Every year, Acumen’s Fellowship in West Africa selects 20 inspiring leaders who are committed to a lifelong journey of solving problems of poverty and building a world based on dignity.

From enhancing livelihoods and dignity through the empowerment of rural Nigerian farmers and women in the coconut value chain to modernizing public health infrastructure for increased early childhood immunizations, our 2024 cohort thrives on moral imagination - the humility to see the world as it is, and the audacity to imagine the world as it could be.

Over the past six months, the Fellows came together to learn with and from each other in a series of workshops and immersive seminars. Following their graduation from the Fellowship, they will now join Acumen’s growing group of over 1600 social innovators who make up our alumni community, the Foundry, and accompany each other from across the globe to build a world based on dignity.

Join us in welcoming the newest cohort of Acumen Fellows into the Foundry.

A'aron is the Founder and Executive Director of Centre for Climate Action, Innovation and Engagement, an organisation dedicated to creating a network of think-tanks focused on redefining Africa’s industrialization through energy decarbonization and climate technology projects. Previously, he served as the pioneer Chief Resilience Officer of the Kaduna Office of Resilience and Director of Business and Commercial Services at the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority, where he played a critical role in implementing the Kaduna State Urban Renewal Agenda and establishing Nigeria’s first Metropolitan Authorities. His interests include systemic change and design, climate change, urban planning, business, and photography..

Abosede is the Founder of Girlsaide Initiative and the convener of Keep All Mothers Alive (KAMA) Care, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing accessible healthcare intervention and education services to girls, women, and youth in underserved communities. She is a consultant obstetrician and gynecologist, and serves as the Chief Medical Director at ORB Women’s Clinic. Abosede holds a postgraduate fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FMCOG, Nigeria), and a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from Harvard University. As a proximate and transformational leader, she continues to advocate, educate and innovate within the sexual and reproductive health ecosystems.

Subomi Plumptre is the Co-Founder of Vizient Coop and Volition Cap in Nigeria, and Volition Blue in the United States. She is a dedicated champion for the financial prosperity of the African and Diasporan middle class. Driven by her belief in the economic potential of this socio-economic group, she designed a fund management model that leverages traditional African cooperatives and earned an asset management license from the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission. She was a respected brand and marketing expert with over 20 years of experience prior to embarking on her entrepreneurship journey, and served as a Director at Alder Consulting at the pinnacle of her marketing career. She also teaches entrepreneurship as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Lagos.

Dr. Bada Akintunde-Johnson is the Country Director for Paramount Africa and a member of the executive leadership team at MTV Base, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures and MTV Africa Music Awards. He previously excelled in advertising and marketing while at TBWA, Centrespread FCB, SO&U Saatchi, and was Creative Manager at Hitv Limited. He began his career at Galaxy TV and is a respected sports media personality.

As Co-Founder of Africa Creative Market, drives the growth of the continent’s creative economy by facilitating training and networking opportunities for young creative professionals. He also runs Peaceville Foundation, a secondary school-focused music initiative, and serves as a mentor and trainer for the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs program under the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. He holds a degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan, a diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and is pursuing an MBA at the Berlin School of Creative Leadership. In 2021, he was awarded an honorary doctorate and named one of Ynaija's top ten media professionals under 40.

Alimatu Bawah is the Founder of Health Dreams Inc, a startup focused on advancing access to affordable healthcare options including specialized foods and supplements for people with chronic ailments and NCDs in Africa. She is also the Co-Founder of Cowtribe Inc, an impact-driven startup dedicated to improving the lives of millions of smallholder farmers across Africa. As a Marketing & Communications and Corporate Governance Practitioner, Alimatu Bawah brings over 10 years of experience to her role in developing innovative and sustainable social impact projects in agriculture. Her career demonstrates success in fundraising and managing funders, partners and government relationships. She holds both an MBA and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

Chinwe is the Co-Founder and CEO of Instollar, a green talent marketplace that matches skilled green collar workers with renewable energy companies using advanced location and competence algorithms. Previously, she led an HR consulting practice focused on improving business performance for SMEs and has extensive experience working as a Human Resource Director in multinational organizations and managing diverse and multicultural teams across Africa and the UK. She is passionate about solar power and its potential to address unemployment challenges among the youth in Africa.

