Mowgli Mentoring 10yr Impact Report

Strengthening
entrepreneurship
By 2050 it is
expected that the Middle
East and Africa will be
home to 3.4bn people
– more than China and
India combined.
World Economic Forum,
2017
The regions in which Mowgli Mentoring works vary in their history, demographics
and aspirations, but generally contend with low employment, a high proportion of youth,
high population growth, political instability and conflicts.
Sub-Saharan Africa has the world’s youngest population and will have to create 18 million
jobs per year to absorb new labour market entrants. The situation in the Middle East and
North African (MENA) region is equally dire, with 30 percent youth unemployment. 1
Mowgli assists commercial and social entrepreneurs within micro, small and mediumsized
businesses to move their businesses forward and break through the startup
years. We focus on empowering women, youth and refugees to take their place in the
entrepreneurial ecosystem.
THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Entrepreneurial
mentoring cultivates
generations of strong
leaders who go
beyond building robust
businesses, to shaping
communities, societies
and economies, primarily
through employment
creation and retention.
We need to start
empowering and
unlocking potential
earlier in life.
Empowering youth
entrepreneurs will
achieve sustainable
development –
entrepreneurs act as the
greatest employment
generators in emerging
economies. We need
to strengthen their
leadership to withstand
the journey ahead.
Where the state can no longer contend with the levels of unemployment, new
businesses provide financial independence for entrepreneurs. With employment
opportunities, youth have a stake in their society and have less need to migrate. The
resulting wealth and jobs benefit the economy, and enable regional and international
trade, dampening external conflicts. Human capacity development, through upskilling,
personal development and knowledge sharing, provides opportunities for marginalised
groups, leads to national development and enhances society as a whole. Meanwhile an
engaged community contributes to the social stability of the region.
THE BENEFITS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL MENTORING
Mowgli Mentoring contributes by selecting, training and nurturing high-quality
mentors, matching them with entrepreneurs and providing guidance and support to enable
them to set the foundations and develop their mentoring relationships. The mentors guide
and inspire the entrepreneurs, women, youth and refugee/micro-entrepreneur leaders,
who go on to develop themselves, their businesses and their own mentees. With a
unique, award-winning methodology and a high return on investment through the creation
and retention of jobs and subsequent economic generation, Mowgli is driving inclusive,
sustainable economic and social change across the Middle East, North Africa and
sub-Saharan Africa.
Kathleen Bury,
CEO, Mowgli Mentoring
1
Arab Youth Survey 2017
8