4th Tony Elumelu forum

28.10.2018

‘'Africa is a land of opportunities, there is no better time to become an entrepreneur in Africa. Government is to set the right environment but the private sector must take the Lead and take charge'', says Tony Elumelu, one of Africa's renowned entrepreneur and business magnate. During the 4th annual Toney Elumelu fellowship Forum, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) reiterated that if Africans can adopt the ‘'culture of entrepreneurship, we can therefore boast of poverty alleviation.

Many stakeholders, business tycoons; few some African presidents and prospective entrepreneurs have gathered in Lagos-Nigeria for the 4th annual Tony Elumelu entrepreneurship Forum 2018. The forum represents a platform where entrepreneurs exchange business ideas and promote entrepreneurship. Under the theme ‘Empowering African Entrepreneurs‘’, this year’s Forum attracted 1460 entrepreneurs across the African continent, representing the largest of such gatherings of vibrant African entrepreneurs, and an occasion to officially launch the TEF Connect. Ghana’s president Nana Akufo Addo, who was part of the event outlined the fact that Africa needs to harness its human capital (youth), reiterating that the future of the continent rests on ‘Entrepreneurialism”. On his part, Kenya’s leader Uhuru Kenyatta urged African Youth totally exploit the benefits of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme to ‘’turn their fortunes around” by embracing the culture of entrepreneurship.

WHAT IS THE TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION (TEF)

Driven by the quest to directly influence entrepreneurship, Tony Elumelu, like other African entrepreneurs in 2010 established the TEF Foundation. This gave the green light to the Tony Elumelu Fellowship Entrepreneurship Forum.

AIM OF THE FOUNDATION

This foundation, the biggest on the African continent aims to gather, mentor and produce pro-profit entrepreneurs who will intend to drive economic development and growth of the African continent. Winning the war against poverty, positive competition among youth African businessmen remains the major plight of the foundation.

WHO IS TONY ELUMELU

Born on March 22, 1963, Tony Elumelu (Igbo) is a Nigerian entrepreneur and economist, C.E.O of the United Bank for Africa (UBA). He is also the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

He is a holder of two degrees in economics; a bachelor’s degree from Ambrose Alli University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Lagos. Tony Elumelu equally attended the Harvard business school-USA.

SUCCESSES/ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE TEF FORUM

The Foundation has recorded enormous successes since its creation. Now in its 4th year, 4,460 entrepreneurs have been promoted, with an investment of $ 20million.

-In the period of two years; beneficiaries of the TEF Entrepreneurship platform have generated almost $52 million revenue.

– A total of 12,000 jobs have been created thanks to the programme

– Increase in the percentage of female entrepreneurs. The programme opened with just 27% of female entrepreneurs, but today it can boast of a 41% representation. (Female emancipation on the rise)

With productive platforms like the above mentioned Tony Elumelu entrepreneurship forum, attaining the continent’s development agenda 2030, 2063 would not be a major challenge. Thus entrepreneurialism remains unavoidable and a push factor for Africa’s transformation.

AFRIC Editorial Article

Sources :

wn.com/Tony_Elumelu

www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/elumelu-foundations-en…-12000-jobs-in-2yrs/