Africapitalism is a development model that prioritises
our youth and creates hope for them; one that creates economic
empowerment and hope for the future” – Tony O. Elumelu, CON.
TEF Forum Day 2 began on an energetic note as two of Africa’s finest
emotional intelligence and leadership experts, Mr. Maxwell Ubah and Mr.
Chike Onyia, took the stage to fire up the crowd in preparation of what
would become the highlight of the 2-day event.
Afterwards, there was a panel discussion on ‘Changing Africa’s
Development Paradigm through Investment & Entrepreneurship’ with
Stephen Haykin, USAID Country Director; Lamin Manneh, Director, UNDP
Regional Service Centre for Africa; Samuel, Bwalya, Country Director,
UNDP; Eloi Filon, Head of Delegation, Red Cross, Nigeria; moderated by
Mr. Frank Nweke II.
During this panel, Mr. Eloi Filon made an announcement committing
$1million to a joint fund with the Tony Elumelu Foundation to help young
entrepreneurs in conflict areas in Nigeria and Africa.
Next was a panel on the “Capital – Destination Africa; Financing
Africa’s future” moderated by Bismarck Rewane with its participants as
Wale Ayeni, Regional Head, Africa Venture Capital Investment, IFC;
Stephen Tio Kauma, Director & Global Head, Human Resources, Afrexim
bank; Heikke Reugger, Mandate Management, Development and Impact
Finance, EIB; and Olivier Delfosse, Country Director, AFD Nigeria.
The next session was a revealing one as our public and private sector
leaders took the stage to debate on the topic “Empowering African
Entrepreneurs: Road to 2024”. Moderated by former Prime Minister of the
Republic of Benin, Mr. Lionel Zinsou, the panel was graced by HE Aminu
Bello Masari, Governor, Katsina state; HE Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari,
Governor, Zamfara state; Oba Otudeko, Chairman, Honeywell Group; and
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote group.
Finally, the Founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu
shared the stage with the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi
Osinbajo, to engage with entrepreneurs on the challenges and possible
solutions to policy formation and infrastructure that will aid the
business environment in Africa. We also had President Macky Sall of
Senegal wished the entrepreneurs well and commended TEF on their impact
on Africa.
Here are a handful of powerful quotes from Day Two event:
Hope and imagination are more potent than history. Dream pursued with
single handedness are more powerful than facts. Courage and persistence
can triumph even over experience – Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
Your history is not necessarily your destiny – Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
Africapitalism is a development model that prioritises our youth and
creates hope for them – one that creates economic empowerment and one
that creates hope for the future – Tony O. Elumelu
Luck should be democratised. It’s not what we keep in our bank accounts that counts but the legacy we leave behind –
Tony O. Elumelu
The private sector working with the public sector can achieve so much by way of development – Oba Otudeko
The empires of the future are actually the empires of the mind – Oba Otudeko
The future is not an inheritance. It is an opportunity and an obligation – Oba Otudeko
May I say to you on my behalf congrats big man Tony. I am extremely
impressed by your idea, vision, confidence and commitment. This is
corporate social responsibility par excellence – Oba Otudeko
Africa in the private sector is dramatically under financed –
Mr. Lionel Zinsou
In many countries like in mine private sector is a new idea –
Mr. Lionel Zinsou
You are the private sector of today and tomorrow – Mr. Lionel Zinsou
Entrepreneurship has the potential to be one of the most potent tools for Africa’s transformation – Alhaji Dangote
Entrepreneurship can increase jobs and increase the middle class – Alhaji Dangote
See photos from the event HERE.
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