At the heart of every great mission is a visionary leader and Innocent Magambi is no exception! It is a delight to share the inspiring story of this alumnus of African Diaspora Network’s (ADN) Builders of Africa’s Future (BAF) program 2020 cohort, who not only led his organization to success but also masterfully navigated a transition to a new, equality vital entrepreneur venture.
Innocent’s story with ADN began in 2020 when he participated in our Builders of Africa’s Future (BAF) accelerator program while leading There is Hope (TIH), an NGO which provides access to education and income generating pathways to refugees in Malawi. His experience with BAF proved to be pivotal as TIH was preparing to launch Kibebe’s online shop to expand their market reach. As he shared, BAF provided crucial insights and helped his team develop a solid strategy for the launch, particularly around product positioning and branding. This clarity guided them to focus on products with global market potential, strengthening Kibebbe’s identity and growth potential.
But Innocent’s vision extended beyond the immediate. From the very beginning of TIH, he held a deep conviction that he would one day hand over its leadership. This foresight shaped his approach to team building, where every manager was nurtured as a potential successor. This cumulation of this intentional mentorship was the successful transition of leadership to Catherine Ndege Chirwa, who Innocent guided from Programs Officer to Deputy Executive Director, and finally to Executive Director. His advice for entrepreneurs considering a leadership transition is profound in its simplicity: “plan early, mentor intentionally, and don’t hold on too tightly. True leadership is tested not only in building something, but in letting it thrive without you.”
Now, Innocent channels his passion and expertise into Inua Advocacy, an organization tackling the complex issues of refugees rights at its core – through systems change and policy reform. While many address the immediate consequence of displacement, Inua Advocacy focuses on root causes: discriminatory laws, lack of integration, and structural injustice. Having personally lived in refugee camps for over 2 decades , Innocent brings an unique understanding of this critical work. He highlights the stark realities in places like Malawi’s Dzaleka, designed for 12,000 people but now home to over 56,000 people, who are often denied basic rights and live without the legal framework or support systems needed for dignity and self-reliance.
“I came away with a deeper belief in doing what I can, with what I have, to transform systems that keep our people—especially refugees—trapped in cycles of dependence. As someone who lived in five refugee camps over 27 years, I know the resilience refugees carry. But laws in Malawi deny them the right to meet their own needs. That’s what Inua is working to change. I simply cannot remain silent while Africans suffer under unjust systems, especially on our own continent.”
We invite you to learn more about Innocent’s vital work and get involved today. Visit www.inuaadvocacy.org to learn more and follow them on social media. For those in the diaspora,Inua has partnered with registered charities in the USA, UK, and Canada making it easier to contribute and receive tax benefits. Every donation, advocacy, or sharing their work, brings us one step closer to justice for displaced people.
Join ADN ADN on August 27, 2025 for the Builders of Africa’s Future (BAF) 2025 Pitch Day. We will bring together a dynamic group of global business leaders, investors, and the ADN network to celebrate the innovation of 20 visionary entrepreneurs like Innocent from across the continent and the profound impact they’re creating across sectors and the circular economy.
Support the African Diaspora Innovation Fund, a bold initiative aiming to mobilize philanthropic capital to support African and African-descendant social entrepreneurs with grants of up to $25,000. Click here to learn more and donate.
