It is no surprise that the worst effects of climate change are expected to be borne by under served regions, countries, and communities in the developing parts of the world like Sub-Saharan Africa with the attendant risks of mass migration and displacement.

However Studies show that while the world is trying to achieve net zero emissions by mid-century, total emissions across Africa are projected to increase 250% by 2050. Majority of the continent don’t see this as a problem because Africa still has by far the lowest Green House Gas Emission on the planet and should not be penalized for the emissions of others. Whilst there is a valid point in this argument the question is can Africa really afford to be thinking like this?

Have we really counted the potential cost Climate Change could have on the continent if left unchecked. The impact this will have on migration and displacement thus exacerbating an already existing crisis currently caused by the lack of economic opportunity for our burgeoning youth population. If we add Climate Crisis to this, Africa could very well be the epicenter or ground zero and this is quite frankly unthinkable.

But therein lies our dilemma, a vast majority of African Youth are not thinking about the unthinkable and this simply renders the unthinkable inevitable if we don’t start thinking about the unthinkable.

The truth is African SMEs are too busy trying to stay afloat to be bothered with the thought of adaptation or Climate Action. Their attitude is my firm may not survive the next fiscal year so what’s my business with the earth dying in 50 years or more. And that is just the stark reality.

Having said that, recent research by the Center for Strategic and International Studies states that addressing climate change in Africa presents a $3 trillion economic investment opportunity in the continent by 2030. The private sector in Africa is critical to adapting to, as well as mitigating, climate change. This is especially true of SMEs, given that they make up a significant part of the continent’s private sector. It is critical that incentivization exists for SMEs to function in a sustainable manner and achieve green growth.

African SMEs’ lack of access to financing unfortunately often forces them to behave in ways that are not sustainable. It is harder for SMEs focused on sustainability and green business to gain financial support because there are typically higher up-front costs and the markets are underdeveloped.

And this is where we come in… At the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we recognise the importance of entrepreneurship empowerment as the roadmap to lasting and sustainable economic development and Climate Adaptation is fast becoming an integral part of this.

In 2015, Our Founder, Mr. Tony Elumelu made a $100m commitment to identify, train, mentor and fund 10,000 African entrepreneurs over ten years. To date we have trained, mentored and funded over 15,000 entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries. Our online digital platform TEFConnect has over 1.5million subscribers and counting.

The good news is that many of the entrepreneurs trained and funded by the Foundation are already addressing these climate change challenges through their businesses. For example,

• We have Zafree Papers in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia, manufactures 100% tree-free pulp, paper and paper products using Agro-waste. Also in Ethiopia we have Helina Tekiu who is a seed bomb manufacturer that provides affordable, fast growing, light weight, and easily available seed balls to increase farmers’ productivity and reforest the deforested parts of Africa. Seedbombing is a man-made method of spreading colonies of trees and plants by using the three basic things needed for a plant to sprout—seed, soil, and nutrients. This increases green space, reduces the labor of ploughing and digging holes, can be thrown in inaccessible places, preserves the health of the soil, among other benefits. Helina has collaborated with the Ministry of Education in Ethiopia (as part of Ethiopia’s Green legacy to plant 4 billion trees), actively trains farmers on ways to manufacture seedballs, and once donated over 500 seedballs to a climate movement.

• We have Libegreen a social enterprise in Tanzania which focuses on reducing waste by repurposing plastic wastes into flower vases, manufacturing plastic flakes and pellets, and conducting recycling trainings and awareness programs.

• Also in Recycling we have award winning Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola Co-founder of Wecyclers—a business whose mission is to help the poor communities of Lagos, Nigeria reclaim their neighbourhoods from the scourge of pollution and waste by creating collection points for recyclable waste creating employment whilst fostering a greener environment.

Plans are in place to prioritize Climate Consciousness as an integral part of our curriculum because the next generation of African entrepreneurs must meet the challenges of the 21st century with a dual mentality which is 1.) a job creating mentality in contrast to the previous generation who were raised with a job seeking mentality and 2.) a Climate Smart mentality which is in contrast with the previous generation raised with a book smart or street smart mentality. The new smart is clearly Climate smart…and we are poised to raise up a generation of climate smart foot soldiers to mitigate the climate crisis on the continent.

Initiatives such as the ACMI, in partnership with the Africa Union, the United Nations and the World Bank is bringing climate awareness to Africa’s doorstep. With platforms such as this combined with our reach at community level we are rising to address these challenges collectively and pragmatically by integrating Adaptation and Climate Mitigation Education into our training and capacity building interventions…our commitment at the Tony Elumelu Foundation is to leverage our vast network to raise the awareness of millions of young people across all 54 African countries which will have the desired knock on effect of a more climate conscious Africa by 2030.

The post Keynote Address Delivered by Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, TEF CEO at ACMI Forum appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Similar to the high-level meeting in March 2021, when TEF hosted the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA), Wamkele Mene, to identify new opportunities presented by the AfCFTA to jointly strengthen, scale and support small and medium scale enterprises across all 54 African countries, the interactive session explored how Africa’s youth demography can be effectively positioned to take advantage of opportunities of the AfCFTA. Echoing the mission of the Foundation, Ifeyinwa reiterated how entrepreneurship has the potential to improve the economic status for both entrepreneurs themselves and their communities. The session was a chance to challenge the youth to think creatively and look inwards for opportunities that can be scaled through the framework of the AFCFTA. Here is a summary of some of her points:

The TEF and UNDP Entrepreneurship Intervention For Africa’s Youth:

• The Tony Elumelu Foundation entered an MOU with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2017 to scale our mission to empower young African entrepreneurs, with focus on marginalized and undeserved demographics across Africa.
• TEF and the UNDP have jointly funded close to 4,000 African entrepreneurs from the Sahel region; Mali, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Mauritania, and North-East Nigeria, to all countries across the regions of the continent.
• Beneficiaries of the TEF and UNDP partnership have delivered significant impact in their local communities. Read more about their success stories here.

The Importance of AfCFTA to African entrepreneurs:

• A recent report by the World Bank indicates that the AFCFTA trade pact could boost regional income by 7% or $450 billion, speed up wage growth for women, and lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty by 2035.

• The pandemic has had an obvious negative effect on Africa’s growth and development and a successful implementation of AfCFTA would help cushion these effects by supporting regional trade and value chains through the reduction of trade costs.

