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MIT renames Legatum Center to Kuo Sharper Center
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has renamed the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship into the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship.
MIT said in a statement that the renaming signifies a renewed commitment to accelerating economic prosperity through innovation-led entrepreneurship in growth markets, including Africa.
This transition is made possible through a generous gift from Sayuri Sharper (SB ’81, SM ’82) and Craig Sharper (SM ’80), whose passion for entrepreneurship and global prosperity aligns with MIT’s commitment to fostering transformative change.
Unveiled during the Innovation in Global Growth Markets: Prosperity Through Entrepreneurship Conference, this landmark shift underscores the center’s vision: positioning entrepreneurship as a driver of economic agency and a bridge to growth market’s (including Africa) full participation in the global knowledge economy. By strengthening innovation ecosystems, the Center aims to equip entrepreneurs with the tools needed to scale solutions that address real-world challenges while ensuring these dynamic regions emerge as global hubs for technological advancement.
“The generous gift from Sayuri and Craig Sharper will allow MIT to extend its impact across Africa and other growth markets,” said Georgia Perakis, John C Head III Dean (Interim) at the MIT Sloan School of Management. “Through this support, we are fostering a new era of entrepreneurship—where bold thinkers and visionary innovators are empowered to shape Africa’s economic future.”
Africa’s Entrepreneurs at the Forefront of Transformation
Since its inception in 2007, the center has provided nearly USD 10.5 million in tuition support to over 400 fellows from 67 countries, catalyzing groundbreaking solutions across fintech, healthcare, deep tech, and sustainable energy. African entrepreneurs have been among the most impactful beneficiaries of the center’s programs.
To date, the center has nurtured 344 student fellows from across growth markets globally, resulting in 286 ventures—75% of which remain active today. Additionally, more than 45 Foundry Fellows from Botswana, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Gabon, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia have engaged with the center, spearheading change across key industries. Their entrepreneurial contributions are redefining Africa’s economic landscape and reinforcing the continent’s standing as a powerhouse of innovation and opportunity.
With the unwavering support of the Kuo Sharper family, the center says it is committed to scaling its efforts—expanding research, fortifying entrepreneurial networks, and shifting global narratives about growth markets including Africa. The vision, it says, is clear: entrepreneurs are not merely participants in the global economy but architects of its transformation, pioneering solutions that drive inclusive growth, sustainability, and competitiveness.
“Entrepreneurship is about resilience, ingenuity, and the ability to shape the future,” said Sayuri Sharper, CEO of Kuo Sharper Initiative and President of KSF Impact. “At MIT, we have the privilege to support bold African entrepreneurs who are turning challenges into opportunities and leading the continent toward lasting prosperity.”
