Sahara Group has called on young Africans to transform the continent’s energy challenges into entrepreneurial opportunities during a leadership session at the University of Lagos.
The energy conglomerate delivered the message at the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Certification (EIBIC) Programme, highlighting the role of youth-driven innovation in closing Africa’s energy access gap.
For students and emerging entrepreneurs, the message was clear: solving Africa’s power challenges could also unlock new industries, jobs and sustainable economic growth.
Sahara Calls Youth to Power Africa’s Future
Energy and infrastructure conglomerate Sahara Group has urged young Africans to channel entrepreneurial thinking toward solving the continent’s persistent energy challenges, positioning innovation as a key driver of Africa’s development future.
The call was delivered during the 2026 Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Certification (EIBIC) Programme hosted by the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where Sahara Group presented a thought-leadership session titled “Becoming a M.A.D Entrepreneur: Powering Africa’s Energy Future.”
The event took place in Lagos on March 9, 2026, and forms part of Sahara Group’s broader “Beyond Energy” philosophy, which promotes innovation, sustainability and responsible leadership across sectors.
During the programme, Sahara Group encouraged students to rethink entrepreneurship beyond conventional business creation, urging them to develop solutions to Africa’s energy access gap, sustainability challenges and economic transformation needs.
The company also received the EIBIC Champion Award in recognition of its partnership and support for entrepreneurship initiatives at the University of Lagos.
Universities and Industry Join Forces for Innovation
The EIBIC programme, now in its third year, is designed to introduce students to entrepreneurship early in their academic journey and equip them with the skills needed to develop innovative solutions to societal challenges.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, described Sahara Group as a strong institutional partner supporting the university’s mission to promote entrepreneurship and innovation.
“We are delighted to have Sahara Group as a trusted partner on different projects as we continue to transform academic excellence in UNILAG,”
Ogunsola said.
Sahara Group representatives highlighted the importance of cultivating a mindset that goes “beyond energy”, encouraging young Africans to view the continent’s development challenges as opportunities for innovation.
Bethel Obioma, Head of Corporate Communications at Sahara Group, said the company’s engagement with students reflects its commitment to shaping the next generation of African innovators.
“Beyond Energy is about recognising that Africa’s future will be built by people who are equipped to think differently, collaborate boldly and act responsibly,” Obioma said.
Key Themes from Sahara’s Entrepreneurship Session
Theme | Focus Area |
|---|---|
M.A.D Entrepreneurship | Making A Difference through Innovation |
Energy Access Solutions | Renewable and distributed energy systems |
Youth Innovation | Entrepreneurial thinking among students |
Sustainable Development | Linking energy innovation to economic growth |
During the session, Sahara Group also showcased practical examples of energy innovation already reshaping Africa’s power landscape.
Students were introduced to pay-as-you-go solar energy models, which allow households and small businesses to access electricity through flexible payment systems.
These models have expanded electricity access in many African countries, particularly in rural areas where national grid expansion remains limited.
Youth Innovation Could Unlock Africa’s Energy Future
Africa currently faces the largest electricity access gap globally, with more than 600 million people lacking reliable power.
Closing this gap will require innovative solutions that combine technology, finance and policy, according to industry experts.
During the session, Ejiro Gray, Sahara Group’s Director of Governance and Sustainability, emphasised the importance of responsible innovation in addressing the continent’s energy challenges.
“Africa faces the widest energy access gap globally. Closing it will require solutions that are inclusive, sustainable and designed for long-term impact,” Gray said.
She explained that solving Africa’s energy access challenges requires multidisciplinary collaboration across sectors such as finance, law, engineering, healthcare and communications.
Examples of Energy Innovation Highlighted at EIBIC
Innovation Area | Impact |
|---|---|
Pay-As-You-Go Solar | Affordable electricity access for low-income households |
Solar Cold Storage | Reduces food waste and protects farmer income |
Bioenergy Systems | Converts agricultural waste into electricity |
Rural Energy Enterprises | Expands power access and creates jobs |
These innovations demonstrate how energy entrepreneurship can simultaneously address development challenges while creating new economic opportunities.
For students attending the programme, the message was clear: Africa’s energy crisis also represents one of the continent’s largest untapped entrepreneurial opportunities.
Building the Next Generation of Energy Entrepreneurs
Industry experts say that empowering young Africans with entrepreneurial skills is essential for driving sustainable development across the continent.
Programmes like EIBIC help bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world problem solving, enabling students to develop practical solutions to pressing societal challenges.
Sahara Group’s engagement with universities reflects a broader corporate trend toward industry-academia collaboration, particularly in sectors such as energy, technology and sustainability.
For governments, businesses and development institutions, supporting youth entrepreneurship is increasingly seen as a pathway to addressing Africa’s structural challenges, including energy poverty, unemployment and climate resilience.
The message from Sahara Group’s engagement with students was direct: Africa’s future energy solutions may not come only from large corporations or governments, but from young innovators willing to rethink the continent’s development challenges.
Africa’s Emerging Energy Innovation Ecosystem – Sustainable Stories Africa – Energy Innovation Series
Innovation Driver | Role |
|---|---|
Youth Entrepreneurship | New energy startups and solutions |
Renewable Technology | Solar, mini-grids and clean power |
Digital Finance | Pay-as-you-go energy payment systems |
Academic Partnerships | Research and innovation development |
Path Forward – Empowering Youth to Solve Energy Challenges
Sahara Group’s engagement with students highlights the growing importance of youth-driven innovation in solving Africa’s development challenges.
By encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and multidisciplinary collaboration, programmes like EIBIC aim to equip young Africans with the skills needed to design sustainable energy solutions.
If scaled effectively, such initiatives could help transform Africa’s energy access gap into a powerful engine for innovation, economic growth and long-term sustainability.
Sahara Group Press Release
