Alumni Weekly Newsletter – September 21, 2026
Making money today is good. But what happens when the market changes, resources get tighter, or the way people do business shifts entirely?
That’s where sustainability comes in.
For entrepreneurs, sustainability isn’t just about protecting the environment. It’s about building businesses that can adapt, stay relevant and keep creating value for the long run.
So — how do you build a business that lasts? Keep reading, we’ve got some answers below.
TEF Alumni at UNGA, the IYBA WE4A verification tour rolls into Togo, we’re spotlighting a Burkinabè fashion founder who turned $10 a month into $500, and a Deloitte strategist joins us to talk sustainability.
TEF Alumni at UNGA
The Tony Elumelu Foundation will be launching its 15th Year Impact Report at the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, September 23, and our Alumni will be there live, showcasing their businesses and sharing their entrepreneurial journeys since receiving support from the Foundation.
Show Up for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Last week, the team was in Cameroon, and once again, our Alumni showed up, giving their time, energy and honest support to entrepreneurs still finding their footing.
That’s the thing about this community: nobody forgets who helped them up, so everybody keeps a hand reaching back.
Now, we’re on the move again.
Togo, We’re on Our Way!
Bags? Packed.
Plans? In motion.
Excitement? Definitely.
Today, we’re heading to Togo, and we’re looking forward to meeting the amazing volunteers who will be joining us there.
To our volunteers, bonjour! 👋🏾
We can’t wait to put faces to names, share a few stories, learn from one another and, of course, create some new memories along the way.
Alumni in Ouganda, you’re next on the list. Start getting ready.
And if you would like to volunteer, kindly indicate your interest using the button below.
From $10 a Month to a Regional Ambition
Let’s talk about Adama Bologo.
Before any funding or mentorship, he was in Ouagadougou running Bologo Tunique alone, one machine, basic equipment, and a business bringing in about $10 a month. Not $10,000. Ten dollars.
But here’s what he had that no spreadsheet could capture: a real point of view. He believed African fabrics, bogolan and handwoven cotton didn’t need to stay frozen in the past to matter. They could sit on a modern shirt, a reimagined tunic, a ceremonial piece redesigned for right now.
Heritage and modernity, sharing one garment.
In 2019, the Tony Elumelu Foundation backed that belief with $5,000 in seed capital, business training and mentorship. Adama didn’t just bank it. He put it straight into the business: industrial sewing equipment, cutting tables, better fabric. He brought on two apprentices, young people learning tailoring hands-on, not just watching from the sidelines.
The result? Revenue went from $10 a month to $500. His team grew from one person to four.
Now he’s not stopping at Burkina Faso. Mali, Côte d’Ivoire and Benin are next.
Here’s the real lesson: Adama didn’t wait until the business “looked ready” to take it seriously. He took the belief he already had and matched it with structure, tools and training. That’s the difference between a side hustle and a business that scales.
Follow Bologo Tunique: [Social media handles]
Sustainability for Businesses
We had Jumoke Okewole, Manager, Strategy and Business Design Consulting at Deloitte Nigeria facilitate a masterclass session on “Sustainability for Businesses”. From her knowledge and years of experience, she was able to give insights into how to…
Now, back to the question we opened with: how do you build a business that lasts? Last week’s masterclass tackled it directly.
Did you miss the session or would like a recap? You can watch it on YouTube.
Watch the session on YouTube
Learn Something This Week
Before you jump into the masterclass below, sit with these for a second:
“Entrepreneurship, support for small and medium sized enterprises, in my viewpoint, is one of the ways we can address poverty in a fundamental way.”
— Tony Elumelu
“You must realise that leadership, to a large extent, is not bestowed; it is not handed over to you. You must prepare yourself for leadership, and it will come to you.”
— Tony Elumelu
Keep Your Details Updated
From entrepreneur stories to community opportunities, there’s always something happening across the TEF ecosystem. Keep an eye on your inbox and TEF’s social channels so you don’t miss what’s next.
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