At the end of the 10-month programme, Africa Impact Academy marked the close of its first cohort with a graduation ceremony held at USIU Africa. A total of 137 businesses completed the programme, with attendees drawn from the Kenyan cohort as well as invited participants from South Africa and Nigeria. Also present were USIU Africa interns who had been assigned to support some of the participating businesses throughout the programme. Each graduate received a certificate of completion, formally recognising the work they had put into the programme over the course of the year.

Graduating businesses have since been transitioned into the AIA alumni network, where engagement is ongoing to continue supporting them as they build their enterprises.

Meet the Grantees

Alongside the graduation, 10 businesses were awarded grants following a competitive application and review process. The grants ranged from $5,000 to $20,000.