MIT has renamed its Legatum Centre to the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, following a major donation from Sayuri and Craig Sharper. The move signals a stronger push to back entrepreneurs in Africa and other emerging markets as a route to shared global prosperity. It also reflects a growing shift in how institutions view entrepreneurship, not as aid or charity, but as a core driver of economic agency, innovation and global relevance.
The announcement came during MIT’s “Innovation in Global Growth Markets” conference. The renamed centre will continue to support entrepreneurs through fellowships, research, and networks, focusing on scaling real-world solutions and shaping narratives about Africa and similar markets.
Since 2007, the centre has disbursed over $10.5 million in tuition support to more than 400 fellows from 67 countries. African entrepreneurs have played a major role in this story. More than 45 Foundry Fellows from 12 African countries have emerged through the programme, building ventures in fintech, health, energy, and deep tech.
MIT says 75% of the 286 ventures founded by its fellows are still active.
Under its new name, the centre will expand its core programmes, including student fellowships and off-campus boot camps, while forming more partnerships to raise capital and scale ventures.
The message is clear: MIT wants African and other global south entrepreneurs at the centre of the world’s innovation agenda.
The next challenge is turning this momentum into a lasting economic impact. What would it take to move from pilot projects to continental shifts? And how can ecosystems across Africa become more self-sustaining?
The conversation continues at the centre’s annual April 23–24 conference.
