The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) convened stakeholders in New York to discuss the future of its mentorship programme for young women in tertiary institutions across Africa. The meeting coincided with the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW 70), the leading global intergovernmental body promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The event brought together experienced mentors from Africa and the diaspora to celebrate their impact on mentees’ academic, personal, and professional development, while also engaging in strategic conversations to guide the programme’s next phase. Over the past three years, the ASR Africa Mentorship Programme has supported mentees across multiple institutions, fostering leadership development, career readiness, and long-term personal growth.
During the session, the MD/CEO of ASR Africa expressed gratitude to mentors, noting that the programme stands out as the organisation’s most impactful intervention due to its ability to provide young women with clarity and smoother transitions into professional life. The event also highlighted the outcomes of ASR Africa’s broader developmental interventions in education, health, and social development.
Pamela Morgan, guest of honour and co-chair of the NGO CSW in New York, praised the initiative for sustaining mentorship as a tool for women’s empowerment. Having attended the inaugural programme at UNCSW 67, she emphasized that mentorship complements formal education by providing practical guidance, career insights, and confidence-building opportunities. Morgan encouraged mentors to continue contributing their time and expertise while learning from mentees’ experiences.
A central feature of the event was the presentation of certificates to distinguished mentors in recognition of their dedication and influence. The ceremony underscored the transformative role of mentorship in shaping the academic trajectories and career prospects of young African women.
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Since its inception, the programme has reached over 200 mentees, with active implementations in Nigeria, Zambia, and Senegal, and planned expansions to Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and other African countries. The initiative combines structured capacity-building with ongoing guidance, aiming to nurture the next generation of leaders and promote meaningful societal impact.
Founded in 2021 by African industrialist, philanthropist, and Abdul Samad Rabiu, ASR Africa focuses on providing sustainable, homegrown solutions to developmental challenges in health, education, and social development across the continent. The mentorship programme is a key pillar of its strategy to empower women and strengthen institutional capacity in Africa.
The New York stakeholder meeting reinforced ASR Africa’s commitment to expanding mentorship networks, enhancing support for young women, and integrating diaspora expertise into development initiatives. By bridging mentorship with practical skills, professional guidance, and personal development, ASR Africa seeks to equip its mentees with the tools to excel in diverse fields and contribute positively to their communities.
Through sustained mentorship, recognition of mentors, and strategic engagement with global platforms such as the UNCSW, ASR Africa continues to demonstrate that targeted, well-structured programmes can deliver measurable impacts on leadership, education, and gender equality across Africa.
