The Future Project

What The Future Project does

The Future Project is a Nigerian social enterprise founded in 2005 and headquartered at 35 Adelabu Street, Surulere, Lagos, that operates a portfolio of youth-development programs across Africa. Its stated mandate is to build a network of empowered African citizens through inclusive enterprise and active citizenship, delivered via three pillars — Jobs, Entrepreneurship, and Active Citizenship. Core products include The Future Awards Africa (TFAA), an annual youth-recognition platform now in its 18th edition and spanning 23 categories; The Future Africa Internship Program (FAIP) for early-career professionals; YMonitor, an accountability-journalism portal co-developed with YNaija.com and supported by the National Endowment for Democracy; The Future Enterprise Support Scheme (TFESS), running workshops in digital marketing, graphics design and entrepreneurship; the Youth Leadership Bootcamps; the Nigeria Citizenship School school-tour program; and the Code2Create coding initiative in partnership with Microsoft Nigeria and the Zariah Elizabeth Foundation. A paid sub-product, The Future Consult, offers advisory services to external organisations on youth development and civic engagement.

Operationally, the organisation runs a hybrid event-driven and community-led go-to-market model anchored on the annual TFAA ceremony (broadcast on Pop Central DStv CH 189), a planned network of TFAA Hubs across 100 African cities, and recurring training cohorts staffed by staff and volunteers. The technology surface is intentionally lightweight — digital portals, a website publishing news and FOI resources, broadcast partnerships, and social channels (@tfaafrica, @AikiNigeria) — without proprietary infrastructure beyond the YMonitor accountability platform. Revenue mechanics combine corporate sponsorships for TFAA category awards (Vesti, Infinix Mobile, Dukiya Investment, Nigeria Breweries, Knorr), institutional grants from Ford Foundation, the National Endowment for Democracy, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, US and Canadian diplomatic missions, and small per-seat training fees (e.g., NGN 12,500 for Entrepreneurship Unveiled). The customer base is structurally long-tail: African youth aged roughly 15–34, segmented into unemployed/underemployed youth, aspiring entrepreneurs, active citizens, and young professionals with under two years' experience. Reported impact metrics, attributable to organisational reach rather than commercial throughput, include 200M+ African youth reached and $100M+ revenue generated by businesses spotlighted through TFAA over a 10-year window.

Name

The Future Project

Legal name

The Future Project

Website

https://thefutureafrica.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Future Project, founded 2005 in Lagos, is a Nigerian social enterprise running youth-development programmes across Africa, anchored by The Future Awards Africa (now in its 18th edition) and supported by jobs, entrepreneurship, and active-citizenship initiatives for African youth aged 15–34.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Civic Engagement Programs

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Educational Support Services (611710), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL), Community Development & Social Impact Programs (EDAIAGAA)

Keywords

• Youth empowerment programs
• Civic engagement services
• Entrepreneurship training
• Leadership development
• Accountability journalism

Headquarters

HQ city

Lagos

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Sponsorships and Partnerships: The organization generates support through corporate sponsorships for TFAA and other programs. Current sponsors include Vesti, Infinix Mobile, Dukiya Investment, Nigeria Breweries, and Knorr for the 18th edition.
2. Training Program Fees: TFESS programs charge subsidized registration fees. Historical records show N12,500 for Entrepreneurship Unveiled training. Digital marketing and graphics design masterclasses also had registration fees.
3. Institutional Grants: Support from foundations including Ford Foundation, National Endowment for Democracy, and The Tony Elumelu Foundation.
4. Government and Embassy Partnerships: Partnerships with US Consulate, Canadian High Commission Nigeria, and Microsoft Nigeria for specific initiatives like Code2Create.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Future Project is a social enterprise that delivers youth empowerment programs across Africa, anchored by The Future Awards Africa (TFAA), an annual recognition platform now in its 18th edition spanning 23 categories. It complements awards with internship placement (FAIP), entrepreneurship and digital skills training (TFESS), civic engagement journalism (YMonitor), job fairs (Ready. Set. Work.), coding bootcamps (Code2Create), and leadership bootcamps, plus a consulting arm (The Future Consult) for organizations seeking youth-engagement expertise.

Product overview

The Future Project is a social enterprise with a simple mandate – to build empowered citizens across Africa through inclusive enterprise and active citizenship. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs: The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) serves as the flagship annual awards platform celebrating young African excellence across 23 categories; The Future Africa Internship Program (FAIP) provides entry-level professional opportunities; YMonitor (with YNaija.com) drives accountability journalism and civic engagement; The Future Enterprise Support Scheme (TFESS) delivers skills training through workshops in digital marketing, graphics design, and entrepreneurship; and the Youth Leadership Bootcamps develop civic leadership. Supporting programs include The Nigerian Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders, GrassRoot Engagements, Africa Citizenship School, and the Code2Create coding initiative with Microsoft Nigeria.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Future Awards Africa (TFAA): Africa's most prestigious awards platform dedicated to celebrating young African excellence, now in its 18th edition
• YMonitor
• The Future Africa Internship Program (FAIP)

