Nigerian entrepreneur wins grand prize in annual Anzisha awards

Nigerian entrepreneur Chris Kwekowe, 22, has won the $25,000 grand prize in the fifth annual Anzisha Prize awards.

Kwekowe is the founder of Slatecube, a job-placement services company that also includes a job-relevant skills learning platform.

The Anzisha Awards, which honor Africa's young entrepreneurs, were presented recently in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“I did not believe that I could have won the prize when the competition started, but I feel confident in what I can achieve now, given the capital and training that I have received through the Anzisha Prize," Kwekowe said. "I congratulate all the other finalists, as I believe they were all very impressive and look forward to engaging them as we support each other to grow going forward.”

Kwekowe said he developed Slatecube to create more job access for youths by creating an interactive platform through which they could build skills for employment and be connected with virtual internship opportunities.

First runner-up for the award was Fintech entrepreneur Fabrice Alomo, 22, of Cameroon; fashion entrepreneur Mabel Suglo, 22, of Ghana, was second runner-up. They received $15,000 and $12,500 prizes, respectively.

"Over the past five years, we have seen the Anzisha Prize evolve from a one-time prize for social entrepreneurship, to an entire community of young, innovative leaders across Africa who have access to comprehensive support and networking opportunities,” Koffi Assouan, program manager for youth livelihoods at the MasterCard Foundation, said. “I continue to be impressed by the caliber of youth entrepreneurs that Africa has to offer and congratulate them on their ability to inspire both ourselves and the rest of the continent.”