• Statistics show that Africa currently has the lowest percentage of intra-regional trade in the world at 18%, compared with 70% in Europe, 55% in North America, 45% in Asia, and 35% in Latin America.

• These alarming figures are the reason why platforms like these are important. Trade is an integral factor for development for economy and who better to explore the opportunities of this trade than the biggest stakeholders, the youth.

• Again, a successful implementation of the AfCFTA will greatly increase regional trade levels up, increase the continent’s annual economic growth, create wealth more inclusively and reduce poverty. The possibilities are endless when trade policies, regulations, and institutions of all 54 countries on the continent are aligned.

• One of the benefits of AfCFTA will be tariff reduction or a total elimination of custom duties on imported goods from within the continent. This way business in Africa can trade with each other without having to worry about the tariff barrier that currently exists.

• When businesses can trade freely with each other on the continent, it provides a much more stable trade ecosystem, freer movement of people, goods, and services, increased continental market access for SMEs, more efficient knowledge transfer, amongst others.These are positive indicators for investors looking for opportunities within the continent.

• An increase in intra-continental trade will invariably lead to an increase in economies of scale. Business owners will be able to purchase raw materials at a much cheaper rate, enjoy cheaper costs and more easily scale their operations. This will allow them to be better and more seamlessly integrated into the global market.

Equipping young entrepreneurs with the resources and competencies to harness the benefits of a unified economy:

• Africa’s move towards becoming one single continental economy will be an economic revolution which must be greatly encouraged. This is owed to the fact that the opportunities that the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) presents will see to the unifying of over1.2 billion people and a combined GDP of over $3.4 trillion. Going by these numbers alone, the possibilities of growth and prosperity on the continent, are endless.

• Considering the large percentage of young people on the continent; it is evident that young and enterprising African will be the key drivers on our path to becoming a single economy. They play such an integral part in being able to harness the opportunities that the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) offers.

• To ensure that these young Africans are well equipped to take advantage of the benefits of a unified continental economy, platforms such as the Youth Connect Africa Summit are also very important. This platform is not only a gathering of young people across the continent, hungry to make an impact but also, government officials, policy makers and any individual or organisation who plays a role in youth development

• We need to create and implement policies that encourage and support entrepreneurship within the region. The entrepreneurship ecosystem must be enabling and conducive to encourage young people to go down that path.

TEF’s mandate to equip African youth to explore trade opportunities on the continent:

• At the Tony Elumelu Foundation, to advance our mission to empower African youths, we created TEFConnect. This our proprietary digital platform that provides capacity-building support, advisory and market linkages to over 1 million Africans and counting. It is the largest digital networking platform for African Entrepreneurs. Through this platform, entrepreneurs from across the continent can network and access world class trainings and mentorships that will benefit their businesses in the immediate and the continent at large in the long run.

• At the Foundation, we continue to equip young Africa entrepreneurs to take advantage of these trade opportunities through our annual entrepreneurship programme. The entrepreneurs undergo world-class business training, have access to mentorship and receive a non-refundable seed capital up to $5,000, and global networking opportunities.

• This is made possible through our Founder’s $100 million commitment to empower 10,000 African entrepreneurs in 10 years in line with the belief that African entrepreneurs are the major drivers of economic growth. A belief that formed our founding philosophy known as Africapitalism.

The post The Possibilities Are Endless When Trade Policies, Regulations, And Institutions On The Continent Are Aligned appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Countries like Nigeria, with existing vulnerabilities, are currently experiencing a rise in inflation rates, a result of the ripple effects of lockdowns and national restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the virus.

Addressing the state of food security in Africa is necessary in order to achieve a sustainable economic development and create an inclusive and shared-prosperity for its people.

In a conversation between the CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation,, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu and Director of Europe & Geopolitics, Shada Islam, Ifeyinwa highlighted the wrong priority on emphasising a financial economy than a real economy. “The focus should be on people, on jobs, on human capital, on productivity, as opposed to financial markets,” Ifeyinwa said in the interview.

“In order to create a future that is resilient and sustainable, the first port of call is food security. Food security for Africa, and for the globe,” she continued.

According to the January 2013 IISD Report “Food Price Inflation and Food Security: A Morocco case study”, “there is a need to meet domestic demand for food staples by easing restrictions on imports and continuing to reduce the gap between most-favoured nation tariffs and preferential tariffs, while keeping in mind the need to mitigate potential unintended negative consequences.”

Achieving food security requires that sufficient quantities of appropriate foods are consistently available, and that individuals, families and communities have adequate incomes or other resources to purchase or acquire food. However, this is a multi-dimensional problem which can be linked to healthcare, conflicts, policies, politics, leadership, trade, economic interests, and the environment.

Key drivers of food insecurity have expanded beyond conflict, and countries that have been affected would need to take a deep dive to figure out a compromise between policy and institutional reform, conflict resolution, infrastructure development, and the funding and implementation of community-based, food security-enhancing investments.

The post Tackling Food Insecurity in Africa appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Em 2020, o mundo parou, mas nós não.

Quando lançamos a Fundação Tony Elumelu em 2010, fizemos algo novo na África – “democratizamos” a sorte. Em minha própria jornada empresarial, eu sabia que a sorte tinha desempenhado um papel importante e estava determinado a que outros, muitos outros, tivessem as mesmas chances.

Criamos uma instituição com um único foco: jovens empreendedores africanos. Há dez anos, sabíamos que, se equipássemos os jovens com as ferramentas e as oportunidades de sucesso, essa seria a única maneira sustentável e digna de criar um caminho de prosperidade para todos; substituindo apostilas por autossuficiência e sendo pioneira em uma filantropia do século 21.

Queríamos mudar a forma como a África é percebida e como a África cresce – criando algo transformador, escalável, inclusivo, focado na juventude e liderado pela África. A ajuda tem um papel, salvou muitas vidas, mas não desafia o status quo. O empreendedorismo, não a caridade, nos dá controle e nos permite desenvolver nossos talentos, aproveitar nosso impulso e nossa resiliência, como africanos.

