The founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Tony Elumelu said he is commitment to championing Africa’s economic development by supporting and training a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Elumelu, who spoke at the fourth TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in Lagos, said the success of the programme can transform the continent, delivering opportunity, job creation and social impact, saying that Africa’s future lies with Africans.
He said: ”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 democratised and if we can match ambition to opportunities, this extraordinary generation can achieve anything.”
The forum now in its fourth year, marked the graduation of the 2018 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, following a rigorous nine-month period of training, mentor-ship 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 of the occasion was the unveiling of TEFConnect, a revolutionary digital community that brings together the complete entrepreneurship ecosystem across Africa and beyond. It includes entrepreneurs, investors and the broader business community on one platform, connecting them digitally with three vital elements for success – capital, market and business tools.
Elumelu said 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, saying 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.”
The event featured a pitching competition, panel discussions, as well as a interactive session between Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo and the entrepreneurs, moderated by 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 and Founder, Avon Medical and Gavi Champion for Immunisation in Africa; moderated by CNNMoney Africa Correspondent, Eleni Giokos.
The Chief Executive Officer, TEF, Parminder Vir, unveiled the TEF Impact Documentary, featuring success stories of the Tony Elumeluu Entrepreneurs.
Akudo-Addo underlined the importance of galvanizing the broad entrepreneurship eco-system, and called on public sector representatives to encourage, support and replicate the work of the Tony Elumelu Foundation in their respectiv regions, saying, ”nothing is changed or developed on its own. People must get up, speak, have discussions and change the dialogue”.