TEF entrepreneurship forum kicks off in Nigeria

 

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The continent’s largest meeting on entrepreneurship, Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Forum kicks off next week in Lagos, Nigeria. The 4th annual TEF Forum is expected to attract the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem of over 5 000 entrepreneurs, global investors, leaders from the African public and private sectors and developmental organisations at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. According to the organisers, the event is a unique opportunity to generate ideas, forge networks and bring policymakers and the private sector together, in a spirit of robust debate and interaction. The 2018 cohort from the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme, as well as mentors and partners, will be present, as the culmination of their intensive 12-week induction. In keeping with the Foundation’s track record of bringing politicians face to face with the new generation of young business women and men shaping Africa, the Forum will include an interactive session with President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, moderated by TEF Founder, Tony Elumelu. The Forum will also feature the launch of the TEFConnect, the world’s largest digital platform for African entrepreneurs, dedicated to connecting African entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Since its inception TEF has selected more than 11 entrepreneurs from Botswana in sectors including; ICT, agriculture, education and manufacturing. Some of the beneficiaries are Lorato Motshwarakgole, Agang Ditlhogo of the Clicking Generation and Shima Keakopa.According to the Founder, Tony Elumelu, in four years, the Foundation has directly impacted 4 460 entrepreneurs. “We are beginning to see the results of job creation, ripple effects, but most importantly, a recognition that Africa’s economic well-being is driven by entrepreneurs, female and male, large and small; they are the engine of our continent’s transformation,” he said. Elumelu adds that this year, they are achieving scale and impact. “We received over 150 000 applications in 2017 alone, up from 20 000 applications in 2015. We are now calling on the current generation of African success stories and others to partner with us to see how we can all further create impact, genuinely transform millions of lives and increase the number of inspiring stories we will be hearing in Lagos.” TEF CEO, Parminder Vir OBE stated: “The TEF Entrepreneurship Forum is the only event across the continent that brings together the complete African entrepreneurship ecosystem, demonstrating our commitment to capturing the whole continuum, from the entrepreneurs themselves, governments who must provide enabling environments, to capital, advice and perhaps most importantly access and network.” The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is a 10-year, $100 million commitment to identify, train, mentor, and fund 10 000 entrepreneurs. Its goal is to invest in businesses that will generate at least one million new jobs and contribute at least $10 billion in new annual revenues across Africa.