The Anzisha Prize is proud to announce a celebrated youth advocate as keynote speaker for Anzisha Prize Awards Gala for 2015. Alex Okosi, the force behind MTV Networks Africa, will be giving the key note address at the November 17th event.

Mr Okosi is the Senior Vice President & Managing Director of Viacom International Media Networks. He is responsible for driving the growth and development of the media giant’s Africa portfolio of iconic kids, youth, music, comedy and general entertainment brands on the African continent. His mission in Africa is to develop content and experiences that entertain and showcase the best of African entertainment, but also socially empower African performers and audiences.

Nigerian and African-born, Mr Okosi was one of seven born to a family headed by a civil servant. He embodies the Africa mobility story and has dedicated his career to championing the uniquely African narrative of a strong work ethic for success, with a special focus on youth. The Anzisha Awards Gala celebrates the best of Africa’s youth entrepreneurs and involves participation from leaders in business and the social sector in Africa. A panel of judges from across Africa with extensive experience in business and the social sector is also lined up for the Anzisha Prize awards for this year.

Mr Okosi is a tireless supporter of initiatives that motivate, empower and educate Africa’s youth. He has spearheaded pro-social campaigns that have impacted the social and cultural landscape of urban Africa. These include initiatives such as youth voter mobilisation and initiatives in which global influencers exchanged ideas with young Africans. He will be joining forces with Anzisha Prize this year to address African entrepreneurs and their supporters. His passion for and experience in building African brands that speak to youth position him well for this task. Anzisha Prize finalists and Awards Gala attendees will benefit from his contribution to the youth entrepreneurship dialogue and his advice for youth entrepreneurs who are have both the potential and the ambition to drive economic mobility in Africa.

Celebrating and showcasing Africa’s most talented youth entrepreneurs, the Anzisha Prize Awards Gala will take place on the 17th of November 2015 at Room Five Venue in Rivonia, Johannesburg. Anzisha Prize seeks to nurture, celebrate, scale and support youth entrepreneurship and catalyse the ecosystem that supports them. 12 young entrepreneurs have been selected in a competitive continent-wide process to compete for a share of $75,000 in prizes. The invite-only Awards Gala is attended by leaders in business and the social sector. In addition, members of the diplomatic community and representatives from educational institutions and entrepreneurs in various stages of venture development will be in attendance.

An illustrious panel of judges has been selected for the occasion to decide on which of the finalists will receive the grand prize of $25,000. The diverse, experienced and representative judging panel is comprised of leaders in business and the social sector from across Africa. These include:

• Heba Gamal (Egypt) – Managing Director of Endeavor Egypt, a non-profit organization focused on supporting high-impact entrepreneurs.
• Sangu Delle (Ghana) – An established entrepreneur who dedicates his time and energies to enabling other entrepreneurs, Sangu is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Palm Investments (GPI), an investment holding and advisory company focused on building world class companies in Africa.
• Willy Mukiny Yav (Democratic Republic of Congo) – Co-founder and Director of Pygma Group, he has 21 years’ experience in communications specialising in African markets.
• George Bakka (Uganda) – Founder and CEO of Angels Initiatives, George is an Anzisha Fellow, inducted into the inaugural cohort of the Fellowship in 2011 and a celebrated entrepreneur.

The Anzisha Prize is delivered by African Leadership Academy in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation. Through the Prize, the organisers seek to catalyse innovation and entrepreneurship among youth across Africa.
For more information on the Anzisha Prize, and to see profiles of this year’s finalists, go to:

Website: www.anzishaprize.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/anzishaprize
Twitter: @anzishaprize
Media contact: prize@anzishaprize.org