Acumen invests in social entrepreneurs across the capital continuum and accompanies them on the journey to create transformational change. At Acumen Academy, we identify and prepare these leaders with the hard skills required to build scalable solutions to poverty and the harder skills of moral leadership to re-imagine and build a better world.
Our West Africa Acumen Fellowship is a transformative program that brings together a cohort of extraordinary individuals with an entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to solve problems of poverty. We equip them with the tools and community to strengthen their leadership, scale their impact, and create meaningful change in West Africa.
West Africa is at a crossroads, with socio-political issues like conflict, insecurity, corruption, increased inflation, bad governance, and the economic fallout of COVID-19 deepening poverty in the region. Our Fellows are building solutions that redefine Education, Workforce Development, Agriculture, Energy Healthcare, and more. Solutions that cultivate dignity and present the greatest hope for the future of our society and our planet.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Acumen Fellowship program, you must meet the following criteria:
- You are a social entrepreneur or senior decision-maker solving poverty problems.
- You have 5 years of work experience (minimum) and are able to demonstrate commitment towards solving issues of poverty. On average our Fellows have 10-15 years of work experience with 10 years working on problems of poverty.
- You have a reliable internet connection and will be fully available to participate throughout the entirety of the program.
Offered Benefits
Benefits of joining the fellowship include:
- Acumen invests in social entrepreneurs, providing them with tools and support to create transformational change.
- The West Africa Acumen Fellowship equips participants with leadership skills and a community to scale their impact.
- Fellows are prepared to address major challenges in sectors like education, agriculture, and healthcare.
- Participants gain self-awareness, improved team leadership, and the ability to negotiate and navigate values in tension.
- Upon completion, Fellows join the Foundry, gaining access to a global community, mentorship, and funding opportunities.
