By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Goodwall is a global platform founded by Omar and Taha
Bawa, empowering young people around the world. Originally a humble blog,
Goodwall has grown to connect over 2 million young people across 150 countries.
In this insightful interview, Omar and Taha share their inspiring journey, the
transformative impact of Goodwall, and their vision for a future where every
young person has the opportunity to thrive.
Can you share your background and what inspired you to co-found Goodwall?
Omar: Taha and I were raised in a humanitarian family. Our father dedicated over 30 years to the UNHCR, and our mother was the first female employee at The Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria. This upbringing instilled in us a deep desire to make a meaningful impact.
We spent our summers in refugee camps, and I remember giving out candy to kids who had lost everything in the horrors of war. Realizing the stark contrast in opportunities between us and these resilient young children was one of the experiences that motivated us to create positive change.
Years later, during the rise of social networking, Taha and I recognized its potential for global impact. We decided to explore how technology could bridge gaps and connect people on an unprecedented scale. Inspired by our experiences, we founded Goodwall as a platform to empower youth and break down barriers.
What is the core mission and vision of Goodwall, and how has it evolved since its inception?
Taha: The roots of Goodwall trace back to End Ignorance, a blog Omar created in 2012 to shed light on global crises. From that seed, we expanded the concept into a social network, launching it as a website before developing it as a mobile-first platform.
Our core mission is to level the playing field for youth worldwide. Goodwall has grown to support over 2 million young people in more than 150 countries, and we are dedicated to helping them build skills and connect to learning and earning opportunities. We've forged partnerships with leading corporations, organizations like the UN, and governments to develop programs to upskill and mobilize youth to take action in areas like sustainability, education, and health.
From a humble blog, Goodwall has evolved into a platform that empowers youth globally, and we're excited about the positive impact it continues to make.
Goodwall has made a significant impact on youth empowerment. Could you share some inspiring stories or examples of how it has positively influenced the lives of young individuals?
Omar: Impact, for Goodwall, is more than a number. Lives have been changed. One example is Dana, a girl from the Middle East who joined the platform in her teens and found a supportive STEM community on Goodwall. This motivated her to participate in Intel ISEF, the largest international science fair, where she won NASA’s special award. Despite circumstantial and social challenges, her unique profile helped her stand out and she got to study aerospace engineering in the UK, breaking altitude records with her rocket. Today, she works at Rolls Royce, focusing on the future of sustainable aviation, and she has inspired many other Goodwallers to follow in her footsteps and pursue STEM.
Another Goodwaller, Rayyanatu, is a Nigerian girl who participated in a plastic pollution entrepreneurship challenge created by Goodwall and UNICEF. Thanks to the challenge, she started a business recycling plastic bags from the streets of Kaduna into shoes. Her innovative solution not only benefits her local community but also contributes to a cleaner environment. She is inspiring.
You have received recognition as Forbes 30 under 30 honorees. How do you feel about this acknowledgment, and what does it mean for your mission and vision?
Taha: Being recognized as Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees is genuinely humbling for us, and we hope it serves as a reminder to the Goodwall community of the potential and impact young people like them can bring to the world. This kind of acknowledgment reinforces our passion for our mission, encouraging us to keep pushing boundaries to improve the experience of our members.
Every entrepreneurial journey comes with challenges. What are some of the most significant challenges you've faced in building Goodwall, and how did you overcome them?
Omar: Funding was a big one. Convincing people to invest in your dream isn't easy. We had to make a strong case for what Goodwall stood for and find investors who saw its potential and shared our passion for youth development. Then there's building the right team — because it's not only about skills, it's about finding people who believe in the mission as much as you do. But while it may have taken some time, it definitely paid off.
There's also the challenge of getting noticed, especially in the startup chaos. But consistency was key, and eventually, people started recognizing what we were all about. This required connecting with the right people, building relationships, and finding partners who truly believe in Goodwall.
But what really got us to where we are now is the Goodwall team. When things got tough, it was their dedication and shared belief in our mission that turned challenges into opportunities. Every stumble teaches you something, and we learned to turn setbacks into stepping stones. It's all part of the journey!
How do you envision the future of youth development and education, and what role do you see Goodwall playing in shaping that future?
Taha: At Goodwall, we envision a future where every young person, regardless of their background or location, has equal access to opportunities and resources for personal and professional growth. Our vision is rooted in the belief that all youth should be empowered to thrive and contribute to tackling global challenges.
We see Goodwall playing a pivotal role in shaping this future by catalyzing positive change alongside our partners. Our app is designed to empower and connect youth on a global scale, as part of an inclusive community where they can build skills, share experiences, and access opportunities.
By offering a safe space for youth to build confidence, share achievements, and connect with like-minded people, we aim to inspire the next generation to lead with purpose. We believe that breaking down barriers and connecting talented and motivated youth can help shape a promising future.
