Leapfrogging into the Future: Our Vision for 2024 and Beyond

We think of ourselves as a hub for impactful programs and services that empower youth and emerging leaders to become change agents in Kenya and Africa at large.

Kenya boasts a youthful population, with over 80% of its inhabitants aged 35 years and below . According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) 2022 projection, the youth population in the country is anticipated to increase to 17 million in 2025, 18 million in 2030, and 19 million in 2035.

The New York Times recently echoed this sentiment, describing Africa as the continent with the fastest-growing, youngest population. It indicated that by 2050, one in four people on Earth will be African .

However, despite the optimism surrounding the youth demographic dividend a few years ago, a sobering reality has set in. A recent Financial Times article branded Africa's youth as "The world economy’s biggest problem ," pointing to the challenges in capitalizing on this immense potential.

In this complex landscape, programs like LAPID emerge as beacons of hope in the midst of very challenging realities. Take the case of Jane*, a young entrepreneur from Meru who diligently acquired skills through LAPID and secured initial funding to kickstart her business. However, despite her determination and innovative ideas, scaling became a significant challenge. The elusive nature of patient capital hindered Jane's full potential realization, showcasing the uphill battle many young entrepreneurs like her face.

The issue is therefore complex and requires multiple approaches to address it.?

Our theme for the year “Leapfrogging Revolution” is an opportunity to navigate this complexity through thinking outside the box to bypass traditional obstacles to empower Africa's youth.

Our mission remains resolute—to address the root causes and consequences of poverty, empowering our youth and our communities. We're not content with alleviating symptoms; we're committed to empowering change agents who tackle poverty at its core, creating a ripple effect through generations.

Catalyzing Change: 2024 A Year of Transformation, Innovation, and Collective Progress

In 2024, our focus intensifies on innovative, community-based initiatives. Our goal is to continue engaging in collective action, where we converge to confront the intricate challenges facing our communities.

As we navigate the complicated web of social justice issues, we view complexity as an opportunity for thinking differently and innovation. Our journey transcends mere problem-solving; it's about reshaping systems and fostering a more just and equitable society.

We have a comprehensive approach in place that serves as the guiding force behind our transformative journey. Beginning with Lead Self , where we foster self-awareness and social-emotional understanding, our programs create a comprehensive pathway that unlocks individuals' inner strength to build solutions and achieve economic empowerment. Lead Self acts as the foundation, nurturing the awareness necessary to navigate personal paths before contributing to broader societal change.

The journey advances seamlessly to Lead Marketplace , a cornerstone of our accomplishments. Here, participants gain essential skills for marketplace success, cultivating economic development and supporting youth in becoming employable and entrepreneurs. This training ground sets the stage for our broader vision.

Enter Lead Africa , the pillar that intricately weaves economic development into the fabric of societal advancements. Beyond individual growth, our focus extends to fostering economic opportunities that empower entire communities. Lead Africa becomes the guiding force propelling us toward Civic Innovation & Community Engagement. By understanding our history and engaging in political education, participants unlock their capacity to engage in their community and create sustainable economic pathways. This pillar ensures that our success is measured not just in individual achievements but in the collective societal progress we catalyze.

The inspiring stories of our alumni exemplify the impact of this journey. Moses , for instance, is empowering his community by spearheading rice irrigation farming. Facing challenges like inadequate capital and unused land, Moses aims to combat unemployment and idleness among the youth, promoting self-employment. ?Owade , a startup founder leveraging blackfly to produce cheaper animal feeds, explores the lost foods of Kenya, delving into the impact of colonialism. Kevin pioneers urban planning through decolonization, embedding African philosophies. Morine , a storyteller, uncovers untold stories of communities. The current Lapid Leaders, adopting partner schools, showcase the ripple effect of our commitment to developing youth into civic-conscious change agents.

We believe in our youth's capacity to drive social change, and we aim to instill civic consciousness from an early age.

The pinnacle of our journey is civic innovation, where our young leaders become architects of change. Our goal in 2024 and beyond is to develop many more young leaders. Building on this vision, we have several programs lined up to scale up our impact in 2024. Leveraging self-awareness, economic empowerment, and a deep understanding of community dynamics, they will drive impactful initiatives, marking the culmination of our cohesive and transformative approach.

Connecting Passion, Marketplace Skills, and Civic Innovation in the Leapfrogging Revolution

In our relentless pursuit of a Leapfrogging Revolution, Lapid Leaders Africa envisions a bold, equitable, and sustainable Africa. As we celebrate a decade of transformative leadership, our commitment deepens in cultivating socially and environmentally responsible leaders, acknowledging that leadership extends far beyond economic prowess.

Embarking on this journey of growth and innovation, we weave passion, marketplace skills, and civic innovation into our leadership programs. This fosters leaders dedicated to propelling both economic prosperity and civic progress, providing participants with comprehensive acumen to thrive in both realms.

Dignified employment, a cornerstone of our programs , becomes a catalyst for active civic engagement, shaping policies for communal benefit.

Join us on this leap forward into civic innovation, redefining the privilege of campuses where civic duty and economic empowerment thrive in unison.

Be a catalyst for transformation, — sponsor a young leader, become a mentor or advisor, and collaborate with us on groundbreaking initiatives. Together, let's design and implement community-based projects that bring about positive change. If you're ready to join hands with us in the Leapfrogging Revolution of 2024 and beyond, complete the form here and be part of our decade-long journey towards a thriving, empowered Africa!

#LapidLeaders #10YearVision #LeapfroggingRevolution