Cimentar Futuro Foundation (“Cimentar Futuro”) is a non-profit organisation initially founded in Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria, and incorporated in the UK by Fawaz Bello with the focus on laying lasting foundations for African youth and the diaspora through grassroots innovation, community infrastructure, and access to global opportunities. The foundation was established with a mission to equip the youths - in Nigeria, across the wider African continent, and in diaspora communities including the United Kingdom - with the practical knowledge and exposure needed for economic independence.[1]
1. Background
The foundation operates under the belief that many African youths and diaspora communities lack access to structured guidance and exposure to opportunities available to their global peers. Cimentar Futuro Foundation NGA was founded by Fawaz Bello, who serves as its director, with the aim of addressing this gap through structured development and support programmes, a digital learning platform, and community-based engagements. Cimentar Futuro Foundation UK was incorporated in Manchester, England, United Kingdom by Fawaz Bello. The organisation has reported reaching over 100 potential beneficiaries since incorporation, and is expanding its programmes across Africa and to diaspora communities internationally, including the United Kingdom.[2]
The name Cimentar Futuro is Spanish: cimentar means “to lay foundations” and futuro means “future”, reflecting the organisation's aim of building a better future for African youth and the diaspora on solid foundations.
2. Programmes
2.1 Development Forum
The Development Forum is a flagship event designed for the youths across Africa. It brings together professionals from various industries to expose the African Youth to diverse options and pathways available.[3]
2.2 Opportunity Blueprint
The Opportunity Blueprint is a podcast produced by the foundation. It provides guidance on scholarships, internships, grants, and other opportunities available to African youth and the diaspora, locally and internationally.[4]
2.3 Impact Content
Impact Content is the foundation's social-impact storytelling initiative, documenting stories of youth transformation and community development to inspire broader engagement with its mission.[5]
2.4 Community Hub and Learning Library
The foundation operates an online Community Hub offering free courses, toolkits, and an Opportunity Hub that aggregates scholarships, jobs, and grants relevant to African youth and the diaspora. Members who complete courses are issued digital certificates.[6]
2.5 Development Assessment Tools
Cimentar Futuro provides two self-assessment tools: the Development Pathways Assessment, which generates a personalised development roadmap, and the Assessment Accelerator, a numbered-question quiz mapping users to one of twelve profiles.[7]
3. Key Personnel
| Name | Role | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Tobi | Operations & Administration Director | Team Member |
| Faridah | Community & Impact Lead | Team Member |
| Olawale | Fundraising & Grants Lead | Team Member |
| Eddy | Programmes & Partnerships Director | Team Member |
| Abdulrahman | Communications & Creative Lead | Team Member |
| Fawaz | Information & Communications Technology Operations Director | Team Member |
4. Policy Research
The foundation conducts and publishes policy research relevant to youth employment, skills development, and education across Nigeria and the wider African and diaspora context, contributing to public discourse on human capital development.[8]
5. Volunteer & Partnership Initiatives
Cimentar Futuro actively recruits volunteers to serve as mentors and engages institutional partners including schools, businesses, and civil society organisations. It accepts donations to support its free-to-access programmes.[9]
References
- Cimentar Futuro Foundation
- Our Story – Cimentar Futuro
- Development Forum – Cimentar Futuro
- Opportunity Blueprint – Cimentar Futuro
- Impact Content – Cimentar Futuro
- Community Hub – Cimentar Futuro
- Career Pathways Assessment – Cimentar Futuro
- Policy Research – Cimentar Futuro
- Volunteer – Cimentar Futuro