Francis Sani

Program Director

2023 - Current

I lead the 3MTT Programme across Nigeria. The 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative is the largest technical talent accelerator in the world. Birthed and led by the visionary Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, HM FMCIDE Our goal is to execute a programme that equips young Nigerians with skills, strengthens the ecosystem and builds the technical talent backbone that will power Nigeria’s digital economy. Our initiative has the potential to accelerate Nigeria’s position as a top exporter of talent and innovation to the world. Partners: NITDA, IHS Towers, Google, NVIDIA, Microsoft, MTN Nigeria, AWS, HP, Cisco, AltBank and many more. Building the generation of Nigerian innovators that will build the country of our dreams.

Chapter Lead [Nigeria]

2025

The Ai Salon is a global community founded in San Francisco to create conversation and community around the meaning and impact of artificial intelligence. We believe that consideration and input from a vibrant civil society is critical to successfully navigating this transformative moment in human history. I aim to build the community in Nigeria alongside my co-hosts and support the strengthening Nigeria’s place in this global evolution.

Technical Adviser (Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital)

2023

Portfolio: Technical Adviser on Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital to the Honourable Minister, Dr 'Bosun Tijani.

Principal, Global Operations

2021

Currently on an indefinite sabbatical.

Investor

2021 - 2021

MAGIC Fund is a $30M early-stage venture capital fund built by founders for founders. We back founders solving daunting challenges across the globe at their earliest stages (pre-seed/seed). We've backed 200+ tech startups around the world: Bank Novo, Payfazz, Frubana, Retool, CafeX, Py, KiwiBot, Muxy, Chronus Health, Mono, Oxygen, and many more.

Member

2021

Strategy Manager (CEO's Office)

2021 - 2023

Africa’s #1 healthtech provider. Committed to accelerating the continent’s transition to a data and technology-driven healthcare system. Backed by $42M+ from Tencent, Draper Associates, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, World Bank GEMS, etc.

Startups Team Lead (Interim)

2020 - 2021

In this role, I was responsible for managing the startup support team across the continent.

Accelerator Programmes Manager, NG_HUB from Facebook.

2018 - 2021

I managed acceleration programs at NG_HUB, a partnership between Facebook and CcHUB. In this role, I managed the Facebook Accelerator Nigeria, the first deep-tech focused accelerator in sub-saharan Africa. The 6-month research and mentorship-driven program was designed for innovators building solutions that leverage advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Internet of Things, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. I managed the tailored support we provide to the startups accepted into the accelerator. I worked with our partners and experts to help the teams transform their cutting-edge ideas/prototypes into solutions that solve real problems today and create sustainable business structures. Across two cohorts, we supported 26 teams (startups & students) : cchubnigeria.com/fbstart

Accelerator Programmes Manager, CcHUB

2017 - 2021

I managed Acceleration programs at CcHUB. In this role, I led the design and implementation of our acceleration programs. This involves working with early-stage and growth-stage startups to refine their products, business models and position them from growth. Some of the Accelerator programs I managed include; Africa4Future Accelerator: We are implementation partners for the third cohort of the #A4F accelerator; Africa's first aerospace accelerator by Airbus BizLab and GIZ. I led the design and implementation of this accelerator which supported 10 entrepreneurs from 7 African countries with 50% of them proceeding to the PoC phase with Airbus and GIZ. EFInA Fintech Accelerator: I led the design and implementation of this FinTech focused accelerator for 3 startups in partnership with EFInA. Make-IT Accelerator: I managed the support and growth of 13 startups from different African countries in the Make-IT Accelerator; https://cchubnigeria.com/make-it/. The accelerator was a part of the Make-IT in Africa initiative by GIZ (German Development Corporation) and was executed in partnership with Endeva. Next Economy Accelerator: I managed the end to end process of selecting and supporting 10 startups in the Next Economy Accelerator, executed in partnership with Enviu and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I also worked on a range of internal & external projects/initiatives executed by the Startup Support Unit and other practices at CcHUB.

Incubation Analyst

2017 - 2017

Engaged in the growth and development of startups in the Incubation and Pre-Incubation Units of the premier social innovation center in Nigeria. As Incubation Analyst, I was responsible for managing the startups in our pre-incubation program and providing advisory to startups in our Incubation program.

MASHAV Fellow

2019 - 2019

I was selected as one of three Nigerian ESO experts to receive training at MCTC across a two week period. The training focused on exposing ESO managers in Africa to the renowned Israeli technology ecosystem and facilitate knowledge transfer.

COO/Co-Founder

2016 - 2017

STUN Africa is focused on Enterprise Growth and Investment Engineering for startups and Enterprises. Our flagship initiative was an investor-startup meetup event focused on connecting startups with angels in their local communities while exposing the investors to business opportunities they could explore. I was responsible for identifying strategic partners and investors.

YALI West Africa Alumni

2016 - 2016

In October 2016, I became a YALI RLC fellow. Alongside 150 young leaders from 8 West African countries, I was selected for the first YALI West Africa Emerging Leaders Program Cohort. We experienced a breathtaking 5 weeks training on Leadership, Ethics and Entrepreneurship and I gained a lot of friends that have been critical to my journey and shaping my outlook on life & the search for purpose.