The Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF), in partnership with Jacob’s Ladder Africa (JLA), has announced the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the greenlabs Incubation Program. According to an official release, the graduation ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 10, 2025.
The statement noted that this milestone event will celebrate the culmination of nine transformative months where young African innovators transitioned from bold ideas to market-ready, climate-smart solutions. The greenlabs Incubation Program is described as a Pan-African initiative dedicated to nurturing the next generation of green innovators and entrepreneurial leaders. The program currently operates in both Nigeria and Kenya, underscoring a continental commitment to driving sustainable innovation and accelerating Africa’s transition to a low-carbon, circular economy.
The Lagos Cohort 1 journey began with a highly competitive selection process that attracted numerous applications from passionate young Nigerians determined to pioneer change. Following an intensive Renewable Energy Innovation Challenge, the most promising ideas advanced to the incubation phase. Over the course of ten months, participants underwent a rigorous series of capacity-building workshops, technical mentorship sessions, and business coaching activities designed to refine their concepts and prepare them for market readiness.
These young entrepreneurs did not only acquire technical skills but also transformed their innovative ideas into viable green ventures. The graduating innovators are unveiling projects that are redefining sustainability in their local communities. Some of the standout ventures include initiatives that convert organic waste into clean, renewable energy, deploy affordable solar-powered irrigation systems to improve food security for smallholder farmers, and introduce recycling and upcycling models that both create income and significantly reduce environmental impact.
Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, Executive Director of CADEF, emphasized the organization’s focus on empowering youth through innovation. “The greenlabs program is proof that sustainability starts with empowerment. This first cohort hasn’t just developed innovative ideas; they’ve created viable, scalable enterprises. They are not merely responding to Africa’s climate challenges, they are building the profitable, long-term solutions our continent desperately needs. This is the future of African enterprise,” she said.
The upcoming graduation event will highlight the achievements of these innovators while also showcasing the strength of the partnership between CADEF and Jacob’s Ladder Africa. Together, the two organizations are building a growing network of African change makers equipped with the knowledge and skills to address pressing environmental and economic challenges through innovation and entrepreneurship.
Karen Chelangat, Chief Innovation Officer at Jacob’s Ladder Africa, spoke about the program’s vision for future expansion. “Our mission is to ensure African youth are the architects of the green economy, not just its beneficiaries. The success of Cohort 1 fuels our commitment to further scale this impact. Cohort 2 will strengthen this movement, building the essential green jobs, green skills, and green enterprises that will drive inclusive and resilient growth across the continent,” she stated.
Following the success of the first edition, CADEF has officially opened the call for applications for the greenlabs Incubation Program Cohort 2. The next phase is expected to feature expanded collaborations across African countries, strategic partnerships, and new opportunities for aspiring green entrepreneurs. Young Nigerians passionate about sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation are encouraged to apply and become part of this growing network of leaders shaping Africa’s green future.