Tony Elumelu Foundation Hosts European Commission, Leading Development Finance Institutions and Think Tanks in Brussels

• Highlights the Relevance and Urgency to Support Entrepreneurial Led Economic Growth in Africa

Tony Elumelu, CON engaging the distinguished audience at the convening on Africa’s
economic transformation convened by the Tony Elumelu Foundation in Brussels on April 10,
2019

L-R: Carl Michiels, Director, European Centre for Development Policy Management
(ECDPM); Former Prime Minister of Benin, HE Lionel Zinsou; Bruno Wenn, Former
CEO/Chairman at DEG-German Investment and Development Company, and Advisory
Board Member, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Minister Phillippe De Backer, Minister for Digital

Agenda, Telecommunications and Post; and Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, CEO of the Tony Elumelu
Foundation.

Brussels, Belgium, April 11, 2019— At a time when Europe’s relationship
with Africa is high on foreign policy and developmental agendas and with the
European Union beginning to deliver on its 2017 External Investment Plan,
targeted at attracting investment and job creation in Africa, the Tony Elumelu
Foundation brought together leading stakeholders in the development finance
sector, at a case study session in the EU capital, Belgium. The convening
demonstrated that Africa also had solutions to bring to the table and
platformed the Foundation’s unique approach to catalysing entrepreneurship
in scale across the continent.

Themed “A Convening on Africa’s Economic Transformation: A Case
Study of the Tony Elumelu Foundation”, the event presented the results of
the first five years of the Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme a unique
programme, which has trained, mentored and seeded 4,470 African
entrepreneurs with 3,050 newly announced to receive seed funding, and
drawn over 200,000 applications to its 2019 cycle. Tony Elumelu’s $100m
investment in entrepreneurial philanthropy was held up as an example of how
vital capital could be targeted efficiently and effectively, at African businesses
best able to create significant economic and developmental impact.

Opening the event, Mr. Koen Doens, Deputy Director General, DEVCO, EU,
said: “Africa needs to create jobs by the millions to match the needs of its
exponentially growing population. It will achieve this only if it unleashes a
generation of empowered entrepreneurs. The Tony Elumelu Foundation
contributes to this massively. The European Union wants to play its part and
contribute to this endeavour.”

During an indepth question and answer session with EU-Africa relations
expert, Annie Mutamba, Founder, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu CON, highlighted the
growing interest in the Tony Elumelu Foundation and its unique approach,
while welcoming a new type of intervention in Africa. “We very much believe in
collaboration, mutual respect and a shared commitment to transform
Africa. Africa is ready but we need to do this through the right sustainable
manner, that enables our people to become self-reliant, and independent,
instead of perpetuating dependency. We need to implement practical solutions
on ground through entrepreneurship, which empower people economically
and addresses issues of extremism, migration, and insecurity.”

Minister Phillippe De Backer, Minister for Digital Agenda, Telecommunications
and Post, Belgium, also commented: “There is an increasing desire in Europe
to engage Africa, including its grassroots in a structure and targeted approach
with the right processes. The Tony Elumelu Foundation offers this platform.”
The Tony Elumelu Foundation, which last month in March announced 3,050
selected entrepreneurs for its 2019 cycle, continues to grow in scale, ambition
and impact, and now actively leverages technology to support entrepreneurs
through TEF Connect – a digital hub designed to link entrepreneurs across
Africa, and which already has 500,000 users.

On the Foundation’s future plans, he stated: “We want to make sure that we
impact more, reach more, touch more lives and get more women involved. We
want to see more Northern Africa participation. We would like to reach 10,000
a year, with support from partners to empower additional entrepreneurs. We
want to eradicate poverty and create wealth in a sustainable way. Ultimately,
\we want a larger and broader entrepreneurship ecosystem, that supports
young Africans, and we want to deepen our engagement with government to
create the enabling environment to support these Africans to succeed – the
right investment climate, training, education, access to capital and most
importantly creating the right investment culture.”

