The ELISA Business Network is a multi-sectoral initiative established by ICPD (the International Centre for Professional Development), an non-profit organisation based in the United States of America. Our work provides tools and resources needed to bootstrap business ventures. We support and train a cohort of high-potential entrepreneurs annually through the ELISA Business Scholars program and we provides a platform for networking and learning through the ELISA Business Portal and virtual Confab events. 

To understand the magnitude of this initiative, it’s important to understand the innate potential of the people in Africa. Even in some of the most remote and rural of villages, the indigenous inhabitants possess ancient wisdom, knowledge and skills that could potentially benefit people across the globe. The founders of ELISA envisioned a collaboration that would ultimately generate income to help sustain African communities by commercializing products made locally.

The vision for ELISA is to showcase and connect African entrepreneurs and leaders from across the globe, helping them learn from each other and transform their ideas into viable enterprises that create jobs on the continent of Africa. This initial vision has grown and evolved into what ELISA is today: an endeavor that connects entrepreneurs and leaders from across the globe, helping them learn from each other and transforming their ideas into sustainable projects that create jobs for the continent of Africa.