Philanthropy

Trevor Noah in Conversation with Wawira Njiru

Skoll Foundation
Skoll Foundation•Apr 29, 2026

Why It Matters

The conversation showcases a proven, low‑cost scaling model for education‑focused NGOs, offering a roadmap for donors and entrepreneurs seeking high‑impact, sustainable solutions across Africa.

Key Takeaways

  • •Wawira Njiru grew Food for Education from 25 to 600k meals daily.
  • •Scaling relies on achievable milestones and community‑driven funding.
  • •Cashless payments and Africa’s largest green kitchen enable operational efficiency.
  • •Trevor Noah’s foundation supports local education innovators across East and Central Africa.
  • •Emphasizing small, measurable goals fuels sustainable growth in social enterprises.

Summary

At an Oxford forum co‑hosted by the Skull Foundation, comedian‑philanthropist Trevor Noah sat down with Kenyan social entrepreneur Wawira Njiru to discuss the rapid expansion of her nonprofit, Food for Education. The conversation highlighted how a modest school‑lunch program launched for 25 children has grown into a continent‑spanning operation feeding 600,000 meals each day, powered by Africa’s largest “green kitchen,” a cashless payment network, and a workforce of over 5,500 staff.

Njiru traced her journey from a scholarship‑limited university stint in Kenya to a grueling four‑year stint in Australian aged‑care, where she learned the stark realities of service work. She emphasized a philosophy of setting tiny, attainable targets—starting with 100 meals—leveraging social media appeals and community contributions to scale incrementally. The model now sources roughly 120 tons of food daily and aims to reach three million meals by 2030.

Trevor Noah’s own foundation, launched in 2018, was cited as a parallel example of venture philanthropy that backs local education innovators, expanding from South Africa into East and Central Africa. Both leaders underscored the importance of grounding solutions in the people closest to the problem, rather than imposing top‑down designs.

The dialogue illustrates a replicable blueprint: combine modest, data‑driven goals with technology‑enabled logistics and community ownership to achieve massive social impact. For investors, NGOs, and policymakers, the story offers evidence that scalable, mission‑driven enterprises can thrive without sacrificing quality or local relevance.

Original Description

Join us for a fireside chat between comedian and philanthropist Trevor Noah and social entrepreneur Wawira Njiru as they explore what it takes to unlock opportunity for young people across Africa — and beyond.
Wawira, a 2024 Skoll Awardee, keeps Kenyan schoolchildren learning through Food4Education's affordable meal programs. Trevor's Foundation equips South African youth with the education and skills to thrive. United by a belief that investing in young people is the most powerful lever for change, they'll dig into the role of homegrown innovation in solving Africa's biggest challenges — and what drives them to keep building.
Co-hosted by the Skoll Foundation and the Trevor Noah Foundation. Doors open at 7pm. A delegate badge is required for entry.
Trevor Noah
Founder
Trevor Noah Foundation
@trevornoahfoundation753
Wawira Njiru
Founder & CEO
Food4Education
@food4education
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