Ao comemorarmos 10 anos, olhamos para as iniciativas que criaram independência e autossustentação: O Programa de Profissionais Elumelu trouxe alunos de MBA das principais escolas de negócios globais para empresas africanas, demonstrando as oportunidades em nosso continente; o Prêmio Tony & Awele Elumelu, que reconhece centenas de estudantes de alto desempenho de universidades de toda a África; um Fundo de Empreendedorismo de $ 100.000 para financiamento inicial de 20 empresas de tecnologia africanas líderes; o Impact Economy Innovations Fund (IEIF) – uma iniciativa conjunta de US $ 650.000 com a Fundação Rockefeller para identificar e financiar start-ups catalíticos em toda a África; e em 2015, em parceria com o governo dos EUA para lançar a Iniciativa SPARK, uma plataforma do setor privado para promover uma maior cooperação e colaboração global para o empreendedorismo.

Mais importante ainda, celebramos nosso Programa de Empreendedorismo, que financiou, treinou e orientou mais de 9.000 jovens empreendedores em menos de sete anos e, com a ajuda de nosso hub TEFConnect de acesso aberto, atingiu milhões na África. Muitas instituições parceiras globais, como a Comissão Europeia, o Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento, a Cruz Vermelha e o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento aderiram ao movimento.

O que fazemos se tornou cada vez mais importante em 2020.

O DESAFIO DE COVID

Era imperativo que respondêssemos imediatamente. Fomos um dos primeiros a catalisar os esforços de recuperação da Covid-19 pan-africana, com uma doação de US $ 14 milhões por meio da Fundação United Bank for Africa, para governos de toda a África. A África precisava galvanizar rapidamente seus próprios recursos e garantir que continuemos a proteger pessoas e empresas, vidas e meios de subsistência.

TEFConnect, – a maior comunidade digital para empreendedores africanos, ultrapassando fronteiras, cultura, idioma e setores, também desempenhou um papel crítico. A plataforma ajuda a garantir a competitividade, o crescimento e a escala do setor privado africano. Implantamos rapidamente o TEFConnect para atender às necessidades de uma comunidade empreendedora, significativamente desafiada pela pandemia. Enquanto o mundo fechava, oferecemos masterclasses conduzidos por especialistas para encorajar o ecossistema das PME africanas, cobrindo tópicos perspicazes sobre o crescimento e inovação dos negócios que contribuíram para como as empresas podem se adaptar ao novo normal.

Fizemos treinamento de classe mundial, com instituições como a Universidade de Yale, e trouxemos habilidades de gerenciamento de projetos e mecanismo de enfrentamento de saúde mental para empreendedores africanos, cuidando de sua mente e espírito, enquanto os ajudamos a reestruturar seus negócios para o novo normal. TEFConnect ajudou a garantir uma rede mais forte de empreendedores africanos. Nosso raciocínio é simples: usar os recursos naturais africanos para fornecer energia à África, criar cadeias de valor baseadas na África e garantir a criação de valor baseada na África. Treinamos e equipamos milhares de empreendedores por meio do TEFConnect durante a paralisação e continuaremos a alcançar ainda mais.

Foi um ano de desafios extraordinários, cujo impacto econômico nos acompanhará por muitos anos, e fomos incansáveis ​​em avançar.

O PODER DA PARCERIA

Com nossas parcerias, alavancamos nossa plataforma e processo robustos e estendemos nosso alcance. A pandemia interrompeu os negócios e as PMEs estão encolhendo, as empresas precisam fazer mais com menos recursos e há volatilidade nos gastos do consumidor.

Agora, mais do que nunca, convidamos você a se juntar a nós nesta jornada, para trabalhar lado a lado para expandir nosso Programa de Empreendedorismo, em todos os 54 países africanos, para dar a mais jovens empreendedores uma chance de sucesso, uma tábua de salvação.

Parceria de 20 milhões de euros com a União Europeia – Defendendo a Mulher Empreendedora

Temos o prazer de anunciar a nossa parceria de 20 milhões de euros com a Comissão Europeia e a Organização dos Estados da África, Caraíbas e Pacífico (OACPS), para apoiar mais de 2.500 mulheres empresárias, fornecer formação empresarial sensível ao género, bem como capital inicial para negócios de mulheres africanas que navegem pelas fases de start-up e crescimento inicial.

As estatísticas sobre o empreendedorismo feminino na África são moderadoras – as mulheres representam 58% da população autônoma do continente, mas ganham 34% menos lucros em média, com um déficit financeiro estimado de $ 20 bilhões para as mulheres africanas. Nosso objetivo é que mais mulheres participem do desenvolvimento econômico, realizem todo o seu potencial e acelerem a inclusão econômica. Por muito tempo, as mulheres africanas enfrentaram obstáculos sistêmicos para iniciar, crescer e manter seus negócios. Estamos aliviando o financiamento, o conhecimento e as restrições de mercado que ameaçam os meios de subsistência dessas empresárias no continente e promovemos um ambiente que criará mais renda, empregos, crescimento e escala para os negócios pertencentes a mulheres.

Programa de Empreendedorismo TEF-PNUD Mali

Vemos o empreendedorismo como a solução para os desafios muito visíveis que vemos na África: migração forçada, extremismo e instabilidade política.

Com o Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento (PNUD), lançamos o Programa de Empreendedorismo do TEF-PNUD no Mali para treinar, orientar e financiar 10.000 jovens empreendedores do Mali, durante um período de 3 anos. Mais de 1,7 milhão de pessoas foram deslocadas pela violência no Mali desde 2012, parte da crise mais ampla do Sahel. Com as perturbações políticas no país, a agitação juvenil, a violência e a insegurança generalizadas, o Programa de Empreendedorismo do TEF-PNUD no Mali aborda os fatores econômicos que perpetuam o conflito e a agitação. Nosso Programa de Empreendedorismo demonstra que o empreendedorismo é a ferramenta singular mais eficaz para a criação de empregos, oportunidades, esperança econômica, ao mesmo tempo que promove o crescimento sustentado, a redução da pobreza e, em última análise, a paz e a estabilidade. Entregamos este programa no prazo de 8 semanas, com orientação, treinamento e desembolso de fundos para 1.860 jovens empreendedores do Mali antes de 30 de dezembro.

