Africa Impact Academy (AIA) joined the USIU Career Fair 2025 with one clear mission: to spotlight African-founded businesses and connect them with fresh talent, potential collaborators and new supporters. By highlighting five diverse businesses, AIA wanted to close the gap between organizations making real impact and the young innovators looking for meaningful work.
Held over three days on the USIU campus, the fair welcomed students, staff, and industry visitors all looking to discover new career opportunities and innovations. The AIA booth quickly turned into a busy spot at the event. Students would stop by out of curiosity then find themselves deep in conversation with founders, sampling products, asking questions, and exchanging contacts. You could feel the energy as new connections formed naturally throughout the week.
Meet the Five Businesses
Chanay Agriprocessors
Chanay is addressing food waste by transforming blemished fruits and vegetables into high-quality jams, chutneys, and sauces. Beyond reducing waste, they’re supporting sustainable agriculture and strengthening local economies.
Their popular mango chutney made Chanay one of the most visited booths at the fair. “I’ve seen your products on so many shelves,” one staff member noted. “Everyone is using your chutney.” The enthusiasm was evident when one student returned multiple times throughout the week, bringing different groups of friends each time to sample the chutney that she and her family had already finished at home.
For Chanay, the experience exceeded expectations. “I’ve been to many exhibitions, but this one is just different,” their founder shared. “I’ve really benefitted from this and I’m happy my business was chosen to take part in this.”
Wells of Hope Centre
Wells of Hope Centre has been serving communities in Kibagare, Kangemi, and Madaraka since 2011, focusing on daycare and education programs while running Wells of Hope Academy. They also economically empower caregivers through crafts and small businesses.
Their booth showcased vibrant beadwork, bags, and fabric crafts all handmade by caregivers from the communities they support. But it was their mission to support children with autism that really resonated with visitors. Students were visibly moved by their story. “Their story touched my heart,” one shared.
For Wells of Hope, the week was about more than showcasing their work. “You don’t know what you’ve done for my organization,” their representative reflected. “I’ve met wonderful people who are interested in what I do. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
Elevate SMEs
Elevate SMEs has been advancing Africa’s entrepreneurial growth since 2018. They focus on building capacity for women-led and youth businesses, providing trade advisory and export support, designing programs, and integrating technology for inclusive growth.
What caught attention at Career Week 2025 was their precision analysis tool that evaluates student well-being and employability. This innovative methodology helps students get a clearer picture of where they stand personally and professionally, and what they need to work on. The interest was immediate and several students signed up on the spot to learn more about the analysis.
Digiskool
Digiskool is transforming how schools operate across Kenya with their smart school solution. They’ve tackled the administrative burden that weighs down educators by handling everything from classroom attendance and real-time parent updates to finance, HR, and fee collection through one integrated digital platform.
With a notable number of schools already using their system, their impact was evident. One booth visitor mentioned that his child’s school uses their platform, which is exactly what drew him to stop by.
What really set them apart was their approach to accessibility. They offer flexible fee options, including partial payments or even community labor in rural areas, making quality education reachable for more families. Visitors were drawn into deep conversations about the future of learning and how local tech solutions are reshaping education in Kenya.
PayApp
PayApp was born from the need to simplify financial transactions, empowering individuals and businesses to manage money seamlessly from their phones. Whether it’s sending and receiving funds, AI-powered budgeting, or making multi-currency payments, PayApp makes financial management more accessible for everyone.
At the fair, they discussed new technology they’re looking to adopt, an idea that caught the attention of a USIU professor who offered his support in developing it further. “We’re proud to be part of AIA,” the founder shared. “We’ve learned so many things so far and are looking forward to learning even more.”
Reflections and Takeaways
The week made certain things clear:
- Africa is home to many impactful solutions, all working toward creating real change.
- There are plenty of people eager to support these solutions, they just need to know they exist.
While visibility and networking were important goals, what really mattered were the genuine conversations happening at every turn. Every business shared this same feeling. It wasn’t just about what they showcased, but about the people they connected with along the way.
Looking Ahead
African Impact Academy was proud to support these businesses in sharing their work and expanding their networks. As we reflect on the experience, we’re reminded that creating space for African-led innovation is not only valuable but also necessary. And we look forward to building more opportunities like this in the future.