Christine is the Executive Director of the Liberia Cancer Resource Initiative, a civil society organization dedicated to breast cancer awareness, promoting early detection and providing treatment and support. Currently, she serves as a Policy Advisor to the Minister of Health in Liberia, seconded by Partners In Health, where she contributes to policy development and strategic initiatives. Her career is also marked by her service as the Chief of Staff for the Mayor of Monrovia and extensive experience in operations within the UN system. 

Christine is a passionate leader and advocate for accessible and affordable healthcare in Liberia, particularly in last-mile communities. She believes in the power of education in addressing leadership challenges and actively supports young Liberians in securing scholarship opportunities. Additionally, she has mentored Girl Scouts and continues to empower youth through her work.

Engr. Atsugah Ebenezer John is a seasoned water and sanitation expert with over 17 years of experience. He pioneered "Sama Sama," one of Ghana's thriving sanitation social enterprises, and served as Managing Director of the WASH division at iDE-Ghana. He also worked as Projects Manager for WSUP, where he designed fecal sludge management systems and implemented WASH projects in schools.

Ebenezer co-founded Cargo-Bikes Africa, now WAHU Mobility. He has experience building sustainable WASH market-based models, innovating climate-resilient water and sanitation solutions, and developing local artisans into successful entrepreneurs. He has designed water treatment and supply schemes in rural Ghana and actively advocates for sanitation in underserved communities. Ebenezer holds an MSc in Engineering and Management, a Professional Civil Engineering accreditation from IET-Ghana, and shares his water supply engineering expertise as a part-time lecturer at Kumasi Technical University.

Ebun Feludu is the Founder and CEO of Kokari Coconuts & Company, a vertically integrated enterprise that farms and processes coconuts into a range of wholesome snacks and lifestyle products. With operations in Nigeria and the United States, Kokari, under Ebun's leadership, now offers 10 NAFDAC-certified food and personal care products exported globally. Her flagship Kokari Women Initiative aims to revolutionize retail distribution by empowering women as brand ambassadors and thereby transforming communities and livelihoods.

Before Kokari, Ebun founded Plug Media, a boutique media firm focused on empowering women-owned businesses through strategic storytelling, and Igrow Agri Invest, an all-women investment fund supporting female entrepreneurs in agriculture. With a journalism background, Ebun has dedicated her career to amplifying women's voices, inspired by her own experiences growing up with a single mother. Her personal journey fuels her commitment to women's economic empowerment.

Ije Anusim is a trained medical doctor and the co-founder of Dot, an organization that offers innovative financial services, providing access to payments, banking, and insurance for underserved communities. With a strong background in healthcare, fintech, and management consulting, Ije is an innovator at the intersection of technology and creative problem-solving. Her deep interest in the startup and social impact ecosystem drives her to serve as a Non-Executive Director and to offer pro bono consulting for several NGOs.

Ikenna Nzewi is the CEO and Co-founder of Releaf, a supply chain technology company focused on transforming Africa's food industry through the supply of high-quality ingredients to food factories. Ikenna co-founded Releaf while still working on his degree in Computer Science from Yale University. During Releaf's early days, Ikenna worked as an Associate Consultant at Bain & Company, as part of their Private Equity Group, where he conducted commercial due diligence for leading global private equity funds.

Releaf uses patented technology to sequester carbon and develop affordable, soil-regenerating fertilizer exclusively for smallholder farmers, and are backed with funding from investors such as Y Combinator and Breakthrough Energy Ventures.

Jadesola Adedeji is the Co-Founder and CEO of STEM METS Resources, an organisation that has impacted over 30,000 learners through innovative S.T.E.M initiatives. Through her work, Jadesola Adedeji is transforming education in Nigeria by bridging the gap between future workplace skills and those acquired by students. After a 20-year career in pharmaceuticals, she ventured into education to provide enriching programs for her own children and the broader community. She is also part of the consortium behind STEM Africa Fest, an event that has gathered over 15,000 parents and children across Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, and Zambia, with plans to expand to Kenya, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia

Jadesola holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from King’s College, London, and a Master’s from the University of Calgary, Canada. She also completed an Executive Program in Social Entrepreneurship at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.

Miatta Paula Thomas is the Executive Director at Allies in Development, a nonprofit organization in Sierra Leone working to end violence against women and girls. With over seven years of experience in women’s rights and child protection, she has led her organization to reach over 15,000 women, girls, and families through violence prevention education, relationship and sex education, positive parenting programs and support services for survivors of sexual abuse.

