an e-commerce solution. He is also a mentor at Google Africa Developer Scholarship, a partnership between Grow with Google, Andela, and Pluralsight. Kyrian is a software and DevOps engineer with an interest in machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Zena
Omwayi
Mentor
Sector: Education
Zena is a teacher with over five years of experience. She began teaching in Khartoum, Sudan, before moving to Nairobi, Kenya. Since 2015, she has served as Deputy Director of a children’s home in Nairobi. Zena is a YALI RLC East Africa Fellow 2020 and an alumna of the African Presidential Leadership Program.
Kayode
Daniel
Mentor
Sector: Product Design
Kayode is co-founder of Covibes and a community organizer of Product School. With an MBA from the University of South Wales, Kayode is equipped with over 4 years of experience in solving problems using design thinking and product design. Kayode is an alumnus of the Meltwater Entrepreneur School of Technology.
Bayode
Ibironke
Mentor
Sector: STEM Education
Bayode is the CEO of TechBridge Consulting, an ed-tech firm with a vision to reimage Africa as a hub of innovation and train 10 million young Africans for advanced IT and programming skills before the year 2030. His company, TechBridge was featured as Nigeria’s Top 100 startups by Forbes for the year 2020.
Godwin
Mayaki
Mentor
Sector: Multimedia
Godwin is the Founder of Gross Multimedia Services, which provides multimedia and digital services in Nigeria. He has served as a lecturer in Statistics at the Federal College of Education, Obudu. Godwin holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Abuja, Nigeria.
Chadia
Mathurin
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture
Mathurin is a co-founder of FarmWallet, a startup company that uses blockchain technology and artificial intelligence to create a more sustainable Africa and the Caribbean by firming the agricultural value chain and empowering the farmer. She is a brilliant and strategic storyteller.
Embassy
Marshal
Mentor
Sector: Business Development
Embassy is the Founder and CEO of SpiCodeX. He specializes in software and hardware development, digital marketing, designs, and consults for companies and organizations. It is his dream to raise self-sustained people who are able to raise others as well.
Temitayo
Johnson-Laleye
Mentor
Sector: Fashion
Temitayo is the founder of TJL Signature, which creates bizarre fashion accessories for adventurous students. TJL has been recognized by Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Alumni, SME 100 Africa, BellaNaija, Women Connected by Purpose, among others.
Mike
Rosanje
Mentor
Sector: Growth Hack
Mike is a serial entrepreneur, writer, and tech enthusiast. He is the founder of GuddiesPlanet, Cashbudy, instaDrop, and Credmart.co. He’s a prolific growth hacker and business developer, proficient in planning and structuring, branding, and digital marketing.
Godson
Charnor
Mentor
Sector: Education
Godson is a social entrepreneur, youth development and leadership consultant, co-founder of EITSEC Ghana, and currently pursuing a charted program in investment analysis. He is a YALI alumnus, who is passionate about Africa and strongly believes Africa will work again.
Jabulani
Madlala
Mentor
Sector: Business Development
Jabulani has years of work experience with multinational companies like IBM and Deloitte. He has worked in several startups since 1992, cutting across several sectors. Jabu is passionate about working with entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities and emerging markets.
Vickie
Amankwaa
Mentor
Sector: Journalism
Victoria is a Ghanaian journalist and CEO at EDB Class Waste Management. She serves as a freelance journalist for Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Modern Ghana, and other media houses in Ghana. Victoria has a degree in Communication Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
Augustus
Kagyene
Mentor
Sector: Education
Augustus is an economist, social entrepreneur, and founder of Curtin Child Learning Center, a school providing basic education to the rural kid in Sembabule District, Uganda. He is a Tony Elumelu Fellow, and an ambassador to the World Literacy Foundation.
Guelbe
Dongar Urbain
Mentor
Sector: Project Management
Dongar has many years of experience in the telecommunications industry and five years in volunteer services. He is an accomplished operations executive, with a successful track record. Dongar has worked at Tigo for over seven years, as a roaming and international specialist, and a quality engineer.
James
Lutaaya
Mentor
Sector: Healthcare
James has over ten years of experience in clinical microbiology, immunology, and genetics. He is the founder of Medicalshed, a Digital Health company that incorporates the latest technology and best human practices to improve service delivery, and accessible healthcare for all.
Sanyam
Chhoriya
Mentor
Sector: Software Development
Sanyam is an android developer, who is proficient in Kotlin and Java. He is a cybersecurity enthusiast and an IAC member at PICT Debate Society. Sanyam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the Pune Institute of Computer Technology.
