Student-led startups demonstrate the transformative potential of youth innovation through the Accelerating Student-Led Innovation in Africa (ASLIA) Programme
Student entrepreneurs under the Accelerating Student-Led Innovation in Africa (ASLIA) Programme showcased innovative solutions with the potential to address real-world challenges during a visit by British Council Chief Executive Officer, MacDonald Scott, at Strathmore University.
The showcase brought together students, university leaders, mentors and programme partners to celebrate the progress of student-led ventures that are being nurtured through structured mentorship, capacity building, incubation and cross-border collaboration.
ASLIA is a collaborative venture development initiative funded by the British Council and implemented in partnership with Imperial College London, @iBizAfrica-Strathmore University and Circle Innovation. The programme supports student-led startups from Kenya and South Africa as they transition from ideation to commercialisation through comprehensive entrepreneurial support systems.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Scott commended the students for their creativity, passion and entrepreneurial mindset, noting that their innovations demonstrate the immense potential of Africa’s young people to drive economic transformation.
“The propositions and ideas we saw today are truly inspiring. They look practical, impactful and I could see the entrepreneurial drive and passion in every student team as they proudly presented what they have built,” said MacDonald Scott, Chief Executive Officer of the British Council. “I encourage every group to continue pushing forward because there is real potential in what you are creating.”
Mr. Scott further highlighted the importance of strengthening innovation ecosystems that support young entrepreneurs beyond education alone.
“Every country is investing heavily in education because we believe it is key to creating opportunities and driving employment. Yet, one of the greatest challenges globally is how to make the innovation ecosystem work effectively. What we have seen here is an excellent example of a model that is working—bringing together infrastructure, mentorship, networking and support systems that young innovators need to succeed,” he said.
The event also underscored @iBizAfrica-Strathmore University’s long-standing commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship through its innovation ecosystem. Speaking at the event, Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iBizAfica and @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University, reflected on the journey that led to the establishment of the University’s incubation initiatives and the importance of creating opportunities for young innovators.
“For many years, I watched talented young people graduate with brilliant ideas and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, yet many lacked the support needed to transform those ideas into sustainable businesses,” said Dr. Sevilla. “That realization inspired us to establish an incubation hub at Strathmore more than fourteen years ago, creating a platform where young entrepreneurs could receive the training, mentorship, networks and resources necessary to bring their innovations to market.”
Dr. Sevilla noted that the innovations showcased during the visit exemplify the impact of collaborative partnerships in empowering the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
“Today, we have seen only a few examples of the remarkable ideas being developed by our students. With the right support, these innovations can become successful enterprises that create jobs, generate wealth and even expand beyond our borders into regional and global markets. Some of these young innovators are already envisioning solutions that can scale across Africa and internationally, which is truly exciting,” he added.
He further expressed appreciation to the British Council, Imperial College London and Circle Innovation for their continued partnership in advancing student entrepreneurship.
“We are grateful for this collaboration because together we are doing something meaningful—supporting young entrepreneurs, creating opportunities and contributing to economic growth and prosperity. We look forward to strengthening this partnership in the years ahead,” Dr. Sevilla said.
The ASLIA Programme is designed to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems within higher education institutions by equipping students with the skills, networks and resources needed to launch and scale sustainable ventures. Through collaboration between institutions in Kenya and South Africa, the initiative also promotes cross-border learning, innovation and knowledge exchange.
The student projects showcased during the visit spanned diverse sectors, addressing pressing social, environmental and economic challenges while demonstrating strong potential for commercial viability and long-term impact.
The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of all partners to empowering young innovators and positioning higher education institutions as catalysts for entrepreneurship, job creation and sustainable development across Africa.
About the ASLIA Programme
The Accelerating Student-Led Innovation in Africa (ASLIA) Programme is a collaborative venture development initiative funded by the British Council and implemented in partnership with Imperial College London, @iBizAfrica-Strathmore University and Circle Innovation. The programme supports student-led startups from Kenya and South Africa to transition from ideation to commercialisation through structured capacity building, mentorship and incubation support.