About Us - AIRI

We are building Africa’s future, together.

Who we are

The Arise Intelligence Research Institute (AIRI) is the nexus of research, innovation, and community development. We exist to transform Africa into a self-sustaining powerhouse of talent, ideas, and ventures — a continent that no longer exports its best minds out of necessity, but nurtures them to thrive at home and impact the world.

Our Story

AIRI was born out of a dream: a future where Africa powers itself. Not a future where hunger, poverty, or lack of opportunity forces its brightest minds abroad. But one where young innovators, researchers, and creators can imagine, build, and scale solutions from Africa, for the world.
We are not just an institute. We are a movement — bridging research, innovation, and community to unlock Africa’s potential

Our Vision

We dream of an Africa that is self-sustaining, globally competitive, and thriving through homegrown talent, research, and innovation.

Our mission

To equip Africa’s brightest minds with the opportunities, resources, and networks to lead groundbreaking research, launch transformative ventures, and solve the pressing challenges of our time.

Our Pillars

Fellowship – Nurturing Thinkers

We empower young African researchers with mentorship, resources, and community to produce high-quality research that addresses real-world problems.

Residency – Backing Builders

We support early-stage founders with bold ideas, providing incubation, capital readiness, and global investor access to help them scale solutions that matter.

Volunteering – Powering Change

A movement is nothing without people. Volunteers bring AIRI to life — sharing time, skills, and passion to push the mission forward.

AFIA – Raising the Future

The Africa Future Innovators Academy (AFIA) prepares the next generation of innovators — preschool to high school — with 21st-century skills in STEM, Robotics, AI, and Finance.

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Founders who dared to start a movement

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Fellows across multiple cohorts shaping research and startups.

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Fellows across multiple cohorts shaping research and startups.

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Fellows across multiple cohorts shaping research and startups.

Our Leadership

The visionaries guiding AIRI’s strategic direction, ensuring our work remains bold, credible, and impactful.

Lewa Owolabi

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Lewa Owolabi is the founder of Arise Capital Management, Started her career in Cybersecurity and Tech

Fakayode Bisola

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Lewa Owolabi is the founder of Arise Capital Management, Started her career in Cybersecurity and Tech

Samson Idubia

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Lewa Owolabi is the founder of Arise Capital Management, Started her career in Cybersecurity and Tech

Mary Ndoku

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Lewa Owolabi is the founder of Arise Capital Management, Started her career in Cybersecurity and Tech

Lewa Owolabi

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Lewa Owolabi is the founder of Arise Capital Management, Started her career in Cybersecurity and Tech

Abiodun David

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Lewa Owolabi is the founder of Arise Capital Management, Started her career in Cybersecurity and Tech

Charlotte Mark

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Lewa Owolabi is the founder of Arise Capital Management, Started her career in Cybersecurity and Tech

Makasiaka Ugolo

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Lewa Owolabi is the founder of Arise Capital Management, Started her career in Cybersecurity and Tech

Faculty Heads - Department

The visionaries guiding AIRI’s strategic direction, ensuring our work remains bold, credible, and impactful.

Faculty of Economic & Policy Research

Focus: Macroeconomics, trade, governance, financial inclusion, and public policy.
Role: Provide data-driven insights that inform policy reforms, investment strategies, and sustainable economic growth.

Faculty of Science, Technology & Innovation (STI)

Focus: Emerging technologies (AI, blockchain, climate tech, health tech, agri-tech).
Role: Drive innovation, build scalable solutions, and mentor founders through deep tech applications.

Faculty of Social Impact & Development Studies

Focus: Poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, housing, and community resilience.
Role: Conduct human-centered research to tackle Africa’s toughest social challenges.

Faculty of Climate, Environment & Sustainability

Focus: Climate resilience, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and conservation.
Role: Shape green innovation and policy that ensure Africa thrives in a changing world.

Faculty of Science, Technology & Innovation (STI)

Focus: Startup incubation, SME development, business strategy, and venture scaling.
Role: Mentor AIRI Residents and AFIA cohorts, providing the business expertise needed to turn ideas into enterprises.

Faculty of Social Impact & Development Studies

Focus: Digital inclusion, cyber policy, governance systems, and the future of work.
Role: Guide Africa’s digital transformation responsibly and inclusively.