Nadia
Ali
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture
Nadia has over 12 years of work experience in community development, facilitation, volunteerism, and gender advocacy. She is a social entrepreneur in the agricultural sector. Nadia works with women groups in shea butter processing, creating linkages with the market, and reducing the interference of middlemen.
Joshua
Okorie
Mentor
Sector: Youth Empowerment
Joshua is the founder of DSTClass, and the WorldBank award-winning initiative, Pacesetters’ Club, a rural youth empowerment initiative that provides a platform for self-teaching and collaboration among youths. He has years of experience working with different development-oriented bodies and initiatives.
Aditya
Agrawal
Mentor
Sector: Strategic Planning
Aditya is the Founding President of Career and Development Cell, Department of Commerce, Ramjas College. He is an experienced associate with a demonstrated history of working in the commercial real estate industry, who is skilled in research, customer service, management, strategic planning, and leadership.
Nora
Chaynane
Mentor
Sector: Business Development
Nora is the Founder of Shine Space, which helps students prepare early and acquire skills beyond what the schools provide, to meet the demands of the world of work and/or successful enterprises. She is also co-founder of Voluntrips in Morocco, which lets travelers serve as volunteers in rural communities.
Terrence
Fang
Mentor
Sector: Human Rights
With a passion for languages, Terrence is a Cameroonian Law graduate, a human rights advocate, and a legal translator or interpreter. Fluent in English, French, and Portuguese, he is the founder of an online consulting company. Terrence wants to impact the world positively with the help of the network he builds.
Olumide
Ogunbanjo
Mentor
Sector: AgriTech/Business Optimization
Olumide is an experienced agro-ecologist with a strong flair for AgricFood projects and rural livelihood improvement. He has an excellent understanding of business optimization, process re-engineering, logical framework, change/lean management, and hands-on skills in marketing, re-distribution, and sales.
Moaed
Shabaani
Mentor
Sector: Digital Marketing
Moaed is an entrepreneur, photographer, and content creator, with over 10 years of work experience in digital marketing. He is proficient in social media management, particularly on Facebook and Instagram. Moaed speaks Arabic, English, and Mandarin.
Relebohile
Molotsi
Mentor
Sector: Youth Development
Relebohile is the founder of Joyful Hearts, an initiative that strives to mold and to enhance the skills and capabilities of youths within Lesotho. She has been invited by Rotaract-Lesotho to educate its youth on authentic leadership and team-building skills. Relebohile is an alumna of YALI RLC.
Bola
Eyinade
Mentor
Sector: Business Management
Bola oversees the business activities of Rovingheights, a physical and online bookstore. Prior to founding Rovingheights, she has worked at one of the Big Four accounting firms, where she led several teams in the audit of various clients in the Nigerian Financial Services industry.
Caritus
Maselesele
Mentor
Sector: Project Management
Caritus brings years of experience in establishing operational optimization across diverse industries in both national and international operations. He helps convert strategic plans into tactical realities through guiding organizations in establishing themselves as viable businesses.
Nixon
Onyango Wandera
Mentor
Sector: Finance
Nixon is the co-founder of the Fadhili Cancer Support Organization, which is focused on handling all cancer cases in Kenya, by joining hands with research institutions and like-minded organizations. Before setting up Fadhili, he was an accountant at Cancer Care Kenya.
Nitesh
Bhardwaj
Mentor
Sector: Public Policy
Nitesh is an experienced associate with a demonstrated history of working in the public policy industry. He is skilled in nonprofit organizations, creativity skills, journalism, proposal writing, and fundraising. Nitesh is a strong healthcare professional with a Master’s degree.
Mohammed
Faruk Suleiman
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture
Mohammed is the co-founder and CEO at Halfash Integrated Farms, an agricultural company using modern farming techniques and equipment to produce enough quality food for consumption. He is also a Ph.D. student at Teesside University, doing research in Anomaly Detection in Wireless Sensors Networks.
Maroua
Ameziane
Mentor
Sector: Sustainable Development
Maroua is an SDGs advocate, youth empowerer, and philanthropist. She is the Projects Coordinator and Youth Mobilizer at Youth SDG Action Campaign in Morocco, with the Sustainable Development Youth’s Organisation. Maroua is the President of the World Merit Rabat and Lions Club. She speaks five languages.
Karina
Bhasin
Mentor
Sector: Social Inclusion
Karina leads training and development at Even Cargo, India’s first women-only last-mile E-Commerce Logistics company. Before joining Even Cargo, she led social inclusion at Delhi OYE, an organization that is working towards creating safe public spaces for all, including women. Karina seeks to establish an equal and harmonious ecosystem.
