In 2015, at the Vatican, an unlikely alliance was born. Cisco, the tech giant synonymous with Silicon Valley innovation, met the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance, a collective of Africa’s brightest entrepreneurial minds. What began as a gesture of goodwill has since evolved into a bold, decade-long partnership shaping the trajectory of African innovation and opportunity.
Building More Than Just Ventures
For Cisco, it was never just about writing a check. From the start, the company invested in infrastructure, building robust governance, financial discipline, and operational muscle that transformed Harambe from an ambitious network into a credible force on the continent. This foundation drew support from heavyweight global players like First National Bank and Oppenheimer Generations Philanthropies, signaling confidence in the Alliance’s vision.
Brian Tippens, Cisco’s Senior Vice President, puts it simply: “At Cisco, we believe that human-centered innovation is the cornerstone of sustainable progress. Our partnership with Harambe reflects our commitment to investing not just in technology, but in people and ecosystems that drive real, lasting impact across Africa.”
Financing Africa’s Boldest Builders
At the heart of this partnership lies the Harambeans Prosperity Fund, a co-investment vehicle with $1.5 million deployed across 15 startups tackling some of Africa’s toughest challenges. Think Lula in South Africa, offering affordable, safe transport to workers; Shyft Power Solutions in Nigeria, lighting up communities with clean energy; and Pezesha in Kenya, opening financial doors for small businesses.
The Fund’s debut investment, a $100,000 loan to agritech innovator Releaf, wasn’t just repaid, it came back early, with interest. That early success has become a beacon, signaling that African entrepreneurs are not only visionary but business-savvy, capable of scaling solutions that matter.
Numbers That Speak Volumes
The impact is tangible: over 23,000 jobs created, and 2.1 million underserved customers now reached. These ventures don’t just tick boxes, they’re advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals while rewriting what’s possible for a continent too often overlooked.
Knowledge is Power: The Harambeans Lab
In 2023, the partnership deepened further with the launch of the Harambeans Lab (H-Lab), in collaboration with Schmidt Futures, Eric Schmidt’s philanthropic initiative. This online platform distills the lessons of Harambean founders, spreading knowledge to the next generation through institutions like the African Leadership Academy and the Allan Gray Fellowship.
From Philanthropy to Strategic Partnership
Now, Cisco’s role is evolving beyond the philanthropic. It’s a strategic partner, tapping into market intelligence, scouting acquisition opportunities, and amplifying its footprint across Africa’s innovation landscape. For Cisco’s employees and clients, involvement in events like the Harambeans Global Summit offers a front-row seat to the continent’s entrepreneurial revolution.
Returning to Rome: Rekindling the Flame
The 2025 Harambeans Rome Forum will bring Cisco back to the Vatican, closing a powerful first decade and igniting the next. For Harambe’s Founder and Chairman, Okendo Lewis-Gayle, it’s a moment charged with both reflection and responsibility:
“Our partnership with Cisco began under the Vatican’s dome, a place where vision meets timeless values. Together, we’ve lit a torch for African innovation that now burns brighter than ever. Returning to Rome during the Jubilee Year, a sacred time of renewal and recommitment, reminds us that great missions move in cycles, not lines.”