BANZA July 2016 Issue | Page 75

Releaf’s five founders, listed from left to right: Emmanuel Udotong, Ikenna Nzewi, Toby Nzewi, Joshua Nzewi, Isaiah Udotong. Who Are We? Releaf is comprised of high achieving students from Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Duke and institutions alike. We are Gates Millennium Scholars, Gold Congressional Medalists and Harambe Entrepreneurs, but more importantly, we’re passionate about African development. The Problem BUILD TANK Forget think tank--The Releaf Group is a build tank. Started in 2015 by a group of Nigerian-Americans, The Releaf Group builds bridges between Africa and its diaspora by matching talented students in the UK and United States with Nigerian agri-businesses. The Nigerian economy has failed to adequately capitalize on the agricultural market. The proliferation of subsistence farming has fostered a competitive and ultimately counterproductive agrarian community. We call this agricultural inefficiency. The Solution Agriculture is 11 times more efficient in reducing poverty than any other sector in West Africa. The Releaf Group is facilitating data-driven, real and lasting impact by empowering the entrepreneurs with a passion for developing the industrialization of the Nigerian economy through agriculture. Get Involved Our team currently put us in the position to influence Africa's most relevant, ambitious entrepreneurs and we would love to see how you can add. If you have a passion for impacting Africa, please visit our website and contact us. Releaf with CEO of Heirs Holdings and Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu Releaf’s partners discussing cassava production with specialists at the IITA (International Institution of Tropical Agriculture) +1 646 875 8146 [email protected] Releaf.ng