PROGRAMA DE EMPREENDEDORISMO TONY ELUMELU

Agora em nosso 7º ano administrando o maior programa de empreendedorismo do continente, estamos particularmente focados na igualdade de gênero como um caminho crítico para aumentar e expandir os efeitos positivos do trabalho que fazemos na Fundação. A maioria de nossos empreendedores está familiarizada com essa ênfase na inclusão. Nosso Programa de Empreendedorismo visa todos os setores e todas as etapas do negócio, desde a fase de concepção, por um motivo: o desenvolvimento sustentável deve ser inclusivo. É o único canal para uma mudança verdadeira e tangível. Quando pensamos em transformação socioeconômica, quem estamos deixando para trás e a que custo? As mulheres, que muitas vezes desempenham o papel duplo de provedoras de família e cuidadoras, estão entre as mais atingidas pela pandemia COVID-19. As mulheres ganham menos, poupam menos, têm empregos menos seguros e são mais propensas a trabalhar na economia informal, com menos acesso à proteção social.

AUDIÇÃO

Quando falamos sobre o trabalho que fazemos, precisamos ter certeza de que também estamos ouvindo.

Foi nesta escuta que refinámos o nosso conteúdo de formação empresarial para empreendedores – um currículo para empreendedores iniciantes, intermédios e avançados – para os podermos assistir de forma adequada no seu próprio percurso de conhecimento. Sabemos que atingir nossos objetivos exige revisões periódicas em como operamos.

Também estamos fazendo um balanço dos dados que coletamos nos últimos dez anos, analisando as lições aprendidas por nossos empreendedores em suas viagens, entendendo melhor nosso impacto e os resultados de nossas intervenções na África. Este trabalho é essencial para que possamos refletir sobre a melhor forma de continuar a capacitar, servir e apoiar start-ups na África.

ANSIOSOS

Sabemos que um setor privado estável e competitivo é um pré-requisito para a prosperidade econômica e resolverá algumas de nossas necessidades mais urgentes como continente. Devemos todos promover de forma proativa a filosofia do africapitalismo que posiciona o setor privado, e mais importante os empreendedores, como o catalisador para o desenvolvimento social e econômico do continente africano. Eu defendo este esforço de advocacia com formuladores de políticas, governos e Chefes de Estado em todas as oportunidades que surgem quer em casa na África e globalmente.

Foi por permanecermos fiéis à nossa filosofia sobre o africapitalismo e nosso papel como líderes do setor privado africano, que nossa curadora na Fundação e fundadora e CEO da Avon Medical, Dra. Awele Elumelu, foi nomeada para o Conselho Consultivo do Instituto de Saúde Global de Yale .

No hackathon afro-europeu online com o Presidente da Estônia em Dezembro passado, (UE: A JORNADA PÓS-CRISE DA ÁFRICA), falei sobre a necessidade de um ambiente propício para as start-ups africanas e como as inovações e os negócios não terão sucesso de outra forma. Continuo inspirado pelas possibilidades que podem ser cultivadas a partir do rico solo fértil da África, onde o acesso, a inovação e o discípulo se encontram e se sobrepõem. Fico muito animado com os nossos empreendedores, que agora têm capacidade para criar mais empregos, que estendem a mensagem do esforço coletivo, que permite que cada vez mais pessoas fiquem cada vez menos fadadas à pobreza.

Nos próximos 10 anos, à medida que a Fundação alcança sua meta de capacitar 10.000 empreendedores com antecedência, nosso foco é acelerar o alcance e o impacto para outros milhares. Falamos sobre a necessidade de transformação, sim, mas nenhuma transformação verdadeira é possível sem todos nós. A magia da filantropia é que uma vida mudada afeta muito mais pessoas. Nosso principal motivo para advocacy é promover o valor e a auto-estima de nossas identidades como africanos. Que possamos realmente promover nossas próprias comunidades. Sentimo-nos humildes pelo espírito de empreendedorismo na África.

Em nome do Conselho de Curadores, funcionários, amigos e empreendedores da Fundação Tony Elumelu, quero saudar nossa resiliência e expressar total confiança em nossa capacidade de fazer o bem significativo, mensurável e sustentável.

The post O PODER DO EMPREENDEDORISMO EM MEIO À INCERTEZA appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

En 2020, le monde s’est arrêté, mais pas nous.

Quand nous avons lancé la Fondation Tony Elumelu en 2010, nous avons fait quelque chose de nouveau en Afrique – nous “avons démocratisé” la chance. Dans mon propre parcours entrepreneurial, j’ai su que la chance avait joué un rôle important, et j’étais déterminé que d’autres, beaucoup d’autres, obtiendraient ces mêmes chances

Nous avons créé une institution avec un focus unique : les jeunes entrepreneurs africains. Dix ans plutôt, nous avons su que si nous équipions les jeunes gens avec les outils et les opportunités pour réussir, ça serait la seule pérenne, très digne voie pour créer un chemin pour la prospérité pour tous ; remplaçant la main d’œuvre pour l’autosuffisance et frayant un chemin pour une philanthropie du 21è siècle.

Nous voulions changer comment l’Afrique est perçue et comment l’Afrique croît – créant quelque chose de transformatif, évolutif, inclusif, orienté jeune et dirigé vers l’Afrique. L’aide a un rôle, il a sauvé plusieurs vies ; mais il ne défie pas le statut quo. L’entrepreneuriat, pas la charité, nous donne le contrôle et nous permet de croitre nos talents ; arme notre conduite et notre résilience, comme africains.

Comme nous avons célébré 10 ans, nous avons regardé en arrière sur les initiatives qui ont créées l’indépendance et l’auto-soutenance : le programme professionnel de Elumelu a mener les étudiants en MBA de la principale école globale d’affaires aux affaires africaines, démontrant les opportunités sur notre continent ; le prix Tony & Awele Elumelu, reconnaissant des centaines d’étudiants les plus performants des universités à travers l’Afrique ; un fond d’entrepreneuriat de $100,000 de financement d’amorçage pour 20 principaux projets technologiques africains ; le fond d’impact économique pour l’innovation (FIEI) – une initiative jointe de USS650,000 avec la Fondation Rockefeller pour identifier et financer les start-ups catalytiques à travers l’Afrique ; et en 2015, le partenariat avec le gouvernement des USA pour lancer l’initiative SPARK, une plateforme de secteur privé pour stimuler une coopération globale plus grande et une collaboration pour l’entrepreneuriat.

Plus important, nous avons célébré notre programme d’entrepreneuriat, qui a financé, formé et mentoré plus de 9 000 jeunes entrepreneurs en moins de sept ans, et avec l’aide de notre hub à accès libre TEFConnect, atteint les millions d’entrepreneurs en Afrique. Plusieurs partenaires globaux tel que la Commission Européenne, le Programme des Nations Unies pour le Développement, la Croix Rouge, la Banque Africaine de Développement ont maintenant rejoint le mouvement.

