On March 20, 2025, Jacob’s Ladder Africa (JLA) proudly celebrated the graduation of its second cohort of green entrepreneurial incubatees under the transformative greenlabs program. Held at Deloitte and Touche in Nairobi, this milestone event marked the culmination of a 9-month journey for 18 talented young innovators dedicated to tackling the pressing challenges at the intersection of climate change and energy access across Africa.
The ceremony was a vibrant gathering of visionaries, mentors, and supporters, graced by JLA’s leadership team, including Co-Founder and CEO Sellah Bogonko, Co-Founder Bilha Ndirangu, and Chief Innovation Officer Karen Chelagat. Among the distinguished guests were Gladys Makumi, Financial Advisory Team Lead at Deloitte, and Michael Jordan Nyagaka, Financial Advisory Consultant. Also in attendance were incubation mentors Nina Mathiu of Namib Technologies and Samuel Wanjala of Citi Bank, alongside Sam Opar from Del Pro Power Solutions whose presence underscored the significance of this cohort’s achievements. The event was expertly moderated by Kevin Okwako, JLA’s Entrepreneur and Innovations Programmes Manager, whose signature energy and insights enriched the proceedings.
In her keynote address, Sellah Bogonko delivered an inspiring charge to the graduates, urging them to embrace their potential and reject complacency. “I celebrate you because many start a race, but not everyone crosses the finish line. You have, and that is a testament to your resilience and determination,” she remarked. “You are not average. Unlike many, you have the unwavering support of JLA—a network and springboard to propel you forward. Use it to constantly raise the bar for yourselves and redefine what’s possible.” Her words echoed JLA’s mission to empower Africa’s youth to lead climate innovation and drive sustainable economic growth.
The event showcased the ingenuity of Cohort 2 through a dynamic format. Guests were treated to 3-minute pre-recorded pitches from each startup, offering a glimpse into their groundbreaking solutions—from renewable energy innovations to sustainable waste management systems. A lively panel session followed, where the graduates fielded questions collated from the audience, demonstrating not only their technical expertise but also their readiness to scale their ventures in Africa’s green economy.
This graduating cohort builds on the success of Cohort 1 in 2023 which was the programme’s pilot. With Cohort 2, JLA has expanded its reach—supporting 18 entrepreneurs in just 9 months—and continues to refine its approach to cultivating a robust pipeline of green ventures. greenlabs aims to equip young innovators with the entrepreneurial mindset, business tools, and market knowledge needed to launch viable startups, attract investors, and sustain their businesses. The program’s impact is already evident: previous innovation challenges have drawn over 1,900 applicants since inception, with a notable 20% year-on-year increase in female participation.
Among the standout ventures from Cohort 2 are initiatives like EcoHyas, led by Teresa Atieno, which transforms water hyacinth into renewable biomass briquettes for clean energy in Siaya County, and Innishati, founded by Alice Mwaura, which harnesses solar concentrators to generate cost-effective steam for industrial use. These startups exemplify the creativity and determination driving JLA’s vision of activating 30 million green jobs by 2033.
As we look ahead, JLA remains committed to bridging the gap between Africa’s youthful workforce and the opportunities of the green economy. With 10 to 12 million youth entering the labor market annually—against only 3 million formal jobs available—our work is more urgent than ever. By fostering climate advocacy, green skilling, and entrepreneurial ecosystems, we are not just creating jobs but building a sustainable, resilient Africa where climate action fuels economic opportunity.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Cohort 2 and invite our partners, supporters, and the wider community to join us in celebrating and supporting these trailblazers and their climate innovations. Together, we are climbing Jacob’s Ladder—step by step—toward a greener, more prosperous continent.