Other dignitaries at the event included: Carl Michiels, Director, European
Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM); Bruno Wenn, Former
CEO/Chairman at DEG-German Investment and Development Company, and
Advisory Board Member, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Mr Viwanou
Gnanssougou, Assistant Secretary General, African, Caribbean and Pacific
(ACP) at the European Council of the European Union, and Ifeyinwa
Ugochukwu, CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

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TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 3,050 ENTREPRENEURS SELECTED FOR THE 5th CYCLE OF THE TEF ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME

• Further 2,050 beneficiaries supported by Foundation partners
• TEF Entrepreneurship Forum – Africa’s largest entrepreneurship convening – to be held on July 26-27
LAGOS, NIGERIA, March 22, 2019— The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the leading African philanthropy committed to empowering African entrepreneurs, today announced 3,050 African entrepreneurs, drawn from all 54 African countries, selected to join the 5th cycle of its $100million TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.

The announcement was made at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, following a presentation of the selection process by Accenture Development Partners.

This year, over 216,000 applications were received, an increase from last year’s 151,000. Nearly 90,000 were submitted by female entrepreneurs, an increase of 45%, illustrating the Foundation’s strategy to achieve greater gender balance. The selected Entrepreneurs will each receive nonrefundable $5,000 of seed capital, access to mentors, and a 12-week business training programme, directly focused on the needs of African entrepreneurs. On July 26 – 27 2019, they will gather at the TEF Entrepreneurship Forum, the largest annual gathering of African entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurship ecosystem on the continent.

TEF Founder, Tony O. Elumelu, CON, who celebrated his birthday today, said: “Every year, we face an almost impossible task – to select 1,000 entrepreneurs, from the hundreds of thousands that apply. Our entrepreneurs are hungry to effect change. We know we are only scratching the surface, we see the depth of entrepreneurial talent, that all of us – government, business indeed African society, must harness to transform our economies and livelihoods. We must rally together to empower them and accelerate the change we want on the continent”.

In her speech, Her Excellency, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the wife of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, commended the Programme’s impact on the continent, charging the selected entrepreneurs to contribute to the advancement of the African continent.

“Indeed, I am confident that these Tony Elumelu entrepreneurs will inspire deep confidence and be of immense value not just to Nigeria but to the entire continent,” she said.

Speaking on the announcement, the incoming CEO, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, said, “The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme has successfully empowered 7,520 entrepreneurs in its first five years of the 10- year programme.

Marking the fifth anniversary of the 10-year programme, this year’s selection includes 2,050 entrepreneurs, supported by the Foundation’s partners in addition to the Foundation’s annual commitment of 1,000, bringing the total number of entrepreneurs empowered by the Foundation to date to 7,520.

Last year, we launched TEFConnect - the digital networking platform for African entrepreneurs and open to all - to further democratise the access to opportunities for the thousands of entrepreneurs that cannot directly benefit from our Entrepreneurship Programme. This further demonstrates our commitment to empowering our entrepreneurs and our belief that entrepreneurship holds the key to unleashing the true potential of the African continent", she said.

The Foundation’s growing list of partners includes the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Federal Republic of Benin (Seme City), the Anambra State Government, Indorama, the Government of Botswana and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

 For a list of the selected 2018 Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs and information on our applicants, please visit http://bit.ly/TEF2019.

Photos

L-R: Tony Elumelu, Founder, The Tony Elumelu Foundation; Her Excellency Mrs. Aisha Buhari, First Lady of Nigeria; Dr. Awele Elumelu, Member, Board of Trustees, Tony Elumelu Foundation ; at the Selection and Unveiling of the 5th Cohort of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja over the weekend. 

L-R: Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, incoming CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Parminder Vir, CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Ambassador Shimon BenShoshan, Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria; Tony Elumelu, Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Her Excellency Mrs. Aisha Buhari, First Lady of Nigeria; Dr. Awele Elumelu, Member, Board of Trustees, Tony Elumelu Foundation; at the Selection and Unveiling of the 5th Cohort of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja over the weekend.