Ce que nous sommes devenus est toujours plus important en 2020

LE DEFIS DU COVID

Il était impératif que nous répondions immédiatement. Nous étions parmi les premiers à catalyser les efforts Pan-Africains de rétablissement, avec la donation de US$14 million par notre Fondation UBA (United Bank for Africa), aux gouvernements à travers l’Afrique. L’Afrique avait besoin de rapidement galvaniser ses propres ressources et s’assurer que nous continuons de protéger les personnes et leurs affaires, vies et moyens de vie.

TEFConnect – la plus large communauté numérique pour les entrepreneurs africains, passant entre les frontières, cultures, langues, et secteurs, a aussi joué un rôle critique. La plateforme aide à assurer la compétitivité, la croissance, et l’évolutivité du secteur privé africain. Nous avons rapidement déployé TEFConnect pour satisfaire les besoins de la communauté entrepreneuriale, significativement en défis par la pandémie. Quand le monde s’est arrêté, nous avons offert des masterclasses menés par des experts pour encourager l’écosystème des PME africaines, couvrant thèmes perspicaces autour de la croissance en affaire, l’innovation qui contribue à comment les affaires peuvent s’adapter au nouveau normal.

Nous avons organisé une formation de classe du mondiale, avec des établissements tels que l’université de Yale, et avons apporté les qualifications en gestion de projet et de mécanisme d’adaptation mentale aux entrepreneurs africains, prenant soin leur pensée et leur esprit, nous les avons aidés pour restructurer leurs affaires pour le nouveau normal. TEFConnect a aidé à assurer un réseau plus fort des entrepreneurs africains. Notre raisonnement est simple : employer les ressources naturelles africaines pour actionner l’Afrique, pour créer les chaines de valeurs basées sur l’Afrique et pour assurer la création de valeur basée sur l’Afrique. Nous avons formé et avons équipé des milliers d’entrepreneurs par TEFConnect pendant l’arrêt et continuerons à atteindre encore plus.

C’était une année du défi extraordinaire, dont l’impact économique sera avec nous pendant des années à venir, et nous étions implacables en poussant en avant.

LA PUISSANCE DU PARTENARIAT

Avec nos partenariats, nous influençons notre robuste plateforme et process, et prolongeons notre extension. La pandémie a perturbé les affaires et les PME étaient craintives, les entreprises ont besoin de faire plus avec moins de ressources et il y’a volatilité dans la dépense des consommateurs.

Maintenant plus que jamais avant, nous vous invitons à rejoindre le voyage, pour travailler de concert pour mesurer notre programme d’entrepreneuriat, à travers les 54 pays africains, pour donner plus de chances de réussite aux jeunes entrepreneurs, une ligne de sauvetage.

Partenariat avec l’Union Européenne pour €20m – soutien l’Entrepreneur féminin

Nous avons été enchantés d’annoncer notre partenariat avec la Commission Européenne et l’Organisation des Etats de l’Afrique, Caraïbes et Pacifique (ACP) de €20 million, pour soutenir plus de 2 500 femmes entrepreneurs, fournir des formations sensibles aux femmes, aussi bien que les capitaux d’amorçage pour les entreprises de femmes africaines pour naviguer entre les start-ups et phases premières de croissance.

Les statistiques sur l’entrepreneuriat féminin en Afrique sont chatiantes – les femmes représentent 58% de la population africaine des auto-employés mais gagnent 34% de profit moins que la moyenne, avec un gap de financement de $20M pour les femmes africaines. Notre objectif est pour les femmes de participer au développement économique, de réaliser leur plein potentiel et accélérer l’inclusion économique. Pendant très longtemps, les femmes africaines ont enduré les obstacles systémiques pour démarrer, croître, et pérenniser leurs entreprises. Nous allons alléger le financement, les connaissances et les contraintes de marché menaçant le gagne-pain de ces femmes entrepreneures sur le continent, et favoriser un environnement qui créera plus de revenus, emplois, croissance, et évolutivité pour les entreprises détenues par les femmes.

Le Programme d’Entrepreneuriat du TEF-UNDP Mali

Nous voyons l’entrepreneuriat comme une solution pour les défis les plus visibles qu’on voie en Afrique : migration forcée, extrémisme, et instabilité politique.

Avec le Programme des Nations Unies Pour le Développement (PNUD), nous avons lancé le Programme d’Entrepreneuriat du TEF-UNDP Mali, pour former, mentorer, et financer 10 000 jeunes entrepreneurs maliens, pour une période de 3 ans. Plus de 1.7 million de personnes ont été déplacés par la violence au Mali depuis 2012, une partie de la crise transfrontalière du Sahel. Avec les perturbations politiques dans le pays, le malaise de la jeunesse ; la violence et l’insécurité répandues, le Programme d’Entrepreneuriat du TEF-PNUD Mali s’attaque aux facteurs économiques qui perpétuent le conflit et le trouble. Notre Programme d’entrepreneuriat démontre que l’entrepreneuriat est l’outil singulier le plus effectif pour créer des emplois, les opportunités l’espoir économique, lorsque qu’on stimule une croissance soutenable, la réduction de la pauvreté, et enfin la paix et la stabilité. Nous avons délivré ce programme dans un délai de 8 semaines, mentorant, formant et décaissant un financement à 1860 jeunes entrepreneurs maliens avant le 30 décembre.

PROGRAMME D’ENTREPRENEURIAT DE TONY ELUMELU

Maintenant en notre 7^ème année de fonctionnement le plus grand programme d’entrepreneuriat sur le continent, nous sommes en particulier concentrés sur l’égalité de genre comme chemin critique pour augmenter et à étendre les effets positifs du travail que nous effectuons à la Fondation. La plupart de nos entrepreneurs sont au courant de cette accentuation sur l’inclusivité. Notre programme d’entrepreneuriat vise tous les secteurs, et toutes les étapes des affaires, partant de l’étape de concept, pour une raison : le développement soutenable doit être inclusif. C’est le seul canal pour un vrai et réel changement. Quand nous pensons à la transformation socio-économique, qui laissons-nous derrière et à quel coût ? les femmes, qui tiennent souvent le double rôle de soutien familial et de preneuses de soin, sont parmi le coup le plus durement touchées par la pandémie à Covid-19. Les femmes gagnent moins, économisent moins, tiennent les emplois moins sécurisés, et sont pour être utilisées dans l’économie informelle, avec moins d’accès à la protection sociale.

