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!