Abdallah
Harunah
Mentor
Sector: Transportation
Abdallah is the Director and Senior Transport Researcher at the Transport, Travel & Logistics Research and Innovation (TTLRi) Ltd. He is also an administrative assistant at the Ministry of Health in Uganda. Abdallah holds a degree in Transportation and Mobility Management from Makerere University.
Henry
Kiragga
Mentor
Sector: Data Analysis
Henry is a co-founder and Director at Evidence and Methods Lab, a data visualization civic tech initiative in Uganda. He is a data analytics specialist with over 7 years of professional work experience, with a special skill set in social research, policy analysis, statistical data production, monitoring, and evaluation, etc.
Francis
Fon Teboh
Mentor
Sector: Project Management
Francis is the Managing Director at Visionary Technologies, a technology-centered company that designs, develops, and coordinates digital technology solutions that solve real societal, industrial, and business challenges. He is skilled in Digital Strategy, Project Management, and Social Media Marketing.
Mary
Orach
Mentor
Sector: Data Analysis
Mary is an experienced Data Analyst with a demonstrated history of working in the computer software industry. She is skilled in Entrepreneurship, Data Science, Data Analysis, Tableau, and Teaching. Mary is a strong and proficient information technology professional. She is a Data Analyst at Tech Uganda.
Lamin
Jawara
Mentor
Sector: Financial Analysis
Through my education, Lamin has gained excellent insights into the world of finance and strengthened his analytical and quantitative skills. He is someone who is unusually dedicated, self-motivated, and who possesses the detail-orientation and technical skills to excel in a fast-paced environment.
Richard
Tomhorbe
Mentor
Sector: Accounting and Finance
Richard. is the Treasure Inspector of the Ministry of Finance and Budget in Chad. He holds a degree in the English Language from the University of Ndjamena, and a graduate diploma in Accounting and Finance from the National School of Administration of Chad. Richard also serves as the Communications Director at AfriYan Tchad.
Abisola
Oyebade
Mentor
Sector: Business Strategy
Bisola is an attorney with experience as a Property Law Consultant in Real Estate, Human Resource, and Business Development, and has drafted various Legal Contracts and Agreements. She is an advocate for Sustainable Development and Youth Empowerment, Communication, and Capacity Building.
Baljeet
Yadav
Mentor
Sector: Education
Baljeet is co-founder and Director of Varitra Foundation, a non-governmental organization with an objective to design, curate, and implement unique and relevant models in the field of development. Varitra Foundation currently works with the Haryana Government in Karnal district on providing quality education.
Emelda
Mwamanga
Mentor
Sector: Women’s Empowerment
Emelda is the publisher of Bang! Magazine and editor of Property International Magazine. She is the founder of a women’s empowerment foundation called Dare to Dream. Emelda has previously worked for Coca-Cola. She is a flag bearer of Vital Voices, an American NGO that deals with women issues.
Komal
Siddiqui
Mentor
Sector: Women’s Empowerment
Komal is the founder and CEO of Kuch Badlain, which empowers girls and women, through girl-child adoption, free or discounted courses, job opportunities, and awareness of girl’s hidden health issues. She is also the co-founder and COO of Thriving Space, a shared co-working environment based in Karachi, Pakistan.
Kaniyeh
Ijeje
Mentor
Sector: Waste Management
Kaniyeh is the co-founder and Operations Lead at Recyclift, a plastic recycling startup company, based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He has a passion for problem-solving, expanding knowledge, questioning the “status quo”, and always trying to change the narrative. Kaniyeh enjoys trying new things and challenging myself.
Moses Akurugu
Ade-ena
Mentor
Sector: E-commerce
Moses is the founder of GhShopOnline, an e-commerce platform based in Ghana. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he was the Resident Nursing Officer at HEC & Hardt’s Medical Consult, where he rendered basic nursing procedures, OPD services, and facility management. Moses was the Executive Secretary of YALDA in Ghana.
Richard
Kachungu
Mentor
Sector: Business Development
Richard is a business development consultant, leadership coach, and motivational speaker. He is the co-founder of the Young Emerging farmers Initiative (YEFI), a non-profit organization in Zambia. Richard is a Royal Commonwealth Society Associate Fellow and a 2019 Obama Foundation Leader: Africa.
Azebre Abu
Ibrahim
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture
Ibrahim is a community development professional, and the founder of Azabre Farms, a Ghanaian agricultural business enterprise that engages in cashew and mango plantation, and livestock farming. He holds a Master’s degree in Measurement and Evaluation from the University of Cape Coast.