ECOUTE

Quand nous parlons de ce que nous faisons, nous avons besoin de savoir que nous sommes aussi bien écoutés.

C’est dans cette écoute que nous avons raffiné notre contenu de formation en affaires pour entrepreneurs – par un programme pour entrepreneurs débutants, intermédiaires et avancés – de sorte nous puissions convenablement les assister dans leur propre chemin de connaissances. Nous savons que accomplir notre objectif exige des revues périodiques de comment nous fonctionnons.

Nous avons aussi examinés les données que nous avions collectées durant les dix années passées, analysant les leçons apprises par nos entrepreneurs dans leur parcours, comprenant mieux notre impact et les résultats de notre intervention en Afrique. Ce travail est essentiel pour nous d’être capable de refléter comment mieux continuer d’autonomiser, servir et soutenir les start-ups en Afrique.

REGARD EN AVANT

Nous savons qu’un secteur privé stable et concurrentiel est une chose nécessaire à la prospérité économique et résoudra certaines de nos nécessités plus pressantes comme continent. Nous devons tous proactivement promouvoir la philosophie Africapitalisme qui place le secteur privé, et d’une manière primordiale les entrepreneurs, comme catalyseur pour le développement économique et social du continent africain. Je soutiens cet effort de plaidoyer avec les politiques, les gouvernements et les chefs d’Etat à chaque occasion qui se présente aussi bien ici en Afrique et que dans le monde.

C’était en restant vraie à notre philosophie sur l’Africapitalisme et notre rôle en tant que leaders du secteur privé africain, que notre administrateur à la Fondation et fondateur et Directrice Générale  d’Avon médical, DR Awele Elumelu, a été nommé à l’institut de Yale pour le comité consultatif de santé globale.

Au hackathon Africain-Européen en ligne avec le président de l’Estonie en décembre passé, (EU : L’AFRIQUE LE VOYAGE POST CRISE), j’ai parlé au sujet du besoin d’environnement favorable pour les start-ups africaines, et comment les innovations et les entreprises ne réussiront pas autrement.  Je reste inspiré par les possibilités qui peuvent être développées hors de la terre fertile riche de l’Afrique, où l’accès, l’innovation et le disciple se rencontrent et s’imbriquent. Je suis ainsi si excité au sujet de nos entrepreneurs, qui ont maintenant la capacité de créer plus d’emplois, qui prolongent le message de l’effort collectif, qui permettent à de plus en plus personnes d’être de moins en moins liées à la pauvreté.

Pour les 10 ans comme la Fondation qui a atteint son objectif d’autonomisation de 10 000 entrepreneurs dans le temps, notre focus est d’accélérer l’atteinte et l’impact pour avoir des milliers en plus. Nous parlons pour le besoin en transformation, oui, mais pas la vrai transformation est possible sans chacun de nous. La magie de la philanthropie est qu’une vie changée impacte beaucoup plus de gens. Notre première raison pour le plaidoyer est de promouvoir la valeur de l’auto-appréciation dans nos identités comme africains. Que nous pouvons véritablement avancer dans notre propre communauté. Nous sommes émus par l’esprit d’entrepreneuriat en Afrique.

Au nom du conseil d’administration, des employés, des amis et des entrepreneurs de la Fondation Tony Elumelu, je veux saluer votre résilience et exprimer ma pleine confiance en notre capacité de faire des biens significatifs, mesurables et pérennes.

Quand nous parlons de ce que nous faisons, nous avons besoin de savoir que nous sommes aussi bien écoutés.

C’est dans cette écoute que nous avons raffiné notre contenu de formation en affaires pour entrepreneurs – par un programme pour entrepreneurs débutants, intermédiaires et avancés – de sorte nous puissions convenablement les assister dans leur propre chemin de connaissances. Nous savons que accomplir notre objectif exige des revues périodiques de comment nous fonctionnons.

Nous avons aussi examinés les données que nous avions collectées durant les dix années passées, analysant les leçons apprises par nos entrepreneurs dans leur parcours, comprenant mieux notre impact et les résultats de notre intervention en Afrique. Ce travail est essentiel pour nous d’être capable de refléter comment mieux continuer d’autonomiser, servir et soutenir les start-ups en Afrique.

REGARD EN AVANT

Nous savons qu’un secteur privé stable et concurrentiel est une chose nécessaire à la prospérité économique et résoudra certaines de nos nécessités plus pressantes comme continent. Nous devons tous proactivement promouvoir la philosophie Africapitalisme qui place le secteur privé, et d’une manière primordiale les entrepreneurs, comme catalyseur pour le développement économique et social du continent africain. Je soutiens cet effort de plaidoyer avec les politiques, les gouvernements et les chefs d’Etat à chaque occasion qui se présente aussi bien ici en Afrique et que dans le monde.

C’était en restant vraie à notre philosophie sur l’Africapitalisme et notre rôle en tant que leaders du secteur privé africain, que notre administrateur à la Fondation et fondateur et Directrice Générale  d’Avon médical, DR Awele Elumelu, a été nommé à l’institut de Yale pour le comité consultatif de santé globale.

Au hackathon Africain-Européen en ligne avec le président de l’Estonie en décembre passé, (EU : L’AFRIQUE LE VOYAGE POST CRISE), j’ai parlé au sujet du besoin d’environnement favorable pour les start-ups africaines, et comment les innovations et les entreprises ne réussiront pas autrement.  Je reste inspiré par les possibilités qui peuvent être développées hors de la terre fertile riche de l’Afrique, où l’accès, l’innovation et le disciple se rencontrent et s’imbriquent. Je suis ainsi si excité au sujet de nos entrepreneurs, qui ont maintenant la capacité de créer plus d’emplois, qui prolongent le message de l’effort collectif, qui permettent à de plus en plus personnes d’être de moins en moins liées à la pauvreté.

Pour les 10 ans comme la Fondation qui a atteint son objectif d’autonomisation de 10 000 entrepreneurs dans le temps, notre focus est d’accélérer l’atteinte et l’impact pour avoir des milliers en plus. Nous parlons pour le besoin en transformation, oui, mais pas la vrai transformation est possible sans chacun de nous. La magie de la philanthropie est qu’une vie changée impacte beaucoup plus de gens. Notre première raison pour le plaidoyer est de promouvoir la valeur de l’auto-appréciation dans nos identités comme africains. Que nous pouvons véritablement avancer dans notre propre communauté. Nous sommes émus par l’esprit d’entrepreneuriat en Afrique.

