The Mandela Rhodes Foundation has named Nigerian social entrepreneur Dr Sunday Ochai, founder of EduRise, as the main winner of its 2025 Äänit Prize, underscoring the growing momentum of African-led ventures tackling education, climate resilience and small business security.
Selected by an independent panel of judges, Ochai’s project emerged top among 29 applications from across the continent. Raised amid conflict in Nigeria, Ochai has firsthand experience of the dangers of pursuing education in fragile environments. His venture, EduRise, works to restore access to schooling for conflict-affected children while also providing menstrual health education and peacebuilding initiatives.
“In a country where millions of children are out of school and where 43 per cent are engaged in child labour, EduRise restores dignity and resilience,” the Mandela Rhodes Foundation said in its announcement. The initiative, it added, demonstrates that education remains “critical to breaking cycles of poverty and displacement.”
Ochai will receive US$60,000 to expand EduRise’s reach, alongside the US$1,000 Audience Choice Award. Accepting the prize, he said:
“This prize is not just for me but for every child who dares to dream. EduRise will now be able to assist 300,000 conflict-affected children in Nigeria to reclaim their right to education and a brighter future. I was one of them. This is also a shout-out to the millions still not in school – your hope is renewed because we are just starting.”
Two other ventures tied for second place, each awarded US$19,000:
- Dr Kenechukwu Ikebuaku, also from Nigeria, for Mozisha, an education-to-employment programme that links young Africans to real-world training and mentorship through partnerships with companies and organisations.
- Ms Fama Jallow, from The Gambia, for Hisia, a climate-tech platform using AI, satellite data and low-cost sensors to deliver hyperlocal climate insights to farmers, NGOs and governments via SMS, USSD and LoRa networks.
Dr Ikebuaku underscored the need for solutions beyond classrooms:
“Young Africans need more than classrooms, they need pathways to global employment opportunities. Mozisha bridges that gap… To every young African: know this truth – your dreams are valid.”
Ms Jallow, meanwhile, highlighted climate change as an urgent rather than distant challenge:
“With Hisia, we are proving that African-born innovations can tackle Africa’s greatest climate challenges. We are committed to putting life-saving data into the hands of small-scale farmers, many of whom are women, to strengthen food security.”
The final shortlisted entrepreneur, Ntsako Mgiba of South Africa, was recognised for JONGA, a community-driven security system designed for township-based small business owners. The wireless, camera-equipped device with a three-month battery life connects directly to local emergency services.
“Far too many township businesses lose stock to crime, forcing early closures and cutting income. Our solution is cost-effective and safeguards livelihoods,” Mgiba said.
Judy Sikuza, CEO of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, praised the calibre of applicants:
“Social initiatives such as the Äänit Prize are vital in enabling ventures with potential for significant impact, scalability and replicability. What excites me is not just the brilliance of the 29 applications we received, but that young African leaders have the courage to act where the need is greatest.”
The ceremony featured Dr Sangu Delle, Ghanaian entrepreneur and chair of Äänit, alongside Dr Shehnaaz Suliman, a South African-born biotech executive. A panel discussion explored the theme: “Entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship in Africa: Driving impact from within and beyond.”
As the evening drew to a close, it was evident that Africa’s creative entrepreneurs are not only crafting solutions to deep-rooted challenges but are also shaping a brighter future for the continent’s economy.