Products and services

• The Future Awards Africa (TFAA)
• The Future Africa Internship Program (FAIP)
• YMonitor
• The Future Enterprise Support Scheme (TFESS)
• The Nigerian Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders
• Youth Leadership Bootcamps
• The Future Consult
• GrassRoot Engagements
• Africa Citizenship School
• Ready. Set. Work.
• Code2Create

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10 years, spotlighted and grown businesses amounting to over $100 million in revenue
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VesticoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 September 2024Vesti, a leading migration fintech company, partnered with The Future Awards Africa through their Vista program to empower the next generation of leaders. Vesti endowed the Intrapreneurship category for TFAA 18th edition.
• Infinix MobilecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 September 2024Infinix Mobility endowed the Content Creation category at The Future Awards Africa 18th edition as part of their brand activation strategy targeting young African consumers.
• Nigeria BreweriesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 September 2024Nigeria Breweries ( Heineken subsidiary) supported TFAA 18th edition as one of the sponsors.
• KnorrminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 September 2024Unilever's Knorr brand supported TFAA 18th edition as a sponsor for the awards.
• Dukiya InvestmentcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 August 2024Dukiya Investment, a leading entity in estate management, partnered with TFAA to empower the next generation of leaders. The partnership supports the 18th edition awards ceremony.
• FourthCanvascoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 June 2016FourthCanvas design agency partnered for TFESS Graphics Design training programs including YES/WOW 5-day workshop with mentorship and internship opportunities.
• The Zariah Elizabeth Foundation (TZE Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2016TZE Foundation partnered with Microsoft Nigeria and The Future Project for Code2Create initiative to train 6000 public school students in Abuja with coding skills in Kodu, Minecraft, HTML and CSS.
• Microsoft NigeriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2015Microsoft Nigeria partnered with The Future Project for Ready. Set. Work. employability program and job fair. Also partnered for Code2Create initiative training 6000 students in Abuja.
• JobbermancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2015Jobberman (African employment platform) partnered for Ready. Set. Work. job fair and employability program, providing recruitment services for shortlisted participants.
• Social Media Week LagoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2015Partnership with Social Media Week 2015 in Lagos to present SME-Support Clinic 'Technology—The Fulcrum of New Age SMEs in Africa'.
• Red Media AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2015Red Media Africa and The Future Project co-present SME-Support Clinic for Social Media Week Lagos, with Red hosting the events at their offices.
• YNaija.comcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with YNaija.com to operate YMonitor online portal highlighting accountability and governance issues in Nigeria, supported by National Endowment for Democracy.
• Unilever NigeriaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUnilever Nigeria is listed as a partner with logo displayed on website, supporting youth empowerment initiatives.
• Channels TVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChannels TV logo displayed as partner, providing media support for TFAA and other programs.
• Ekiti State GovernmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEkiti State Government logo displayed as partner supporting youth initiatives.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tony Elumelu Foundation: Africa's largest private-sector-funded entrepreneurship development program targeting young African entrepreneurs. Directly comparable to TFP's TFESS entrepreneurship pillar and shares an overlapping target audience of aspiring African entrepreneurs.
• LEAP Africa: Nigeria-based social enterprise focused on leadership, ethics, accountability, and entrepreneurship training for young Africans. Closely comparable mission to TFP's Youth Leadership Bootcamps and Africa Citizenship School programs.
• FATE Foundation: Nigerian nonprofit providing business development services, mentorship, and training to aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs. Directly comparable to TFP's TFESS Entrepreneurship Unveiled training and enterprise support offerings.
• African Leadership Academy: Pan-African institution developing the next generation of African leaders through secondary, gap year, and entrepreneurship programs. Comparable to TFP's leadership development and youth recognition mandate via TFAA.

Broad incumbents

• Andela: Large-scale African technology talent development and employment platform. Comparable in serving the youth employment and skills training segment that TFP addresses through Ready. Set. Work. and Code2Create.
• Generation: Global nonprofit delivering employment programs for unemployed youth through training and job placement. Comparable to TFP's Ready. Set. Work. and TFESS employability offerings, but operating at much larger scale.
• Ashoka: Global network supporting social entrepreneurs and youth changemakers. Comparable in mission around building young citizen leaders, particularly through TFAA's recognition of young innovators and changemakers.

Regional players

• Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator: South Africa-based nonprofit tackling youth unemployment through skills development and employer matching. Comparable model to TFP's youth employment pillar but focused on South Africa rather than Nigeria/pan-African markets.

Emerging players

• Jobberman: Africa's largest online job platform and employability partner. Already a TFP partner via Ready. Set. Work. and provides comparable youth employment services and job matching across Nigeria.
• YNaija.com: Nigerian youth-focused digital news and civic engagement platform. Already a TFP partner via YMonitor and addresses overlapping audiences around youth civic participation and active citizenship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tfaafrica
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheFutureProject
• Facebookfacebook.com/The-Future-Project-Aiki-Nigeria-102639059868069
• Instagraminstagram.com/tfaafrica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Future Project