Au nom du conseil d’administration, des employés, des amis et des entrepreneurs de la Fondation Tony Elumelu, je veux saluer votre résilience et exprimer ma pleine confiance en notre capacité de faire des biens significatifs, mesurables et pérennes.

The post LA PUISSANCE DE L’ENTREPRENEURIAT PARMI L’INCERTITUDE appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

في عام 2020 ، توقف العالم ، لكننا لم نفعل ذلك.

عندما أطلقنا مؤسسة توني إلوميلو في عام 2010 ، فعلنا شيئا جديدا في أفريقيا – لقد “دمقرطة” الحظ. في رحلتي الريادية الخاصة ، كنت أعرف أن الحظ لعب دورا مهما ، وكنت مصمما على أن الآخرين ، كثيرين آخرين ، سيحصلون على نفس الفرص.

أنشأنا مؤسسة ذات تركيز واحد: رواد الأعمال الأفارقة الشباب. قبل عشر سنوات ، كنا نعلم أنه إذا قمنا بتجهيز الشباب بالأدوات والفرص للنجاح ، فقد كانت هذه هي الطريقة الوحيدة المستدامة والكريمة لخلق طريق إلى الرخاء للجميع ؛ استبدال النشرات بالاعتماد على الذات وريادة الأعمال الخيرية في القرن 21.

أردنا تغيير كيف ينظر إلى أفريقيا وكيف تنمو أفريقيا-خلق شيء تحويلي وقابل للتطوير وشامل ويركز على الشباب ويقوده الأفارقة. للمعونة دور ، فقد أنقذت العديد من الأرواح ، لكنها لا تتحدى الوضع الراهن. إن ريادة الأعمال ، وليس الأعمال الخيرية ، تمنحنا السيطرة وتتيح لنا تنمية مواهبنا ، وتسخير محركنا ومرونتنا ، كأفارقة. 

مع احتفالنا بسنوات 10 ، نظرنا إلى الوراء في المبادرات التي خلقت الاستقلال والدعم الذاتي: جلب برنامج المهنيين إلوميلو طلاب ماجستير إدارة الأعمال من كليات إدارة الأعمال العالمية الرائدة إلى الشركات الأفريقية ، مما يدل على الفرص المتاحة في قارتنا ؛ جائزة توني&   Aweleإلوميلو، التي تعترف بمئات الطلاب الأكثر أداء من الجامعات في جميع أنحاء أفريقيا ؛ صندوق ريادة الأعمال بقيمة 100,000 تمويل البذور 20 شركات التكنولوجيا الأفريقية الرائدة; صندوق Impact Economy Innovations Fund (IEIF) – مبادرة مشتركة بقيمة 650,000 دولار أمريكي مع مؤسسة روكفلر لتحديد وتمويل الشركات الناشئة الحفازة في جميع أنحاء إفريقيا ؛ وفي عام 2015 ، الشراكة مع حكومة الولايات المتحدة لإطلاق مبادرة SPARK ، وهي منصة القطاع الخاص لتعزيز المزيد من التعاون العالمي والتعاون من أجل ريادة الأعمال.

الأهم من ذلك ، احتفلنا ببرنامجنا لريادة الأعمال ، الذي قام بتمويل وتدريب وإرشاد أكثر من 9,000 من رواد الأعمال الشباب في أقل من سبع سنوات ، وبمساعدة مركز TEFConnect المفتوح ، وصل إلى الملايين في أفريقيا. وقد انضم إلى الحركة الآن العديد من المؤسسات العالمية الشريكة مثل المفوضية الأوروبية وبرنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي والصليب الأحمر ومصرف التنمية الأفريقي.

ما نقوم به أصبح أكثر أهمية من أي وقت مضى في عام 2020.

تحدي COVID

كان من الضروري أن نستجيب على الفور. كنا من بين أول من حفز جهود الإنعاش لعموم أفريقيا Covid-19 ، بتبرع بمبلغ 14 مليون دولار أمريكي من خلال مؤسسة البنك المتحد لأفريقيا ، للحكومات في جميع أنحاء أفريقيا. وتحتاج أفريقيا إلى حشد مواردها الخاصة بسرعة وضمان استمرارنا في حماية الناس والشركات وأرواحهم وسبل عيشهم.

كما لعبت TEFConnect ، أكبر مجتمع رقمي لرواد الأعمال الأفارقة ، عبر الحدود والثقافة واللغة والقطاعات ، دورا حاسما. المنصة

يساعد على ضمان القدرة التنافسية والنمو نطاق القطاع الخاص الأفريقي. لقد نشرنا بسرعة TEFConnect لتلبية احتياجات مجتمع ريادة الأعمال ، الذي يواجه تحديا كبيرا بسبب الوباء. في حين أن العالم أغلق ، فقد قدمنا دروسا رئيسية يقودها الخبراء لتشجيع النظام البيئي للشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة الأفريقية ، والتي تغطي مواضيع ثاقبة حول نمو الأعمال والابتكار التي ساهمت في كيفية تكييف الشركات مع الوضع الطبيعي الجديد.

قمنا برعاية تدريب عالمي المستوى ، مع مؤسسات مثل جامعة ييل ، وجلبنا مهارات إدارة المشاريع وآلية مواجهة الصحة العقلية إلى رواد الأعمال الأفارقة ، مع الاهتمام بعقلهم وروحهم ، حيث ساعدناهم على إعادة هيكلة أعمالهم من أجل الوضع الطبيعي الجديد. ساعد TEFConnect لضمان شبكة أقوى من رجال الأعمال الأفارقة. مبررنا بسيط: استخدام الموارد الطبيعية الأفريقية لقوة أفريقيا ، وإنشاء سلاسل القيمة الأفريقية وضمان خلق القيمة في أفريقيا. قمنا بتدريب وتجهيز الآلاف من رواد الأعمال من خلال TEFConnect طوال فترة الإغلاق وسنستمر في الوصول إلى المزيد.

لقد كان عاما من التحدي الاستثنائي ، الذي سيكون أثره الاقتصادي معنا لسنوات قادمة ، وكنا لا هوادة فيها في المضي قدما.

