Meet Sylvester Renner, Founder & President of Develop Africa
About Our Founder
Develop Africa was founded on a simple belief:
If we can change one life, we can help transform a community.
Sylvester Renner grew up in Sierra Leone in a well-educated, middle-class family and completed his undergraduate degree without financial hardship. After moving to the United States in 1995 and earning his MBA in 1998, he began building a professional career.
But during a visit back home, he encountered a different reality — children begging in the streets of Freetown, families struggling to keep their children in school, and young people dropping out due to financial hardship.
He realized he couldn’t fix everything — but he could help one life at a time.
In 2006, that conviction became Develop Africa, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Tennessee.
Early Impact
In the beginning, fundraising was modest — but the impact was meaningful.
Isata, who once helped her mother sell firewood and charcoal, was able to start school with support.
Thomascia, from a single-mother home, remained in school even after her mother passed away because assistance arrived when it mattered most.
These early interventions confirmed what would become the heart of Develop Africa’s mission: education, training, and opportunity are powerful pathways to independence.
A Foundation in Service
Before founding Develop Africa, Sylvester held leadership roles in student and nonprofit organizations in Sierra Leone, including serving as Vice President of the Bible Study Union at Fourah Bay College and President of Child Aid, a local nonprofit supporting disadvantaged children.
After graduation, he worked as an Administrative Assistant with Rural Development Service (RDS), a local nonprofit collaborating with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Sierra Leone. In this role, he gained early exposure to nonprofit systems, cross-organizational coordination, and international program implementation.
These experiences shaped his understanding of how effective nonprofit operations require both compassion and structure.
Cross-Cultural Experience
Sylvester has lived and studied in multiple African countries and in Europe, developing a deep appreciation for cross-cultural leadership and the realities of implementing cross-border programs.
This perspective continues to inform Develop Africa’s commitment to community-led solutions and culturally grounded partnerships.
Growth Through Challenge
Building a nonprofit has required persistence, humility, and resilience.
There have been seasons of slow progress and difficult decisions. During the pandemic, Develop Africa strengthened its systems, deepened communication with supporters, and refined its focus.
Today, Develop Africa continues to grow — supported by committed monthly donors, trusted partnerships, and recognition as a vetted nonprofit on respected platforms.
The mission remains clear:
To empower children and youth across Africa through education, training, and opportunity — one life at a time.
Above photo: Providing hands-on computer training at our first Excel training session at the Stadium Hostel in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in 2006
Featured Videos
In April 2021, Sylvester participated in an International panel discussion hosted by Xcelerate NC.
Topic: "Education In The Times Of The Pandemic And The Way Forward."See a PDF summary of Sylvester's comments
Watch on YouTube
Back in 2008. Melissa Hipolit of WHJL-TV, a local TV station in Johnson City, Tennessee, interviewed Sylvester. He explains how he started to Develop Africa out of a desire to help empower lives in Africa. When people complete their education, they will be in a better place to contribute to national development.
Books by Sylvester Renner
 |
Buy eBook on Amazon / For Kindle |
 |
Buy eBook on Smashwords (Multiple formats) |
|
Buy eBook on Amazon / For Kindle |
| iBookStore | Buy on iTunes / for iPad |
|
Buy eBook on Smashwords (Multiple formats) |
