#98: Spotlighting and Supporting African-led Social Ventures

Did you know that social impact ventures founded by expats typically grow twice as fast as comparable ventures led by local Africans? Listen to how our guest is working to change that.  In this episode of the Social Change Leaders Podcast, we talk with Evan, the co-founder of Mighty Ally Institute, a nonprofit training institute that equips African-led, early-stage social ventures for growth through brand workshops, tools and coaching.  Evan shares her passion for supporting African-led social ventures that are typically unseen, unheard and underfunded. In this episode we: 

• Hear about Evan’s background in Kenya and her early understanding of African brands and the culture surrounding business promotion

• Hear how Evan discovered that early-stage entrepreneurs and brands in Africa were unseen, unheard and unserved and how the Mighty Ally Institute is helping fill a gap

•  Understand Evan’s work to change the narrative of African brands on the ‘micro-level’ in order to have an impact on a ‘macro-level’ 

• Hear how Evan and her team are supporting early stage entrepreneurs with local, long-term, peer-based workshops that utilize coaching 

• Learn about the funding challenges that existed because African brands did not speak the ‘language of fundraising’ 

• Hear what the the “4-A Framework’ (Ambition, Approach, Application, Alignment) is and how it is used with African brands seeking to have a social impact 

• Discover how accelerators are used to leverage funds and support African brands 

• Hear Evan’s advice for fellow social change leaders about getting started, getting clear on the problem and the importance of focus

More About Evan Wanjiru

Evan is the co-founder of Mighty Ally Institute, a nonprofit training institute that equips African-led, early-stage social ventures for growth through brand workshops, tools and coaching.

She previously, headed marketing and comms at various private sector organisations and has a strong background in collecting and actioning customer insights, cultivated during her time as head of the qualitative department at TNS RMS in Nairobi. She more recently worked with and helped support many early-stage entrepreneurs in the East African region at SHONA, an accelerator based in Kampala,

Evan is passionate about ensuring African-led ventures and brands are seen and heard, particularly those involved in creating a positive impact on society.

Connect with Evan on LinkedIn.