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| TEF 1: Founder, The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu and The President, Republic of Ghana, Dr, Nana Akufo-Addo, at the TEF Entrepreneurship Forum 2018, the largest gathering of young African entrepreneurs, and the launch of TEF Connect, the world’s largest digital platform for African Entrepreneurs , organised by The Tony Elumelu Foundation in Lagos on Thursday |
5,000
African entrepreneurs, private and public sector leaders and the
broader entrepreneurship ecosystem convened in Lagos on Thursday,
October 25, 2018 for the annual Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF)
Entrepreneurship Forum. The event which is the largest gathering
of African entrepreneurs in the world, is a unique opportunity for
bringing together young business talent, creating dynamic networks and
transmitting the message to policymakers that a vibrant and responsible
private sector will deliver economic transformation.
African entrepreneurs, private and public sector leaders and the
broader entrepreneurship ecosystem convened in Lagos on Thursday,
October 25, 2018 for the annual Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF)
Entrepreneurship Forum. The event which is the largest gathering
of African entrepreneurs in the world, is a unique opportunity for
bringing together young business talent, creating dynamic networks and
transmitting the message to policymakers that a vibrant and responsible
private sector will deliver economic transformation.
Now
in its fourth year, the Forum marked the graduation of the 2018 cohort
of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, following a rigorous nine-month
period of training, mentorship and funding, which brought the total
number of beneficiaries of the Programme to 4,470, with over 300,000
applications received to date.
in its fourth year, the Forum marked the graduation of the 2018 cohort
of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, following a rigorous nine-month
period of training, mentorship and funding, which brought the total
number of beneficiaries of the Programme to 4,470, with over 300,000
applications received to date.
One
of the highlights was the unveiling of TEFConnect, a revolutionary
digital community that brings together the complete
entrepreneurshipecosystem
across Africa and beyond, including entrepreneurs, investors and the
broader business community on one platform, connecting them digitally
with three vital elements for success – capital, market and business
tools. Africa is riding a wave of rapid technological
driven change in payment systems, education, agriculture and
infrastructure and TEFConnect fulfills a critical role in linking
entrepreneurs across the continent.
of the highlights was the unveiling of TEFConnect, a revolutionary
digital community that brings together the complete
entrepreneurshipecosystem
across Africa and beyond, including entrepreneurs, investors and the
broader business community on one platform, connecting them digitally
with three vital elements for success – capital, market and business
tools. Africa is riding a wave of rapid technological
driven change in payment systems, education, agriculture and
infrastructure and TEFConnect fulfills a critical role in linking
entrepreneurs across the continent.
Commencing
with a series of goodwill messages from key stakeholders in the
investment, governmental and development communities, the event featured
a pitching competition, panel discussions, as well as a vibrant
interactive session between His Excellency, President Nana Akufo-Addo
and the entrepreneurs, moderated by TEF Founder, Tony O. Elumelu. It
also featured a session on the role of the private sector
in the economic development of Africa with Dr. Awele Elumelu, TEF
Trustee, Founder, Avon Medical and Gavi Champion for Immunisation in
Africa; moderated by CNNMoney Africa Correspondent, Eleni Giokos.
Parminder Vir, CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation also unveiled
the TEF Impact Documentary, featuring success stories of the Tony
Elumeluu Entrepreneurs.
with a series of goodwill messages from key stakeholders in the
investment, governmental and development communities, the event featured
a pitching competition, panel discussions, as well as a vibrant
interactive session between His Excellency, President Nana Akufo-Addo
and the entrepreneurs, moderated by TEF Founder, Tony O. Elumelu. It
also featured a session on the role of the private sector
in the economic development of Africa with Dr. Awele Elumelu, TEF
Trustee, Founder, Avon Medical and Gavi Champion for Immunisation in
Africa; moderated by CNNMoney Africa Correspondent, Eleni Giokos.
Parminder Vir, CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation also unveiled
the TEF Impact Documentary, featuring success stories of the Tony
Elumeluu Entrepreneurs.
Tony
Elumelu reiterated his commitment to championing Africa’s economic
development by supporting and training a new generation of
entrepreneurs,
whose successes can transform the continent, delivering opportunity,
job creation and social impact. ‘Africa’s future is in African hands’ he
stated.
Elumelu reiterated his commitment to championing Africa’s economic
development by supporting and training a new generation of
entrepreneurs,
whose successes can transform the continent, delivering opportunity,
job creation and social impact. ‘Africa’s future is in African hands’ he
stated.
“Our
Foundation and its unique approach of training, mentoring and funding
has proven that entrepreneurship is the key to unlocking economic
transformation
of our continent. I believe so strongly that success can be
democratized and if we can match ambition to opportunities, this
extraordinary generation can achieve anything,” said Tony Elumelu.
“With TEFConnect, we have created a tool, that provides a digital
platform to host ideas, champion success and demonstrate Africans
ability to use the most advanced technologies to take charge of their
economic destinies.”
Foundation and its unique approach of training, mentoring and funding
has proven that entrepreneurship is the key to unlocking economic
transformation
of our continent. I believe so strongly that success can be
democratized and if we can match ambition to opportunities, this
extraordinary generation can achieve anything,” said Tony Elumelu.
“With TEFConnect, we have created a tool, that provides a digital
platform to host ideas, champion success and demonstrate Africans
ability to use the most advanced technologies to take charge of their
economic destinies.”
His
Excellency, President Nana Akudo-Addo of Ghana underlined the
importance of galvanizing the broad entrepreneurship eco-system, calling
on
public sector representatives to encourage, support and replicate the
work of the Tony Elumelu Foundation in their respective regions.
Excellency, President Nana Akudo-Addo of Ghana underlined the
importance of galvanizing the broad entrepreneurship eco-system, calling
on
public sector representatives to encourage, support and replicate the
work of the Tony Elumelu Foundation in their respective regions.
Speaking
on the importance of putting the right policies in place, President
Nana Akufo-Addo said: “Nothing is changed or developed on its own.
People must get up, speak, have discussions and change the dialogue”.
on the importance of putting the right policies in place, President
Nana Akufo-Addo said: “Nothing is changed or developed on its own.
People must get up, speak, have discussions and change the dialogue”.
Since
its inception, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered African
entrepreneurs across the continent with a $5,000 non-refundable seed
grant,
a bespoke training programme designed specifically for the African
environment and access to a dedicated group of mentors, significantly
contributing to economic growth, job creation and revenue generation
its inception, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered African
entrepreneurs across the continent with a $5,000 non-refundable seed
grant,
a bespoke training programme designed specifically for the African
environment and access to a dedicated group of mentors, significantly
contributing to economic growth, job creation and revenue generation
The
Forum was attended by key players in the private and public sector
including Governor, Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Governor
of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulahi Abubakar; President, Lagos
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nike Akande; Former Governor, Cross
River State, HE Donald Duke and Former Governor of Anambra State, HE
Peter Obi, among others.
Forum was attended by key players in the private and public sector
including Governor, Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Governor
of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulahi Abubakar; President, Lagos
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nike Akande; Former Governor, Cross
River State, HE Donald Duke and Former Governor of Anambra State, HE
Peter Obi, among others.