L-R: Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, incoming CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Parminder Vir, CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Ambassador Shimon BenShoshan, Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria; Tony Elumelu, Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Her Excellency Mrs. Aisha Buhari, First Lady of Nigeria; Dr. Awele Elumelu, Member, Board of Trustees, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Ambassador Yvonne Khamati , Deputy Ambassador to Kenya; HRH Ebitimi Banigo, King of Okpoama kingdom; at the Selection and Unveiling of the 5th Cohort of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja over the weekend.

ABOUT TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION 

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is the leading African philanthropy committed to empowering African entrepreneurs. Founded by African investor and philanthropist, Tony O. Elumelu, CON, the Foundation is guided by the philosophy, Africapitalism, which proposes that the private sector holds the key to unlocking the sustainable development of Africa.

Through its flagship Entrepreneurship Programme, the Foundation empowers African entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurship ecosystem across 54 African countries. The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is a $100million commitment by the Elumelu family to empower 10,000 African entrepreneurs over a 10-year period. The goal is to create at least 1million jobs and contribute over $10billion in revenue to the African economy.

 Since its inception in 2015, the Programme has empowered 4,000 African entrepreneurs directly and an additional 470 entrepreneurs supported by the Foundation’s global partners.

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Media inquiries should be directed to media@tonyelumelufoundation.org. ###

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The Tony Elumelu Foundation to Announce Selected Entrepreneurs for 2019 Programme on March 22, 2019

* Over 1,000 African entrepreneurs from African 54 countries to participate in the 2019 Cohort

* Event to be livestreamed on TEFConnect – Africa’s digital entrepreneurship hub

LAGOS, NIGERIA, March 18, 2019 – The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the leading African philanthropy committed to empowering African entrepreneurs, will announce the selected applicants for the 2019 cohort of the Foundation’s flagship Entrepreneurship Programme on March 22, 2019. The event, which marks the 5th round of the Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme, will take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Every year, the Tony Elumelu Foundation opens its application portal to African entrepreneurs, with businesses of less than three years old. Through its $100million Entrepreneurship Programme, the Foundation empowers 1,000 entrepreneurs annually, who receive $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, access to mentors, a 12-week training programme and opportunities to promote their businesses to a global audience. All applicants receive access to TEFConnect, Africa’s digital entrepreneurial hub, which provides access to networks, training, further capital sources and business opportunities.

As a means of cascading its proven entrepreneurial tool kit to the huge numbers of applicants, the Foundation launched in 2018, TEFConnect, the digital networking platform for African entrepreneurs. The platform, which has currently over 400,000 users, providing opportunities for entrepreneurs to network, receive training and forge business partnerships to scale their businesses beyond physical borders.

In the five years since the Foundation launched its Entrepreneurship Programme, it has empowered 4,000 African entrepreneurs directly and an additional 470 entrepreneurs supported by the Foundation’s partners. The Foundation recently appointed Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu as CEO effective from April 1. Mrs. Ugochukwu succeeds Parminder Vir, OBE, who will continue to lend her experience and expertise as a member of the Foundation’s Advisory Board.

The incoming CEO, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, emphasised the importance of partnership in reaching additional entrepreneurs beyond the Foundation’s annual commitment of 1,000 entrepreneurs.

“Each year we see a significant uplift in applicants. Our execution partner, Accenture Development Partnerships, are currently reviewing and finalising the applications. Over 215,000 African entrepreneurs applied from across 54 African countries, up from 151,000 applications last year, with an increase in female representation from 62,000 in 2018 to 90,000 in 2019. These rising figures demonstrate the burning desire of the African entrepreneur to develop our continent, and we must urgently convert this passion into viable businesses to develop our continent.

Our Programme has developed a robust mechanism for directing capital effectively and efficiently, to those who can deploy it in local communities with the greatest impact. We are looking forward to working with partners to collaborate with us, to scale the platform and process we have created. Empowering African entrepreneurs must be a shared responsibility to create economic prosperity for all”, she said.

