Amazon AWS Selects Three Nigerian Startups for Global Social Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme

Nigeria has emerged as one of the biggest winners in Amazon’s latest global innovation programme, with three homegrown organisations selected for the fourth cohort of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Social Entrepreneur Accelerator.

The selection places Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s participation in the initiative, which supports mission-driven organisations tackling challenges in education, technology, healthcare, and climate resilience. Africa contributed nine organisations to the global cohort, the highest representation from any region.

The AWS Social Entrepreneur Accelerator, delivered in partnership with Deloitte, provides participating organisations with technical training, business development support, strategic planning guidance, and access to AWS cloud and artificial intelligence tools designed to help them scale their impact.

The three Nigerian organisations selected are Sabi Scholar, Kayode Alabi Leadership, and Wetech Inc. Their founders are addressing critical issues ranging from access to higher education and youth leadership development to increasing women’s participation in technology.

According to Sabi Scholar founder Divine Iloh, the organisation is building an education technology platform that enables universities to launch online degree programmes within 30 days, potentially transforming access to higher education for millions of young Africans.

Kayode Alabi Leadership, founded by Hammed Kayode Alabi, focuses on reducing inequality by equipping underserved young people with leadership skills, education opportunities, and technology-driven solutions that empower them to become change-makers within their communities.

Meanwhile, Wetech Inc., led by Gabriella Uwadiegwu, is creating what it describes as Africa’s largest pipeline for women in technology by connecting training, mentorship, and employment opportunities to increase female participation in the digital economy.

Speaking on Africa’s strong representation, Jyoti Ball, General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Amazon Web Services (AWS), said the continent continues to produce innovators capable of solving real-world problems despite challenging environments.

“Africa’s representation in this cohort reflects what we’re seeing across the continent—a generation of founders who don’t wait for conditions to be perfect. They build anyway,” she said.

The selected organisations will now join a global cohort of 42 social enterprises from 16 countries, including the United States, India, Australia, and the United Kingdom, gaining access to advanced cloud technology and expert consulting support aimed at accelerating their growth and social impact.