Bakari Mustafa is an African-born Australian entrepreneur, technologist, and former refugee. He was born in Burundi, a small country located in central Africa, but grew up in Malawi, a country located in South-eastern Africa. Bakari settled in a UNHCR refugee camp in Malawi and migrated to Australia in 2015 after being granted asylum by the Australian government.
What I’m Working On
Currently, I serve on the leadership team at Networking African-Australians, a Melbourne-based community organization dedicated to empowering African-Australian youth. Through our programs—including homework clubs, leadership camps, and mentorship initiatives—we provide students with the skills, experiences, and support they need to thrive in education, develop leadership capabilities, and build meaningful careers.
In April 2025, we successfully hosted a transformative three-day leadership camp at Mount Eliza for 34 African-Australian students, creating lasting impact through workshops on confidence-building, teamwork, mental health, and cultural identity.
Past Work & Impact
I’m the founder of Mentors Outreach, a dynamic community platform connecting young professionals and students with mentors, investors, and founders. Through this platform, I’ve helped build a thriving network of peers and innovators dedicated to inspiring the next generation.
I’ve also created community-focused initiatives including:
- Dzaleka Connect - An online portal and directory connecting current and former Dzaleka refugee camp residents and supporters, empowering them to drive social change and showcasing the talents of artists, entrepreneurs, and creators in the camp
- Hungry Innovators - A non-profit STEM education organization founded in 2016, building a thriving network of peers and innovators dedicated to inspiring the next generation
- Transition Phase Podcast - Interviewed entrepreneurs and creatives in Brisbane from 2018 to September 2019, sharing stories and insights to help others take control of their lives
Notes: I feel very fortunate to get to connect with so many remarkable individuals. Whenever I have the chance, I set aside a few minutes to share what I’m learning here on my website. Have questions or suggestions? Feel free to hit me up on Twitter. Want to work together? Email me. Also, feel free to also check out my reading list.
See you Online! 👋