Across the continent, young entrepreneurs are not just building businesses—they’re building solutions, creating jobs, and driving innovation in some of the most challenging environments. Join us for this special Deal Share Live session, where we spotlight and celebrate the power, potential, and promise of youth-led businesses in Africa and business-impacting youth on the continent. This session will seek to connect bold visions with the capital, networks, and partnerships they need to thrive.
As Africa continues to experience a demographic shift, with over 60% of its population under 25, the imperative to invest in youth-led ventures has never been more urgent. This is not only a social good, it’s a smart investment. Youth-led businesses are agile, impact-driven, and deeply rooted in their communities. Supporting them means shaping a more resilient and inclusive Africa.
About the Enterprises
- NeoFarm – Senegal
NeoFarm is a Senegalese biotech company transforming organic waste using Black Soldier Fly farming into high-quality protein for animal feed and organic fertilizers for agriculture. Our model generates jobs for youth and women, reduces pollution from unmanaged waste, and reduces dependency on imported soy protein and synthetic fertilizers. Through this circular innovative approach, we contribute to food security, agricultural resilience, and economic sovereignty in West Africa.
Fundraising: $2,2 million (Grants, Debt, Equity)
Sector: Biotech
- Ajrena Foods Limited – Nigeria
Ajrena Foods is a Nigerian food processing company producing nutritious, locally sourced peanut-based products, including peanut butter and coated peanut snacks. As the first local company to produce peanut butter on a commercial scale, Ajrena has disrupted a market previously reliant on imports. With two factories in Lagos and Kano conducting primary and secondary processing, the company is now expanding its impact through an in-house outgrower model in Dambatta LGA (Kano) and Hong LGA (Adamawa). This model empowers smallholder farmers with access to quality inputs, training, and secure offtake while strengthening the groundnut supply chain. Ajrena’s affordable, high-protein, and satiating peanut-based foods contribute to tackling Nigeria’s undernourishment crisis. The business generates over $2 million in annual revenue and has strong traction across Nigeria.
Funding Needed: $60,000-70,000 per hectare, we have 50 hectares to develop
Use of Funds: Input financing and outgrower model scale-up
Sector: Agribusiness / Food Processing
- Black Umbrellas – South Africa
Black Umbrellas (BU) is South Africa’s flagship enterprise development incubator, empowering high-potential youth entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses that drive job creation and inclusive economic growth. Operating through a hybrid model that includes a robust virtual incubation platform and on-the-ground support, BU delivers structured programmes in business skills training, mentorship, access to markets, and investment readiness. To date, BU has supported over 3,000 businesses, with a growing pipeline of youth-led enterprises,96 of whom are currently on a waiting list for programme admission. BU is now focused on scaling its youth enterprise support offering through targeted cohorts and sector-focused accelerators.
Funding Needed: $400,000 in Grant Funding.
Sector: Enterprise Development / Youth Entrepreneurship