The Mandela Rhodes Foundation has announced the four finalists for the annual prestigious 2025 Äänit Prize. Offered exclusively to Mandela Rhodes and Rhodes alumni, the social impact award recognises innovative initiatives making a measurable difference to some of Africa’s most marginalised communities.  

Now in its fifth year, the prize honours Africans who are taking collective responsibility for reshaping the continent’s future. The 2025 finalists – all Mandela Rhodes Scholars – are from South Africa, Nigeria and The Gambia, with ventures addressing critical challenges in education, climate change and technology. Each venture is aligned with one of the United Nation’s 10 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Africa.

The finalists

Dr Kenechukwu Ikebuaku from Nigeria (University of the Western Cape, 2014)

Venture: Mozisha

Impact area: Education

With over 375 million young people expected to enter the workforce by 2030, many in countries where youth unemployment exceeds 40%, Mozisha is empowering young Africans with training and mentorship to bridge the youth unemployment gap. Its apprenticeship programme equips learners with real-world experience, preparing them for a fast-changing global economy.

Ms Fama Jallow from The Gambia (Stellenbosch University, 2023)

Venture: Hisia

Impact area: Climate change

Hisia is a climate intelligence venture using AI, satellite data and low-cost environmental sensors to deliver real-time insights to smallholder farmers, NGOs and governments. It makes localised climate data accessible even in regions with limited connectivity, through tools like SMS, USSD and LoRa-based networks. Its AI platform, Akili, provides timely information on soil conditions, crop health and weather risks through early warning systems and disaster preparedness, helping vulnerable communities improve food security and build resilience against climate risks.  

Mr Ntsako Mgiba from South Africa (University of Cape Town, 2018)

Venture: JONGA

Impact area: Technology and data

Township-based small business owners face ongoing criminal incidents, resulting in inventory losses, forced closures, reduced trading hours and deterred supplier relationships. JONGA protects these small businesses with a simple, affordable and community-driven alarm system that features a compact, wireless, camera-equipped device with a three-month battery life, ideal for areas with unreliable electricity. Integrated with AI and WhatsApp, it connects directly to local security or emergency services, helping entrepreneurs safeguard their livelihoods.

Dr Sunday Ochai from Nigeria (University of Pretoria, 2019)

Venture: EduRise

Impact area: Education

EduRise supports conflict-affected Nigerian children with accelerated education, menstrual health and peacebuilding initiatives.  In a country where over 18 million children are out of school and 43% are engaged in child labour, the venture restores dignity, builds resilience and demonstrates that education is a critical key to breaking cycles of poverty and displacement.

About the Äänit Prize

The Äänit Prize offers up to USD100 000 in funding to support scalable initiatives, with a positive social impact, across Africa. This year added focus was given to intrapreneurs driving impactful work within existing organisations, across the non-profit, for-profit and hybrid sectors, recognising talent wherever it is found.

Ventures must be located in Africa, show sustainability, replicability, strong leadership and potential for long-term impact.

In 2024, the prize was awarded to Chido Dzinotyiwei of Zimbabwe and Ismail Dumutu of South Sudan.

Dzinotyiwei heads up Vambo AI (https://www.vambo.ai/), a cutting-edge tech platform that bridges African language barriers by offering multilingual AI solutions for better communication - to empower education, business and governments.

Dumutu’s venture, Asili (https://www.asiliafrica.co.tz/) empowers smallholder South Sudanese farmers to reduce post-harvest losses by transforming surplus fruit into organic snacks which are then sold at fair prices, providing vital income for healthcare, education and other basic needs. 

Judging and next steps

A total of 29 entries were received and, guided by a set of strict criteria, an initial interview process and presentation shortlisted the four finalists. A panel of five leading experts from business, healthcare and social innovation will select the winner – or winners – to be announced at an event, in Cape Town, on Friday, September 19 that will celebrate African leadership, innovation and the unwavering drive to create a better future.

‘What excites me about these finalists is not just the brilliance of their ideas but the courage to act where the need is greatest,’ says Judy Sikuza, CEO of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation. ‘Although the ventures differ and the projects are at different stages in development, these finalists show us that leadership in action can drive transformation across education, climate change and technology restoring dignity and opening new possibilities. It is deeply inspiring’.