non-profit organisation established to assist the development of the African continent, by providing first-stage funding for the feasibility studies and business development of large-scale infrastructure projects. The Network is a independent spin-off of the for-profit Made in Africa founded by Ozwald Boateng, the Ugandan Prince Hassan Kimbugwe, and barrister Chris Cleverly in 2006. Made in Africa
Network engages with entities that include international governments, multinational organizations, financial institutions, and private investors, to advocate for the continent and the network's supported projects, and to raise awareness of the economic changes taking place in Africa. The Made in Africa Network was established to provide finance for feasibility studies, support and development of African businesses, and projects involved in the development of major infrastructure projects across Africa. Our mission is to introduce a funding mechanism to assist successful businesses in Africa to transform their existing investments and prospects and to give Africa Independence through development and infrastructure. We must each work regardless of distance to ensure ALL Africans enjoy security, peace and prosperity abroad and especially in our motherland. SUPPORTING AFRICAN INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENTERPRISE
This Network's mission is based on Ozwald Boateng’s statement: “It’s a well-known statistic that US$400 million of funding for feasibility studies and master plans across sub-Saharan Africa would develop over US$100 billion of infrastructure projects, which in turn would create a trillion dollars of value across Africa. The first step is often the hardest and we have created this Foundation with Atlantic Energy to make that step easier for Africans. ENGAGING THE AFRICAN DIASPORA
In interview, Ozwald Boateng discussed African diaspora returning to develop enterprises in the region, and urged more to do the same. Central to Made in Africa Network’s objectives is to encourage and provide support for these individuals. The Network has made efforts to show that it considers African Americans - people of African origin – as part of its definition of the African diaspora, which it holds alongside those within Africa, as central to Africa’s growth story. At a network press conference on the “unification of the African Diaspora” was disseminated at the 9th Annual African Union (AU) Summit in Accra, Within it Ozwald Boateng stated:
“I felt that this [conference on unification] was important for me to be involved in for many different reasons, one of them is to allow African American’s to be part of this moment in history by inviting key African American’s to build a bridge between both continents - physically and spiritually… African Americans are a strong part of African’s future”. Made in Africa has previously linked with significant African American figures including Jamie Foxx, Chris Tucker, Mos Def, Isaiah Washington and Herbie Hancock to further advocate for this unity among African Americans.