TATU AWARDS TOP MANDELA WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP INNOVATOR

In line with its long-term objectives to support entrepreneurs and economic development in Kenya, Tatu City has awarded USD 1,000 to Carolyne Ekyarisiime, founder of Apps & Girls, who emerged the overall winner of the Mandela Washington Fellowship pitch competition that was held at the Fellowship’s East African regional conference in Nairobi between the 19-20 May 2017.

Carolyne, a Mandela Washington Fellow from Uganda, beat four of her counterparts to the top prize for presenting the most innovative idea. Her innovation, Apps & Girls, seeks to bridge the tech gender gap by providing quality coding training and entrepreneurship skills to girls in secondary schools via coding clubs, and to university level students at academic institutions. Apps & Girls also organises holiday events such as hackathons, boot camps and competitions alongside providing internship opportunities.

Speaking after receiving the award, Carolyne said “I am very thankful to companies like Rendeavour who support young African leaders and help them to grow to change Africa into a better place.”

Tatu City plans to provide the Mandela Washington Fellows with incubation space as well as provide mentoring in line with a long-term partnership with the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Reinforcing this message at the event, Andrew Rowell, Rendeavour’s CFO said “Tatu City is an inclusive development that requires many hands to build it. We have plenty of room for entrepreneurs and young African leaders of the current and future eras to cut their teeth.”

Rendeavour, the owners and developers of Tatu City, traces its partnership with the Mandela Washington Fellowship to the margins of last years U.N. General Assembly where it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to foster youth leadership opportunities that promote growth and strengthen Africa-based business and entrepreneurship, civil society and public administration.

Speaking at the event, Nicole Mechem, Chief of Party, Mandela Washington Fellowship at The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) said: “We are grateful to partners like Rendeavour who are committed to supporting young African ideas and innovation. Their support is critical to ensuring Mandela Washington Fellows are successful as they launch their business and social enterprises across the continent.”

About The Mandela Washington Fellowship (yali.state.gov/washington-fellowship)

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, begun in 2014, is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training and networking. In 2017, the Fellowship will provide up to 1,000 outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. college or university with support for professional development after they return home.

About Tatu City (www.tatucity.com)

Tatu City is a 5,000-acre, mixed-use development with homes, schools, offices, a shopping district, medical clinics, nature areas, a sport & entertainment complex and manufacturing area for more than 150,000 residents and tens of thousands of day visitors. Schools and businesses are already open at Tatu City, and a range of houses are under construction to suit all incomes. A Special Economic Zone, Tatu City represents a new way of living and thinking for all Kenyans, creating a unique live, work and play environment that is free from traffic congestion and long-distance commuting.