Ashoka Africa Builders is a group within the Ashoka Support Network (ASN) for African leaders, African Diaspora leaders and other leaders passionate about Africa.
Launched in 2004, the Ashoka Support Network is a global community of accomplished professionals and philanthropists who share and advocate for Ashoka’s values and vision, while unleashing their potential as changemakers. ASN members provide Ashoka with financial support while lending Ashoka Fellows and young changemakers their time and expertise. They join to give back to, learn from, and co-create with our community of changemakers.
With over 300 members worldwide, we have built a powerful network that amplifies our work. We now want to intentionally build a group of ASNers from and for Africa to accelerate our impact on the continent and build a powerful network of supporters who deeply understand the African context. Imagine what we can achieve if leaders from all sectors use their skills, resources, and networks to drive social change!
Benefits of joining the network
Engage with highly vetted social entrepreneurs creating positive change at scale in Africa.
Opportunity to serve as a Thought Partner for a leading social entrepreneur to help him/ her expand their impact. You will share your expertise for social change and learn in return. Engagement is tailored based on your available time and your interests in sectors and geographies.
Learn about social innovation and systems change
Invitation to selected Ashoka online and offline events and learning programs
Quarterly newsletters with curated content
Conversations with Ashoka Fellows
Build a network of like-minded successful business executives and entrepreneurs in Africa and beyond
The Ashoka Support Network has over 300 members and Ashoka Africa Builders are growing
All members are business executives and entrepreneurs sharing a passion for social change and a belief in the power of the “Everyone a changemaker” vision.
All members want to be multipliers of social change thanks to their “poly capital”: investment, network, expertise, and influence.
ASN/AAB Spotlight - An Interview with Alex Schaber
Ashoka is a wake-up call. I have learned that there are many opportunities to step into radical systemic change, to up my game and participate in shifting the dynamics of social inequalities, both in the social and business sectors.
Fabienne Serfaty
Social Impact Investor
Ashoka believed in the vision of Fundi Bots at a stage when I wasn't quite sure how it would all work out. The strategy and scale guidance, personal financial support, and community of Ashoka since 2014 helped create a foundation of leadership, intentionality, and learning at Fundi Bots, helping transform this idea into a fully-fledged movement...
Solomon King
Founder and CEO of Fundi Bots
I am thankful for the amazing support from Ashoka. You have been a huge part of my growth and impact!"
Regina Honu
Founder and CEO of Soronko Solutions
It is a personal nourishment to have the opportunity of working with such inspiring people as Ashoka social entrepreneurs. They are an inspiration for my own life. They help me improve my personal and professional journey. Ashoka is offering me this new journey.
Alejandro Gorodisch
President of Farmacity
Ashoka seeks to catalyze the citizen sector by adapting the venture capitalist approach. The idea is to search for budding innovators, to supply them with seed money and to connect them in a global Fellowship.
Founder & Managing Director of ZER Consulting Africa
Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
Founder & Managing Director of ZER Consulting Africa
Ms. Adeolu Adewumi-Zer is a US-trained actuary and business consultant with over two decades of professional experience. She most recently served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for Allianz Nigeria Insurance Ltd (AllianzNigeria), a subsidiary of the German multinational Allianz SE. A Nigerian and self-described Afro-optimist, Adeolu believes the growth and transformation of Africa can best be accomplished by empowering Africans to create measurable social impact and together generate shared value via purposeful growth and investment across the continent.
Chinedu is the Managing Director of Topline Limited, an indigenous company that specializes in Pipeline and Process Engineering services in the oil and gas industry with offices in both Nigeria and the U.A.E. He has a Mathematics/Economics degree and an MBA from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is also a member of various national and international bodies hinged on the energy sector and societal development. He is deeply interested in wildlife conservation and in shaping young people to become changemakers in their society.
Lea has many years of experience as a consultant at Active Philanthropy and Wider Sense, working with individuals and foundations on strategies and operations in philanthropy and social investment. More recently, she successfully set up a multi-stakeholder collective impact initiative to improve the situation of care leavers in Germany. Lea is also the Managing Director of Kara Impact Ventures, our impact investing vehicle. She studied Political science and international law in Hamburg and London. Lea cares about many things, but women's empowerment and participatory grant-making in particular.
Alex is the Managing Partner of Wohnbaustudio, a mid-size German real estate development company. Prior to this role he spent almost a decade working globally for General Electric in various management positions. Alex studied in Germany and China and has a Master degree in International Business. Alex is passionate about partnering with motivated individuals set out to change their society and environment for the better. He joined the AAB as a way to deepen the impact of his family’s philanthropic endeavours in Africa.
Ayo is the founder of Metalex, a producer and processor of carbon-neutral critical metals operating in Nigeria, Zambia, and Mauritania. More importantly, Ayo is passionate about supporting social change. He is a board member at Prison Rehabilitation Mission, a non-profit dedicated to assisting former inmates' transition back into society by providing skills training and access to opportunities.
ADEOLU ADEWUMI-ZER AAB.mp4
Celebrating 20 years of the Ashoka Support Network with Africa builders group member Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
Watching list
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ADEOLU ADEWUMI-ZER AAB.mp4
Celebrating 20 years of the Ashoka Support Network with Africa builders group member Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
Ashoka
