The War-Torn Entrepreneur: How One Man is Building a Startup Ecosystem in the Midst of Chaos
In the midst of a raging civil war, Yousif Yahya, the founder of Savannah Innovation Labs, has defied the odds to resume operations in Sudan’s eastern region. With over 20,000 people killed and 7.7 million displaced, the country is in shambles. But Yahya is undeterred, convinced that the key to Sudan’s future lies in its young entrepreneurs.
A Tale of Resilience
Yahya’s journey began in 2018, when he co-founded Savannah Innovation Labs to drive innovation in Sudan. But just as the incubator was gaining momentum, the war broke out, forcing Yahya to flee to Egypt with his family. Despite the chaos, Yahya remained committed to his vision, and from Egypt, he steered Savannah back into operation.
Building in Times of War
Yahya’s determination is not just about personal resilience; it’s about creating a sense of normalcy in a war-torn country. “The war is chaotic, but at the same time, we now have a clean slate,” he said. “We’re not waiting for anything to stop in order to continue building the stuff that we want to.”
In Pursuit of Talent
Savannah’s focus is on building a talent pool that can power Sudan’s tech transformation. Yahya believes that talent precedes investments and that the seeds being sown now will take time to bear fruit. The incubator has already enabled thousands of people to enter Sudan’s startup ecosystem and has fostered a number of startups, including Sudan’s first YC-backed startup, Bloom (now Elevate).
Not Saying No to Risk
Yahya is not afraid to take risks, even in the face of conflict. He believes that untapped markets like Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, and especially those considered risky due to conflict, like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, hold the key to bridging capital gaps. “If you need the markets of scale, you need to look at places like the Sudan, the Central African Republic, the DRC,” he said.
A New Era for Sudan
Yahya’s vision is not just about building a startup ecosystem; it’s about creating a new era for Sudan. He believes that the country’s young entrepreneurs will be the ones to drive change, and that the war will ultimately lead to a more resilient and innovative society. “A lot of people are speaking about the war, famine, and all these ugly things that are happening, which they rightfully need to be speaking about,” he said. “But on the other side, we need to start having the conversation of what that next day is going to look like.”
The Future of Sudan’s Startup Ecosystem
Sudan’s startup ecosystem is still in its infancy, but there are several players working to foster it. Yahya remains optimistic, convinced that the country will be a ripe VC market after the war. “A lot of these businesses, and many of the patriarchs that built them, no longer have the stamina to go back,” he said. “The new generation is going to want to come in, and they’re going to set up funds and advisory firms in the sectors that their family businesses have historically been.”
Yahya’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. As the war rages on, he remains committed to his vision, convinced that Sudan’s future lies in its young entrepreneurs.