Are there any innovative features or initiatives within Goodwall that have been particularly successful in supporting young talents on their journey to self-improvement?
Omar: Goodwall's app and online programs are built to integrate learning into the journey of self-improvement. Through our online programs (challenges), youth develop skills and a mindset of lifelong learning. Whether it's mastering technical skills for future career success or refining soft skills for effective communication, Goodwall encourages continual growth.
One standout program was #TransformingEducation, which we launched with UNICEF to hear directly from young Africans about their perceptions of education in their countries. We gathered almost five million responses from over 600,000 young people across 13 African countries, leading to key recommendations for what must be addressed to transform education on the continent.
A different type of program, #Pitch, which promoted youth-led innovation asked participants to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas while showcasing creativity and problem-solving skills. We want to empower young talents to shape the future through impactful entrepreneurship.
A more recent initiative, Green Rising, which we are developing alongside partners like GenU, SAP, and Accenture, aims to support youth in building the skills needed to thrive in the green economy of tomorrow. This is an ongoing program with a variety of different challenges reflecting our forward-looking approach. We aim to prepare young people globally to make a positive impact in areas crucial for our collective future.
Collaboration and partnerships often play a vital role in the success of initiatives like Goodwall. Can you discuss some key collaborations that have contributed to its growth and impact?
Taha: Partnerships have been a game-changer for Goodwall. Take, for instance, our collaboration with SAP on #ClimateLeaders, where the winners got to be the voice of the Goodwall community at COP27, which was pretty amazing. Another impactful program was #GiveItAShot, which we co-created with UNICEF and received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This one was about mobilizing youth action during the pandemic in vaccine promotion. Our post-program surveys revealed that 98% of participants felt they learned something important about the COVID-19 vaccine, so that's a success.
One of my personal favorites was #Pitch, a program that Omar just mentioned, where we partnered with JA Worldwide to promote youth-led innovation by asking participants to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas. And, of course, there's #ScholarshipNow in collaboration with FastWeb (Monster), where monthly scholarships are handed out to help winning participants reach their goals. We hosted a similar challenge with Nation Media Group in Kenya called #NationScholarship, and we just love to see doors opened for youth through these kinds of opportunities. It's partnerships like these that make Goodwall more than just a platform — it's a community to empower youth in every way we can.
What advice would you offer to aspiring young entrepreneurs who aim to make a positive impact in the realm of youth development and education?
Omar: Firstly, embrace innovation fearlessly. The education landscape is evolving rapidly, and there's plenty of room for creative solutions. Don't be afraid to challenge the status quo and think outside the box.
Secondly, build a strong support network. Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and fellow changemakers who share your passion. Learning from others' experiences can be invaluable, and a supportive community will provide the encouragement and insights needed to navigate the entrepreneurial journey.
Lastly, be adaptable. The challenges in youth development and education are diverse and dynamic. Stay open to refining your approach based on feedback and evolving circumstances. Adaptability is essential to creating solutions that address the ever-changing needs of young people.
Balancing the demands of your roles as co-founders of Goodwall with your personal lives can be challenging. Could you share some insights into how you successfully manage this balance?
Taha: Finding the right work-life balance can be challenging, but effective communication is key. Omar and I make a conscious effort to maintain transparent and open lines of communication about our schedules, priorities, and any challenges we might be facing.
Setting clear boundaries is another strategy that has proven successful for us. We’ve learned how important it is to reserve time to recharge and stay focused when needed. This includes designated 'tech-free' periods to truly unwind and connect with our personal lives without the constant buzz of notifications.
We've also embraced the concept of delegation. Trusting our team and empowering them to take ownership of certain aspects allows us to maintain a more sustainable workload. It's about recognizing that we can't do everything ourselves and that shared responsibility leads to shared success.
In closing, what are your long-term goals and aspirations for Goodwall, and how do you hope it will continue to impact the lives of young people?
Omar: Our long-term goals for Goodwall are rooted in our commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people globally. Our primary aspiration is to expand the reach of Goodwall, making it accessible to even more diverse communities around the world, connecting people from various backgrounds, and providing growth opportunities.
Strategic partnerships and collaborations will play a crucial role in our journey. We will continue building meaningful connections with organizations, governments, and corporations to amplify the impact of Goodwall and create innovative programs and initiatives that address the evolving needs of young people and our planet.
Finally, we remain committed to continuous adaptation. Whether it's embracing technological advancements, responding to shifts in the job market, or addressing societal changes, we will continually strive to improve our product, helping our members successfully navigate the future of work.
Empower the next generation of changemakers. Visit Goodwall today to discover their innovative programs, explore exciting initiatives, and connect with young minds from around the globe who are actively shaping the future.
Overall, I believe that this interview is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in youth development and education. I encourage you to publish it and share it with others.