Speaking on the Entrepreneurship Programme, Osato Noah, West Africa Lead, Accenture Development Partnerships, said:

“We have worked with the Tony Elumelu Foundation since the inception of the Entrepreneurship Programme. In 2015, the first round of the Programme saw us review 20,000 applications for the Foundation and this year we reviewed over 215,000 applications. The sheer diversity and speed at which

applications have scaled in the last four years have been incredible. We commend the Tony Elumelu Foundation for their commitment to the transparency of the programme, and Accenture is proud to partner in the delivery of this Pan-African project.”

The Selection Announcement will also feature a Nigerian TEF Alumni Meet up, as well as an interactive dialogue with TEF Founder, Tony O. Elumelu, CON.

Watch the livestream on our Facebook page here or on TEFConnect here

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UBA Group Launches Full Banking Operations in the UK / Le groupe UBA lance officiellement ses opérations bancaires au Royaume-Uni

         

l-r:  CEO, UBA UK, Mr. Patrick Gutmann; GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Group Chairman, UBA Plc, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu; President, Afreximbank, Dr. Benedict Oramah; and CEO, UBA Africa, Mr. Victor Osadolor at the launch of UBA UK in London on Thursday:

UBA Group Launches Full Banking Operations in the UK
Three weeks after the UBA group launched its operations in Mali, the global financial city of London hosted a high level gathering of business and public sector leaders on Thursday February 28, 2019, as the new UBA franchise, UBA UK was formally birthed in the United Kingdom amidst high expectations.

At the upscale ceremony which was held at The Prestigious Shard in the city of London, UBA UK was formerly introduced to business leaders across Europe and Africa with a commitment from the UBA Group of its readiness to galvanise trade and commerce between Europe and Africa.

The formal launch is sequel to the authorization of the Prudential Regulation Authority(PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority(FCA) for UBA UK Limited to carry out full scale wholesale banking across the United Kingdom.

With this launch, UBA Group further consolidates its unique positioning as the first and only Sub-Saharan African financial institution with banking operations in both the United Kingdom and the United States, thus reinforcing its strong franchise as Africa’s Global Bank, facilitating trade and capital flows between Africa and the world.

Speaking at the event, the Group Chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu said the Group is excited by the authorization of the relevant regulatory authorities in the United Kingdom for UBA to upgrade its operation and further fulfil its aspiration of deepening trade and investments flows between Africa and Europe.

“The enhancement of our business in the United Kingdom is very timely and mutually beneficial for African and European corporates as well as respective governments. With the British and other European governments seeking new and improved measures to grow trade relations with Africa, we are enthusiastic on our positioning and capabilities in supporting corporates and government institutions to fulfil these lofty aspirations, which we believe are pertinent for the sustainable growth of both continents.”

Elumelu expressed that he is extremely pleased as UBA is living up to its mantra of being Africa’s global bank and positioning itself to support investors in key financial centres across the world.

Also speaking at the event, The Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, said “Simultaneously, we are serving the trade and capital needs of our African customers, who are seeking exposure to the European markets. With the upgrade of UBA UK Limited, we are excited to deepen our support to existing customers whilst also providing the leverage for new customers to effectively fulfil their cross-border transactions through UBA Group’s network.”

On his part, the CEO, UBA UK, Mr. Patrick Gutmann, said; “We are now on a stronger footing, as the authorization of the PRA and FCA for an enhanced business model affords us the opportunity to swell our capital and balance sheet as well as the broader UBA Group’s network across Africa. We welcome our existing and new customers to this new world of borderless opportunities, as we creatively serve our customers in meeting their international transaction needs.”

Some of the guests In attendance at the event were the President of Dangote Group; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President; Afreximbank, Dr. Benedict Oramah; Former Prime Minister of Pakistan,  H.E Shaukat Aziz; Member of the British House of Lords and Executive Committee Member of the All Party  Africa Group, Rt. Hon Lord Anthony Tudor St. John,  amongst many others.

The event was not short on entertainment as one of Africa’s leading entertainers Dbanj performed to the admiration of guests including Star boy, Whiz Kid. 