Emmanuel
Uwandu
Mentor
Sector: Renewable Energy
Emmanuel Uwandu is the Chief Executive Officer of Kiakia Gas, an energy solutions company, which uses gas to bridge the energy access gap between traditional forms of energy to renewable forms of energy. He is also an Energy Advisor for the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Laen Sugi Rante
Tandung
Mentor
Sector: Business Analysis
Sugi is a Business Analyst and Entrepreneur. She holds a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Adelaide University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Hasanuddin University, graduating cum laude. She is a Student Counselor at IDP Education Ltd, a global leader in international education services.
Kyomuhendo
Sylivia
Mentor
Sector: Healthcare
Sylivia is the Founder and Director of Infants’ Health Foundation, a grassroots level organization that breaks down the barriers to accessing and utilizing maternal-child healthcare services in Uganda. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Community Based Rehabilitation, Birth Defects, and Disabilities from Kyambogo University.
Kathleen
Mureithi
Mentor
Sector: Renewable Energy
Kathleen is the Executive Director at Africa For Renewables in Climate Action, an organization advocating for the use of renewable energy in all areas of production. She is a Business Mentor at the Jijali Program by Yusudi in Kenya. Katheleen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Disaster Mitigation and Sustainable Development.
Gitika
Bhatia
Mentor
Sector: Marketing
Gitika is the Chief Marketing Officer at Beatest, which identifies a pool of candidates, using Machine Learning, across domains, on their definite and abstract skills, and then provide their growth potential to segregate high performing candidates for their clients. She is a tenacious and creative strategy executive.
Adina
Deacu
Mentor
Sector: Education
Adina is an Environmental Psychology Researcher studying different learning, working, and living environments as a context of behavior, as well as the influence that human behavior has in return on the environment as a whole. She is an Educator with 10+ years of experience in influencing and managing multiple stakeholders.
Lesly Patricia
Linares
Mentor
Sector: Sustainable Development
Lesly is a Professional mentor, who accompanies and guides people, families, companies, and communities, in the development of their Sustainable Development and Management Models. She is a Chemical Engineer, Marketing Specialist, and holds a Master’s degree in Business Creation and Development.
Annabel Monthe
Muema
Mentor
Sector: Business Development
Annabel is a global HR and Business Development professional at Novelty Ventures, with 8 years of work experience. She is a co-founder at the Identical Family Association, and a Business Development Manager at Xcell Consultium Ltd. Annabel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
Ariyo
Dolapo
Mentor
Sector: Digital Marketing
Ariyo is the Founder of Analytiq Insight, which helps businesses maximize their online presence with a personalized approach to digital marketing. He is an experienced Digital Marketing Manager with extensive experience building, maintaining, and running successful digital marketing campaigns.
James
Paek
Mentor
Sector: Customer Service & Relations
James has experience in the Retail and Quick Service Restaurant industry for three years with customer service and improved customer relations. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Georgia and an Associate of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Georgia.
Toyin
Bamidele
Mentor
Sector: Social Entrepreneurship
Bamidele currently explores his interest in the African Economic Value Creation Ecosystem through the Venture Matrix for the future of Africa Project, where he develops projects, structures, and processes to advocate for youth inclusion and participation in exploring Africa’s growth potential.
Harry
Enaholo
Mentor
Sector: Education
Harry Enaholo is the founder and CEO at Treford, an ed-tech startup company focused on empowering African youths with the digital skills that they need to thrive in this digital era. Harry’s experience cuts across Talent Management, Product Management, Agile Project Management, and Business Strategy.
Modupe
Durosinmi-Etti
Mentor
Sector: Business Development
Modupe is the Program Manager at The Bulb Africa, a platform for African creatives to turn tech ideas into business realities. She is a Business Development Manager with demonstrated experience driving technology expansion, partnerships, strategy, and operations in top-tier technology startups across Africa.
Talla
Guilleu
Mentor
Sector: Strategic Planning
Talla is the Founder of Chipsco Enterprise. He has a demonstrated history of working with NGOs in and outside Cameroon. Talla is skilled in Negotiation, Microsoft Excel, Management, Customer Service, Skill Development, and Strategic Planning.
Chinelo
Chilokwu
Mentor
Sector: Sales
Chinelo is an experienced production personnel and salesperson, with a demonstrated history of working in the Beverage Industry. She holds a Master’s degree in Biochemical Engineering from University College London (UCL).
