From turning plastic waste into sewing thread to championing sustainable agriculture and beekeeping, three alumni of the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship are now among the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellows.
Three exceptional alumni of the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship—Hellen Munyasa (Uganda), Christian Adoh (Benin), and Kalangwe Kapaipai (Zambia)—have been named 2025 Mandela Washington Fellows. Their stories reveal how bold ideas, when nurtured with the right tools and mentorship, can evolve into high-impact ventures driving environmental sustainability, rural development, and inclusive innovation globally.
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship, launched in 2020 and delivered by the Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre at Queen’s University (DDQIC), equips university students and recent graduates from across Africa with world-class entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and a global community, empowering them to transform ideas into scalable, purpose-driven businesses.
Hellen Munyasa—Turning Plastic Waste into Threads of Opportunity
In Uganda, Hellen Munyasa, founder of Helton Traders Ltd, is revolutionizing textile production by transforming plastic waste into sustainable polyester sewing threads. Her startup is reducing plastic pollution while addressing Uganda’s textile supply gap.
"The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship was a major turning point in my entrepreneurial journey," Hellen shared. "It gave me the tools, discipline, and structure I needed to shape Helton Traders into a scalable venture."
Through the Explore Entrepreneurship phase, Hellen mentioned that she was able to refine her business model to deliver both economic value and environmental impact, pioneering a circular economy approach in East Africa. After progressing to the Launch stage, Helton Traders began securing partnerships and preparing for regional expansion into East African markets, setting the stage for broader environmental and economic impact. Helton Traders has since attracted the support of prominent partners, including UNDP Uganda, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, and ClimateLaunchpad (EIT Climate-KIC), which have played key roles in amplifying its environmental mission and entrepreneurial reach.
Christian Adoh—Scaling Organic Agriculture for Smallholder Farmers
Christian Adoh, from Benin, is the founder of BIO PLANET TMC Ltd, a social enterprise that supports over 18,000 women and indigenous small-scale farmers with organic pest control fertilizers and training in sustainable agriculture. His innovation strengthens soil health, increases yields, and empowers underserved farming communities across West Africa.
"The Fellowship provided advanced knowledge in business strategy, product innovation, and leadership that helped me scale BIO PLANET into a high-impact venture," he said.
A dedicated mentor and JL MCF ambassador, Christian has helped hundreds of other African youth develop their business ideas, connect to funding, and launch purpose-driven ventures.
"The program gave me the confidence that I belong at the table where solutions are shaped—and that Africa's youth can lead global transformation," he added.
Program Coach’s Reflection:
“As Christian’s program coach, I was impressed that despite coming from a French-speaking country, he effectively translated his venture and vision for an English-speaking audience,” said Emma Naturinda. “I have seen him use this strength to mentor other Fellows whose first language is not English—helping them build confidence, refine their storytelling, and pitch with impact.”
Kalangwe Kapaipai—Empowering Rural Zambia through Sustainable Beekeeping
In Zambia, Kalangwe Kapaipai, founder of Kalkap Honey Enterprise, is creating income-generating opportunities through eco-friendly beekeeping while preserving forests and biodiversity. His enterprise has trained and supported over 100 rural beekeepers, transforming conservation into a viable business opportunity.
"The [Fellowship] helped me refine our business model to align with sustainability, environmental impact, and rural empowerment," Kalangwe shared. "It was more than just training—it was a launchpad."
Kalangwe’s efforts have earned him several accolades, including the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneur Award (2024),
ELISA Business Scholar (2024), and the Mastercard Foundation FAST Program Award (2025).
His work stands at the intersection of environmental conservation, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment in southern Africa.
As part of the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship, Hellen, Christian, and Kalangwe will attend six-week Leadership Institutes at U.S. universities, join a summit in Washington, D.C., and may participate in professional placements with leading American organizations. The Fellowship is designed to prepare emerging African leaders to scale their work and collaborate on global solutions.
Over the past four years, at least three other Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship alumni have been selected for the Mandela Washington Fellowship. This incredible achievement highlights how the Fellowship isn’t just an opportunity; it is a catalyst for young leaders to ignite change, drive innovation, and inspire communities around the world.
Â鶹´«Ă˝ the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship offers African students and recent graduates the opportunity to transform their ideas into thriving businesses. Through immersive training, coaching, mentorship, and access to a global network, Fellows gain the skills and confidence to launch scalable ventures with social and economic impact.
Learn more: /innovationcentre/programs/jim-leech-mastercard-foundation-fellowship-entrepreneurship