Miatta is also an experienced social worker, policy analyst, and social protection specialist. She is a member of the Every Woman Coalition, a global network of over 2,000 women’s rights activists and 840 organizations across 128 nations, advocating for a new Optional Protocol to CEDAW to end violence against women and girls.

Mohamed A Kamara is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Freetown Innovation Lab, where he drives a circular economy approach by transforming plastic waste, seaweed and discarded tires into innovative products and solutions. His renewable energy solutions, including windmills, solar systems, and a 5KW hydropower generator made from tablespoons, have brought electricity to remote communities across Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea, and beyond.

Currently, his team is establishing Sierra Leone’s first 2 & 3 Wheelers Retrofitting Center, converting motorbikes and Kekehs into electric vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions. He has been recognized with several awards, including African Youth Icon of the Year, Young Energy Leader, Expo Live Dubai Winner, and UNDP Youth Innovator of the Year. He has a BSc Honors in Physics and a Master's in Energy Studies from the University of Sierra Leone.

Murijana Abubakari is the CEO and Founder of Suglo Suhudoo Women Group, where she empowers women in shea and groundnut processing and packaging, while prioritizing environmental sustainability. Murijana is dedicated to training and mentoring women in these industries, and aims to enhance their skills and support their professional growth. Her holistic approach to sustainable development is driven by her commitment to safeguarding the environment.

She holds a degree in Integrated Development Studies from the University for Development Studies and a Master's in Business Administration from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. 

Mustapha B. Colley is the Corporate Planning Manager and Board Secretary at the Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC). He plays an active role in strategic planning to ensure a safe, reliable, and affordable bus transport system. Mustapha also advances regional integration by organizing partnerships with neighboring transport companies and developing interstate transport protocols. Additionally, he tracks environmental factors affecting performance and manages complex design projects for corporate clients.

Nana Adjoa Sifa Amponsah is the Founder of Guzakuza, a company that champions female agribusiness founders across Africa. With over a decade of experience, she has amplified brands, driven growth in the agribusiness landscape and motivated over 8,000 women across 36 countries to launch transformative agribusiness ventures in Africa.

Nana champions the causes of female founders and leads initiatives like Ignite Africa, WAW, SheFarms, The FeMail Show, and WiFAI, significantly impacting women and girls across Africa and the Diaspora. She is a recognised global speaker, having presented at the G-20, Malabo Montpellier Panel, African Union and the European Union. She has been featured by the New York Times and honored with awards such as the UK's Inspiring Women Awards and the 40 Under 40 Africa awards.

Dr. Tosan Mogbeyiteren is the Founder of Black Swan Tech Ltd., an organisation at the forefront of developing impactful technology solutions. He is also a medical doctor and public health specialist that leads multi-disciplinary teams in addressing development challenges in resource-poor settings. As the Program Director and Principal Investigator of WeMUNIZE , he spearheads efforts to increase birth registrations and childhood immunization. Recognized for his innovative approaches in public health, Tosan is committed to scaling operations across Nigeria and leveraging technology in the global fight against childhood vaccine-preventable illnesses.

Dr. Umar Abubakar is the Co-Founder of The Taimaka Project, where he oversees all programs and leads the medical portfolio focused on cost-effective innovations for treating acutely malnourished children. With extensive experience in the Gombe State Hospital system, he identified that childhood malnutrition in the region mirrored a global crisis, with only 25% of affected children receiving life-saving treatment. Through Taimaka, Abubakar is committed to leveraging research and innovation to improve child health outcomes in Gombe and throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Wainright Acquoi is the Founder and CEO of TRIBE, a design firm that integrates and expands entrepreneurial education to Liberian high schools and supports startups through incubation and acceleration programs. TRIBE leads a pioneering school-to-work model, RE-Novate, that equips high school students with entrepreneurial and work skills, facilitating their transition into the workforce. Wain has previously worked with Dalberg Media in Copenhagen and the African Leadership University (Group)'s then-San Francisco office.

There is more. Stay tuned on Twitter and Facebook over the coming weeks as we highlight the incredible work of this inspiring cohort.

Interested in joining the 2025 Acumen West Africa Fellowship? Sign up here!