United Bank for Africa (UK) Limited, previously named UBA Capital (Europe) Limited offers a full suite of treasury services, cash management, correspondent banking, corporate lending and wholesale deposit products to professionals and eligible counterparties. In addition, UBA (UK) Limited offers all aspects of structured and trade finance; issuance, acceptance, confirmation and refinancing of Letters of Credit of different variations, including SBLCs. 

_____________________________________________________

Le groupe UBA lance officiellement ses opérations bancaires au Royaume-Uni

Londres, le 1^er mars 2019: Trois semaines après le lancement par le groupe UBA de sa filiale au Mali, la ville financière mondiale de Londres a accueilli jeudi 28 février 2019 un rassemblement des dirigeants de haut niveau des secteurs privé et public, alors que la nouvelle franchise de UBA, UBA Royaume-Uni (UBA R-U), est officiellement née avec de grandes attentes.

Lors de la cérémonie haut de gamme qui s'est tenue dans le prestigieux Shard de Londres, UBA R-U a été formellement présentée aux chefs d’entreprise d’Europe et d’Afrique avec l’engagement du Groupe UBA de sa préparation à renforcer le dynamisme des échanges commerciaux entre l’Europe et l’Afrique.

Le lancement officiel fait suite à l’octroi de l’agrément de banque de grande clientèle par l’Autorité de Régulation Prudentielle (PRA) et de l’Autorité de Bonne Conduite Financière (FCA) à UBA R-U pour effectuer des opérations bancaires au Royaume-Uni.

Avec ce lancement, le groupe UBA consolide son unique positionnement en tant que la première et seule institution financière de l’Afrique subsaharienne avec des opérations bancaires au Royaume-Uni et aux États-Unis, renforçant ainsi sa solide réputation de banque africaine de référence à l’échelle mondiale, Africa’s global bank, facilitant les échanges et les flux de capitaux entre l’Afrique et le reste du monde.

S’exprimant lors de l’événement, le Président du Groupe UBA, Tony Elumelu, a fait part de l’enthousiasme suscité au sein du groupe par l’agrément accordé par les autorités de régulation compétentes du Royaume-Uni à UBA pour renforcer ses opérations et réaliser son aspiration de participer à la croissance des flux commerciaux et des investissements entre l’Afrique et l’Europe.

“Le renforcement de nos activités au Royaume-Uni est très opportun et mutuellement bénéfique pour les entreprises africaines et européennes, ainsi que pour les gouvernements respectifs. Les gouvernements britannique et européens, recherchant de nouvelles mesures améliorées pour développer leurs relations commerciales avec l’Afrique, nous sommes enthousiastes quant à notre positionnement et à nos capacités à accompagner les entreprises et les institutions gouvernementales à réaliser ces aspirations ambitieuses, qui, à notre avis, sont pertinentes pour la croissance durable des deux continents“.

M. Elumelu a exprimé sa grande satisfaction car UBA vit son mantra de banque africaine de référence à l’échelle mondiale, Afica’s global bank, et se positionne pour soutenir les investisseurs dans les principaux centres financiers à travers le monde.

S’exprimant également lors de l’événement, Kennedy Uzoka, Directeur Général du Groupe, a déclaré: “Le Groupe UBA est la passerelle la plus efficace facilitant aux entreprises et aux institutions européennes l’accès à l’Afrique, étant donné l’étendue du réseau de la banque sur la plupart des marches à impact du continent et sa connaissance approfondie de l’environnement des affaires en Afrique. Selon lui, “simultanément, nous répondons aux besoins en échanges et en capitaux de nos clients africains, qui recherchent une exposition aux marchés européens. Avec le renforcement des opérations de UBA R-U, nous sommes ravis de renforcer notre soutien aux clients existants tout en offrant aux nouveaux clients le moyen de traiter efficacement leurs transactions transfrontalières via le réseau du groupe UBA”.

