Empowering Local Communities in Africa through Social Innovation

This is the story of TIFIE (Teaching Individuals and Families Independence through Enterprise) a social innovation, not-for-profit organisation set up by Robert Workman in 2007 in the Republic of Congo, which empowers people lives. After 30 years as a successful entrepreneur Workman wanted a focus that would more profoundly change people's lives around the world; this gave rise to TIFIE.

During his extensive business experience, Workman had seen free-market concepts flourish in places all over the world, improving lives with fresh opportunity. He wanted to use tried-and-tested business and social innovation principles with a humanitarian ethos to provide sustainable change.

It was perseverance creating this organisation in this challenging, harsh social and economic climate of the African continent. However, TIFIE evaluated the market in Congo, invested the necessary capital and created Jamaa Enterprises.

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Sangeeta Haindl is a staff writer for Justmeans on Social Enterprise. When not writing for Justmeans, Sangeeta wears her other hat as a PR professional. Over the years, she has worked with high-profile organizations within the public, not-for-profit and corporate sectors; and won awards from her industry. She now runs her own UK consultancy: Serendipity PR & Media.