about LEAD International

YOU ARE THE ANSWER.

Women of several local LEAD-recognized processing associations promoting trail-mixes, fruit juices and jams for retail consumption at a local LEAD Open House, Ziguinchor, Senegal.

LEAD is a proven success in seeing fundamental business development flourish in West Africa. If you are tired of throwing money at the problem of poverty, and want to stand with sustainable business creation, you are the kind of person who supports this cause.
Donate now.

LEAD International is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that empowers the poor to alleviate poverty through entrepreneurship. LEAD invests in long-term training, partnership, mentorship, sustainable business development and capitalization. LEAD serves to cause a ripple effect through job creation, enhancing lifestyles and giving people the hope of contributing to their own future.

Woman splitting cashews at the ElyBee Cashew Processing Company, Boutoute, Senegal.

LEAD applies the resources you provide to develop grassroots, indigenously owned agri-processing businesses. Utilizing what is available and expanding the abilities and capacity of business people, LEAD fosters the development of products from farm to retail. Through adding value, LEAD helps nationals in Africa create profitable, job-creating businesses.

The staff of LEAD is exceptional at finding and creating business models, testing those models, and implementing business strategies. We train and mentor workers, and eventually capitalize indigenously owned businesses. We assist local producers to bring their product to retail. Thus, rather than earning 10% of the retail value, they gain between 40-60% of the retail value of goods sold. In the end, this approach directly empowers people to help themselves.

We create businesses... businesses create jobs.