De son côté, le DG de UBA R-U, Patrick Gutmann, a déclaré: “Nous nous trouvons maintenant sur des bases plus solides, car l’agrément de PRA et de FCA pour un modèle commercial renforcé nous donne l’opportunité de renforcer notre capital et notre bilan, ainsi que le réseau du groupe UBA en Afrique dans son ensemble. Nous souhaitons la bienvenue à nos clients existants et à nos nouveaux clients dans ce nouveau monde d’opportunités sans frontières, alors que nous mettons la créativité au service de nos clients pour répondre à leurs besoins en matière de transactions internationales”.

Parmi les invités présents, figurent le Président du Groupe Dangote, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; le Président d’Afreximbank, Dr. Benedict Oramah; S.E. Shaukat Aziz, ancien Premier ministre du Pakistan; Rt. Lord Anthony Tudor St. John, Membre de la Chambre britannique des lords et membre du comité exécutif d Groupe Parlementaire Multipartite pour l’Afrique, etc.

L’événement était riche en divertissements et l’un des principaux artistes africains, Dbanj, s’y est produit à l’admiration de nombreux invités dont la vedette, Whiz Kid.

United Bank for Africa Royaume-Uni, ancien UBA Capital Europe, offre une gamme complète de produits de trésorerie, de gestion de trésorerie, de correspondance bancaire, de crédit aux entreprises et de dépôts de grande clientèle aux professionnels et aux contreparties éligibles. En outre, UBA R-U offre toutes formes de financement structuré et de financement du commerce; d’émission, d’acceptation, de confirmation et de refinancement de lettres de crédit de différentes variations, y compris les lettres de crédit stand-by.  

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Press Release: Applications for Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme 2019 Open 1st January on TEFConnect

Applications for Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme 2019 Open 1st January on TEFConnect

§    The Tony Elumelu Foundation will open the 5^th Entrepreneurship Programme application cycle on Jan 1^st , 2019

§    Applications will be hosted on the largest digital networking platform for African entrepreneurs, TEFConnect -www.tefconnect.com

On the 1st of January 2019, at 12am, WAT, the Tony Elumelu Foundation will begin accepting applications for the fifth cycle of its Entrepreneurship Programme. 1,000 selected applicants will join the current 4,470 beneficiaries of the Programme.

Since 2015, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme – the only African-funded entrepreneurial catalyst of its kind – has empowered 4,470 African entrepreneurs, with seed capital of $5,000 each; twelve weeks of accelerated online business training; access to experienced mentors; and membership of Africa’s largest entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Beneficiaries of the Programme have been profiled in global media, including the Forbes [Africa] 30 Under 30 list. They have attracted the attention of investors, as well as have been recipients of awards, including the Google Impact Challenge and the Chivas’ “The Venture” Award for Social Entrepreneurs.

The Entrepreneurship Programme has facilitated exchanges between African entrepreneurs and local and global public sector leaders, investors and development partners, raising their business profiles, scaling their opportunities, showcasing their innovation and identifying ways to further strengthen the business environment in Africa. In June 2018, the Foundation convened a forum with President Emmanuel Macron of France and young African entrepreneurs. In October 2018, the Foundation was proud to have President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya address the gathering of young African entrepreneurs at the TEF Entrepreneurship Forum.

The Foundation’s investment, impact and commitment to advancing entrepreneurship is predicated on the belief that Africa’s entrepreneurs hold the key to unlocking the potential of the continent and facilitating the transformation of Africa.  With this objective, the Tony Elumelu Foundation launched the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, its US$100 million flagship programme to identify over a period of 10 years, 10,000 African startups and entrepreneurs, with ideas that have the potential to transform the African continent. Its goal is to invest in businesses that together can generate at least 1,000,000 new jobs and contribute at least $10 billion in new annual revenues across Africa.

The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is open to citizens and legal residents of all African countries, who run businesses based in Africa that are less than three years old. Business ideas that are yet to launch are also encouraged.

The 2019 Applications will be hosted on the largest digital networking platform for African entrepreneurs – TEFConnect onwww.tefconnect.com.

Photos:

President Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya addressing young African entrepreneurs at the 2018 TEF Entrepreneurship Forum

Tony O. Elumelu, Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and President Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana pose with a beneficiary of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme at the 2018 TEF Entrepreneurship Forum.