Ndifreke
Patrick
Mentor
Sector: Social Entrepreneurship
Ndifreke has over 10 years of work experience cutting across non-profit operations management, youth and women-led startup growth, social entrepreneurship, and development consulting. He holds a degree in Applied Geophysics.
Noah
Ssempijja
Mentor
Sector: Project Management
Noah is the National Refugee Program Coordinator or Opportunity International, an organization providing microfinance loans, savings, insurance, and training to over 14.3 million people in developing nations. He is a program and project management professional with over 8 years of practical work experience.
Afrah
Al-Esbeli
Mentor
Sector: Business Strategy
Afrah is an Admin and Procurement Assistant at Youth Leadership Development Foundation in Yemen. She holds a Master’s degree in International Business Administration from the Asia e University in Malaysia. Afrah is a GGA Humanitarian Ambassador, a capacity-building trainer, and a professional public speaker.
Ndu
Ekwomadu
Mentor
Sector: Product Design
Ndu is the Founder and CEO of Heimdall Technologies, based in Abuja, Nigeria. Before that, he was the Chief Technology Officer at Studio24, a photography and multimedia company. Ndu is a Product Designer, Brand Strategist, and Technology Consultant developing effective solutions to scale brands.
Modupe
Odunyemi
Mentor
Sector: Entrepreneurship
Modupe spent the last five years building and running CapitalSquare, one of the foremost coworking spaces in Nigeria, where she had the opportunity to create spaces where people are inspired and empowered to do their best work. Before CapitalSquare, she was a consultant and advertising copywriter.
Leonard Ighodalo
Uzairue
Mentor
Sector: Healthcare
Leonard is a Research Medical Laboratory System Specialist at the International Foundation Against Infectious Disease in Nigeria. He is a Ph.D. student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, from where he holds a Master’s degree in Medical Microbiology and Public Health. He is the Founder of ResearchHub.NG
Pilira
Tembo
Mentor
Sector: Entrepreneurship Training
Pilira is a lecturer, researcher, and consultant at the University of Zambia. Before this, she was a Staff Development Fellow at the University. She holds a Doctorate degree in Educational Management, Law and Policy from the University of Pretoria. Pilira specializes in Educational Financing and Entrepreneurship Training.
Arik Olakunle
Awodein
Mentor
Sector: Education
Arik is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Product Evangelist of TeachersAroundMe, an ed-tech platform that helps people source, screen and connects with professional teachers, linguists, counselors, and skill trainers nearby. He is a member of the Association of Entrepreneurs and Technologists, and an alumnus of the University of Lagos.
Espoir
Mulondola
Mentor
Sector: Employment
Espoir is a Founding Partner at Lazima Nipate Academy, an NGO that empowers both young refugees and nationals in the slums of Kampala, to make a sustainable living out of what they are passionate about, by nurturing job creators and change-makers with the ability to turn challenges into solutions.
Dinesh
Kelum
Mentor
Sector: Sports
Dinesh is the Assistant Coach at Sri Lanka Cricket Association for Physically Challenged (SLCAPC), formerly known as Physically Challenged Cricket Sri Lanka. SLCAPC promotes disability cricket among the country and encourages organizations to provide more access for cricketers who have physical difficulties.
Tafsir
Ony
Mentor
Sector: Healthcare
Tafsir is a Co-founder at Sustho, a social enterprise with the aim to modernize the rural healthcare system in Bangladesh. He joined Sustho as a co-founder to handle its business and product development. Tafsir is a highly motivated individual with expertise in Team Management, Project Management, and Operations.
Abenet
Ajeme
Mentor
Sector: Management Consulting
Abenet is an experienced Managing Director with a demonstrated history of working in Management Consulting. He is skilled in Business Planning, Analytical Skills, Management, and Leadership. Abenet is a strong professional with a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics & Rural Development from Alemaya University.
Harshit
Gupta
Mentor
Sector: Social Entrepreneurship
Harshit is the founder of a non-profit organization, Womenite, working to create an equal society through education, love, and empowerment. He has worked on the issues of gender, child sexual abuse, and menstrual hygiene. Harshit is a Queen’s Young Leader, National Youth Award Winner, TEDx speaker, and Fellow at Royal Commonwealth Society.
Want to join the ‘Savvy’ team?
Every day, we are looking for experienced entrepreneurs with post-revenue businesses to join the ‘Savvy’ team that is building the new generation of impact entrepreneurs through mentorship. We are a diverse team, so we welcome people from different backgrounds.
We are looking for experienced entrepreneurs with a heart for helping others, and dedication to leaving the world better than they found it. So, if you think that describes you, then you might be whom we are looking for.
