Reimagining Mental Health Through Innovation and Leadership
We empower changemakers to design bold ideas, lead transformative initiatives, and build sustainable solutions that shape the future of mental health care
Building a Future Where Mental Health Care is Human, Accessible, and Transformative
The Mental Health Innovation, Leadership & Entrepreneurship Center is a global hub anchored in Nigeria, dedicated to transforming mental health care across Africa.
We connect innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to co-create culturally grounded and sustainable solutions to Africa’s mental health challenges.
Through research, leadership development, and entrepreneurship support, we foster a new generation of African changemakers equipped to build resilient, inclusive, and responsive mental health systems.
Why we care
Because Mental Health Care Must Reflect Our Realities
Africa faces an urgent mental health challenge, one shaped not only by limited resources but also by a deep disconnect between global models of care and local lived experiences.
Too often, mental health frameworks overlook the cultural, linguistic, and community contexts that define how Africans understand and express distress. This mismatch limits access, reduces trust, and weakens the impact of care.
We believe the future of mental health in Africa must be contextually informed, culturally grounded, and locally led.
That’s why we work to empower changemakers who design tools, models, and interventions that speak to our realities approaches that honor our languages, values, and collective ways of healing.
Our Core Pillars of Excellence
We drive bold, evidence-based innovations that challenge existing paradigms in mental health, bridging science, technology, and culture.
We nurture visionary African leaders with the skills to shape mental health policy, systems, and narratives through cultural intelligence and collaboration.
We support mission-driven entrepreneurs advancing mental well-being and inclusion — from incubation to scaling impact-driven ventures.
Programs & Initiatives
Empowering Communities for Better Mental Health
Our programs equip individuals and organizations with the skills and networks to lead transformative change in mental health.
Conflict has displaced millions across Nigeria, families torn from their homes, dreams, and peace of mind. Beneath the surface lies an unseen crisis: three out of every five displaced persons live with a mental health disorder, and many turn to substance use to escape their pain
The Brave Heart project leverages an innovative task-shifting approach. It is an AI-powered, community-led and digitally-driven project that takes mental health information and services to the last mile – IDP camps and underserved communities.
The Africa Youth Mental Health Consortium (AYMHC) is a dynamic, youth-led network connecting advocates, researchers, and organizations across Africa.
We tackle the mental health crisis among African youth by driving research-based, locally led solutions</stron that center youth voices.
Read more about how we are transforming mental health through our ground-breaking research papers.