A cross-section of excited young African entrepreneurs at the 2018 TEF Entrepreneurship Forum

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“Africa’s Future is in African Hands.” – Tony O. Elumelu at TEF Forum 2018

Pix Caption – TEF Cover 1, 2, 3 and 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 TEF 4:  l-r: Governor, Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu ; Trustee, Tony Elumelu Foundation(TEF) and CEO, Avon Medicals, Dr Awele Elumelu; Business Information Specialist, TEF, Mr Folarin Aiyegbusi; Founder, The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu; President, Republic of Ghana, Dr, Nana Akufo-Addo; Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulahi Abubakar , 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

“Entrepreneurship is the Key to Unlocking Economic Development on Our Continent,” Tony Elumelu Says at the Largest Annual Gathering of African Entrepreneurs, The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum

Thursday, October 25, 2018: 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 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.

One of the highlights was the unveiling of TEFConnect, a revolutionary digital community that brings together the complete entrepreneurship ecosystem 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.

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:

“Our Foundation and its unique approach of training, mentoring and funding have 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 demonstrates 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.

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.”

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

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.

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Afar sano ka dib salkii socdaalka

Waxaan qeyb ka ahaa kana qeyb galay munaasabadda loo qabtay arday saddex kuliyad isugu jiray oo ka qalin jabiyey jaamacadda Geeska Afrika.

Marka laga tago tiro kooban waa da'yar afar sano u soo adkaystay inay mar uun dhameystaan heerka koobaad ee tacliinta.

31-dii December safar dheer ka dib waxaa fadhi ka duwan kii fasalka wada qaatay arday wiilal iyo gabdho leh, macalimiin,waalidiin iyo marti sharaf kale.


Si isaga dhaw sidii hore ayey uga mideysnaayeen dareenka farxadda huwan muddadii lagu sugnaa golihii munaasabadda

Koox-koox ayaan u dhex galayey anoo kula tidcan farxadda balse doonaya inaan wax ka ogaado filashada saaxiibada socdaalkii uu isku-keen sidkay maadama jaamacadi dhamaatay.

Waxay ila wadaageen barkood sheekooyin hoose waxaa ka mid ahaa inuu jiro shaki ku maran oo ka haysta dhanka shaqo helista.

Balse kuwo ayaa ii hogo-tusaaleeyey doonis kale oo ah inay isku hawlayaan hir-gelinta hal abuur, kuwa waxay laabta ku hayaan arrimo u gaara.

Weydiimaha kale ee dhegehayga ku dhacayey jawaabahoodu ay u janjeereen is bogaadin waxaa ka mid ahaa sii wadidda wax-barashada heerarkeeda kale.

Kolba qofka hadalka qaata ee masraxa ka soo muuqda waxaa lagu soorayey sacab iyo sawir, waxaa ku larnaa munaasabadda madadaalo.

Waxay ka sinaayeen ardayda, maamulka jaamacadda iyo martida kale dareenka farxadda oo waxayba u ahaayeen marti

Xaaladihii adkaa ee waayadii Muqdisho iyo kuwii tacliinta u gaar ahaa muusood farxaddi ku dheehan tahay ayaan ku xusayney.

Wasiiru dawlaha wasaaradda wax-barashada Soomaaliya ayaa ka mid ahaa marti sharaftii u hambalyeeyey ardeyda.

Waxa uu maamulka ku bogaadiyey inay xoogga saaraan soo saaridda arday aqoon u leh culuumta muhiimka u ah dalka iyo dadka.

Martidii kale ee kulan ka soo qeyb galay waxaa ka mid ahaa xildhibaan Dalxa, oo inta badan ku dheeraaday ahmiyadda wax-barashada.

Gudoomiyaha jaamacadda Geeska Afrika Maxamed Cusmaan Abba Sheekh ayaa sheegay inay ka go'an tahay soo saaridda arday wax gal ah.

Munaasabadda ayaa ugu dambeyn ku soo dhamaatay shahaado bixin, isku mar-xabayn, iyo sawiro la wada galay.

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