Building Bridges to Opportunity

The Social Impact Lab mobilises talent and technology to unlock dignified work and inclusive health for Nigeria’s youth, academics and health workers.

About the Social Lab

The Social Impact Lab is an internal unit of DPDAfrica dedicated to expanding access to work, learning and healthcare by connecting underutilised talent with the systems that need them most. We develop and manage non‑market initiatives that strengthen workforce inclusion, such as youth skills accelerators, academic freelancing programs, digital HR pilots for clinics and placement systems for nurses and midwives. By leveraging our digital platforms and evidence‑based research, we support governments, donors and businesses to build resilient health and social systems.

Our Flagship Programs

YOURISE
A youth workforce accelerator connecting young Nigerians—especially women and persons with disabilities—to dignified jobs. Through foundational training, internship placements and the Youthworks.1Capacity digital Marketplace. YOU‑RISE prepares 100,000 youth for the future of work.

AFREDIN
The Academic Freelancing Readiness initiative transforms university lecturers and researchers into high‑performing consultants. A bootcamp provides technical and business skills, after which graduates are certified and matched with projects on the 1Capacity platform to serve public and private sector clients.
T-MPP
The Managed Medics Pilot Program partners with small hospitals and clinics to implement digital HR systems. Using the Managed Medics platform, facilities improve staff scheduling, payroll, licensing and performance management—driving quality and accountability in care delivery.

i‑HEPS
The Integrated Health Employment & Placement System works with the Nursing & Midwifery Council to renew licenses and match nurses to private hospitals. i‑HEPS removes financial barriers to relicensing and uses data‑driven matching to ensure qualified professionals fill critical gaps in maternal and primary care.

Our Approach

Why We Act Now

Nigeria faces a profound talent paradox: universities graduate thousands of skilled individuals yet unemployment and under‑employment remain rampant. Health facilities struggle with staffing shortages, while nurses and midwives pay high fees to renew licences. By harnessing our digital platforms and proven programs, the Social Impact Lab bridges these gaps, converts potential into productivity and advances inclusive growth.

How We Deliver

We design scalable programs, secure anchor grants, and partner with governments, donors and businesses. Our integrated platforms—1Capacity and Managed Medics—enable flexible training, matchmaking and monitoring. Each initiative is supported by rigorous evidence and a lean operating model to achieve lasting impact at lower cost.

Our Objectives
  • Expand access to decent work for underutilised talent pools.
  • Strengthen workforce systems through digital tools and data.
  • Support governments to meet health and inclusion targets.
  • Generate and share evidence to inform policy and practice.

Get Involved

The Social Impact Lab thrives on collaboration. Whether you are a donor, employer, university or government agency, we invite you to partner with us to strengthen Nigeria’s workforce and deliver inclusive health and social outcomes.