Evelyn Van Der Puije Delivers Social Impact Masterclass at the Yale Africa Innovation Symposium

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At the Yale Africa Innovation Symposium IV (YAIS IV), Evelyn Van Der Puije, President of The Countess Foundation, delivered one of the most structured and solution-oriented sessions through the Sport and Culture Innovation Lab.

Bringing together a diverse group of students, young professionals, and innovators, the session focused on one core objective: how to build scalable systems that drive real economic inclusion across Africa.

Reframing Social Impact

Evelyn opened the session by addressing a fundamental gap in global development. While innovation continues to accelerate globally, millions of women across Africa remain excluded from meaningful economic participation.

Her message was clear. The issue is not talent. It is access to structured systems.

She emphasized that across Africa, women are already active in informal economies, operating in agriculture, trade, and small-scale enterprise. The challenge is not creating entrepreneurs, but formalizing, scaling, and sustaining what already exists.

This shift from charity-based thinking to system-based development became the foundation of the session.

A Scalable Model for Economic Inclusion

At the center of the discussion was The Countess Foundation’s flagship initiative, 1 Million Women, 1 Million Futures, a structured model designed to move women from informal work into formal, sustainable enterprise.

Evelyn outlined a clear four-stage framework:

• Training in vocational and entrepreneurial skills
• Certification through institutional partnerships
• Business development and structured startup pathways
• Long-term systems for income sustainability

Participants were walked through how this model is designed not as a one-time intervention, but as a long-term system capable of scaling across multiple African markets.

From Programs to Infrastructure

A key focus of the session was the importance of building infrastructure rather than isolated programs.

Evelyn introduced the concept of Havilah Cities, a long-term vision to develop integrated ecosystems that combine education, business, housing, and community systems within a single structure.

These systems are designed to create long-term stability, ownership, and economic continuity within communities.

The emphasis remained consistent throughout the session. Sustainable impact requires systems that can operate independently of individuals.

Youth and Long-Term Development

The session also addressed the role of youth development through structured mentorship and creative pathways.

Evelyn highlighted the importance of investing in Africa’s young population by providing not only skills, but also direction, confidence, and access to opportunity.

With Africa’s demographic trajectory, she emphasized that preparation of youth will directly determine the continent’s long-term economic and social outcomes.

Interactive Lab Format

The Innovation Lab was designed as a working session rather than a traditional panel.

Participants were grouped and tasked with addressing key challenges including:

• Scaling economic empowerment models
• Improving access in underserved communities
• Expanding market access for local businesses
• Ensuring long-term sustainability of enterprises

This structure allowed attendees to move from discussion into applied thinking, aligning with the broader objective of YAIS IV to produce actionable outcomes.

Cross-Sector Perspective

Brian Asamoah II, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker and Founder of BeAuthentic Foundation, also contributed to the session, bringing a perspective on leveraging global platforms and influence to drive impact.

His contribution reinforced the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building scalable solutions across Africa.

A Standout Session at YAIS IV

Evelyn Van Der Puije’s Innovation Lab stood out for its clarity, structure, and focus on execution.

Rather than remaining at a conceptual level, the session provided a practical framework for building systems that can scale across communities and markets.

Conclusion

The session reinforced a central takeaway from YAIS IV.

Africa’s development will not be driven by isolated initiatives. It will be driven by structured systems that formalize talent, expand access, and sustain growth over time.

Evelyn Van Der Puije’s session provided a clear example of what that approach looks like in practice.

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