Elumelu Foundation to host 1,300 African Entrepreneurs from 52 countries

The Tony Elumelu Foundation, TEF, Africa’s leading philanthropy, recently announced a plan to host 1,300 African Entrepreneurs, Business leaders and Policymakers from 54 countries, in Lagos.

“Since launching the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme and committing $100 million to empowering 10,000 African entrepreneurs in a decade, the TEF has boosted over 3,000 entrepreneurs, who have created tens of thousands of jobs and generated considerable wealth.

The 3rd Annual TEF Entrepreneurship Forum will take place on October 13 in Lago. This years event has been extended beyond the usual 1,000 entrepreneurs, to include selected SMEs, media, hubs, incubators, academia and investors from across Africa. This is the first year the forum has opened to include the full pan-African entrepreneurship ecosystem, reaching 1300 entrepreneurs.

“The two-day forum will feature plenary panels, master classes, sector-specific networking opportunities and policy-led forums focused on enabling African business growth.

Who will be the speakers ?

Speakers at the forum would include Wale Ayeni of International Finance Corporation, Stephen Kauma, Afrexim Bank and Andre Hue, African Development Bank.

“Others are Stephen M. Haykin, USAID Nigeria, Heikke Reugger, European Investment Bank and Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, United Nations Development Programme,’’ she said.

The foundation, which was founded in 2010 by Tony Elumelu, was aimed at empowering a generation of successful pro-profit entrepreneurs who drive Africa’s economic and social transformation.

A few stats about past years applications

The foundation received 20,000 applications in 2015 from residents of 53 African countries, out of which 1,000 applicants were selected, with Nigeria contributing 64 per cent.

“In 2016, 45,000 applications were received with Nigeria contributing 30 per cent with 1000 selected applicants. “Agriculture leads the sectors represented with 26.67 per cent: a great number are into poultry and fish farming.“Fashion and ICT followed in second and third with 10 and 8.8 per cent respectively.

Trailer of the event

 

Source: Premium Times