Summy Francis, a young Nigerian moves the entire African continent forward

Africa is on a run to achieve big heights in terms of economy. A change in the African economy is a reflection of young innovators who have come up with successful business initiatives. Summy Smart Francis is one among such innovators.

A Nigerian popularly called SSF is the founder of Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs, a Non-Governmental Organization that seeks to mold young entrepreneurs across Africa, ultimately solving the greatest crisis in every economy, UNEMPLOYMENT.

According to World Bank research, 11 million young people will be entering the job market each year across sub-Saharan Africa, but a large percentage will face unemployment. In Nigeria for instance, a study by the British Council revealed that around 23% of fresh graduates would not find jobs, as the number of graduates far exceeds the job opportunities available.

Thus, the idea behind Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E) was born, and SSF, alongside the Vice president of A.Y.E, Ibada Ahmed, officially launched the Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs Empowerment Programme (AYEEP) in Nigeria in 2014. With the title Africa’s young entrepreneurs empowerment Nigeria (AYEEN) that funded and developed entrepreneurs across Nigeria. This program has recorded several successes and its being embraced by other African countries and their respective government.

Today, Summy Smart Francis holds the title of the Most Innovative Personality of the year 2015 and he admits that growing A.Y.E did not come without challenges and lessons learnt. “The challenges that were surmountable are what gave birth to and continues to fuel the organization” he says.

He looks forward to the coming years and is confident that through the organizations’ initiatives and its newly launched platforms such as, Economic Development Team (EDT), A.Y.E Connect (an entrepreneurs APP), AFRICA 1800 and Business incubators; the mission of driving Africa into prosperity will be fulfilled!