قوة الشراكة

مع شراكاتنا ، ونحن الاستفادة من منصة قوية وعملية ، وتوسيع نطاق انتشارنا. لقد أدى الوباء إلى تعطيل الأعمال التجارية وتتقلص الشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة ، وتحتاج الشركات إلى بذل المزيد من الجهد بموارد أقل وهناك تقلبات في إنفاق المستهلكين.

الآن أكثر من أي وقت مضى ، ندعوك للانضمام إلينا في هذه الرحلة ، للعمل جنبا إلى جنب لتوسيع نطاق برنامج ريادة الأعمال لدينا ، في جميع البلدان الأفريقية 54 ، لإعطاء المزيد من رجال الأعمال الشباب فرصة للنجاح ، شريان الحياة.

€02  مليون شراكة الاتحاد الأوروبي-المناصرة لرائدة الأعمال

لقد سررنا بالإعلان عن شراكتنا البالغة 20 مليون يورو مع المفوضية الأوروبية ومنظمة الدول الأفريقية ومنطقة البحر الكاريبي والمحيط الهادئ (OACPS) ، لدعم أكثر من 2500 سيدة أعمال ، وتوفير التدريب على ريادة الأعمال المراعية للاعتبارات الجنسانية ، بالإضافة إلى رأس المال الأولي للشركات النسائية الأفريقية للتنقل عبر مراحل البدء والنمو المبكر.

الإحصاءات عن ريادة الأعمال النسائية في أفريقيا هي تأديب – النساء يشكلن 58 ٪ من سكان القارة العاملين لحسابهم الخاص ولكن كسب 34 ٪ أقل من الأرباح في المتوسط ، مع فجوة تمويل تقدر بـ $20B للنساء الأفريقيات. وهدفنا هو أن يشارك عدد أكبر من النساء في التنمية الاقتصادية ، وأن يحققن كامل إمكاناتهن ، وأن يعجلن بالإدماج الاقتصادي. لفترة طويلة جدا ، عانت النساء الأفريقيات من عقبات نظامية أمام بدء أعمالهن التجارية وتنميتها واستدامتها. نحن نخفف من قيود التمويل والمعرفة والسوق التي تهدد سبل عيش هذه المقاولات في القارة ، ونعزز بيئة من شأنها خلق المزيد من الدخل والوظائف والنمو والحجم للشركات المملوكة للنساء.

TEF-UNDP Mali برنامج ريادة الأعمال

نحن نرى ريادة الأعمال كحل للتحديات الواضحة جدا التي نراها في أفريقيا: الهجرة القسرية والتطرف وعدم الاستقرار السياسي.

مع برنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي (UNDP) ، أطلقنا برنامج ريادة الأعمال  TEF-UNDP Mali لتدريب وتوجيه وتمويل 10,000 من رواد الأعمال الشباب في مالي ، على مدى فترة 3 سنوات. وقد تشرد أكثر من 1.7 مليون شخص بسبب العنف في مالي منذ عام 2012 ، وهو جزء من أزمة الساحل الأوسع. مع الاضطرابات السياسية في البلاد ، واضطرابات الشباب ، وانتشار العنف وانعدام الأمن ، يعالج برنامج TEF-UNDP Mali ريادة الأعمال العوامل الاقتصادية التي تديم الصراع والاضطرابات. يوضح برنامجنا لريادة الأعمال أن ريادة الأعمال هي الأداة الفريدة الأكثر فعالية لخلق فرص العمل والفرص والأمل الاقتصادي ، مع تعزيز النمو المستدام والحد من الفقر والسلام والاستقرار في نهاية المطاف. لقد قمنا بتسليم هذا البرنامج خلال فترة زمنية مدتها 8 أسابيع ، حيث قمنا بالتوجيه والتدريب وصرف التمويل إلى 1,860 من رواد الأعمال الشباب في مالي قبل 30 ديسمبر. 

برنامج توني إلوميلو ريادة الأعمال

الآن في عامنا 7 من تشغيل أكبر برنامج ريادة الأعمال في القارة ، نركز بشكل خاص على المساواة بين الجنسين كمسار حاسم لزيادة وتوسيع الآثار الإيجابية للعمل الذي نقوم به في المؤسسة.  معظم رجال الأعمال لدينا على دراية بهذا التركيز على الشمولية. يستهدف برنامج ريادة الأعمال لدينا جميع القطاعات ، وجميع مراحل الأعمال ، من مرحلة المفهوم مباشرة ، لسبب: يجب أن تكون التنمية المستدامة شاملة. إنها القناة الوحيدة للتغيير الحقيقي والملموس. عندما نفكر في التحول الاجتماعي والاقتصادي ، من نترك وراءنا وبأي ثمن؟ النساء ، اللواتي غالبا ما يحملن الدور المزدوج للعائل ومقدمي الرعاية ، من بين الأكثر تضررا من جائحة COVID-19. فالنساء يكسبن أقل ، ويدخرن أقل ، ويشغلن وظائف أقل أمنا ، ويزداد احتمال توظيفهن في الاقتصاد غير الرسمي ، مع انخفاض فرص حصولهن على الحماية الاجتماعية.

الاستماع

عندما نتحدث عن العمل الذي نقوم به ، نحتاج إلى التأكد من أننا نستمع أيضا.

في هذا الاستماع قمنا بتحسين محتوى التدريب على الأعمال لرواد الأعمال-إلى منهج للمبتدئين, رواد الأعمال المتوسطين والمتقدمين-حتى نتمكن من مساعدتهم بشكل مناسب في مسار المعرفة الخاص بهم. نحن نعلم أن تحقيق أهدافنا يتطلب مراجعات دورية في كيفية عملنا.

كما أننا نقيم البيانات التي جمعناها على مدى السنوات العشر الماضية ، ونحلل الدروس المستفادة من رواد الأعمال في رحلاتهم ، ونفهم بشكل أفضل تأثيرنا ونتائج تدخلاتنا في أفريقيا. وهذا العمل ضروري لكي نتمكن من التفكير في أفضل السبل لمواصلة تمكين الشركات الناشئة في أفريقيا وخدمتها ودعمها. 

نتطلع إلى الأمام

ونحن نعلم أن وجود قطاع خاص مستقر وقادر على المنافسة شرط أساسي لتحقيق الازدهار الاقتصادي وسيحل بعض أكثر احتياجاتنا إلحاحا كقارة. يجب علينا جميعا أن نعزز بشكل استباقي فلسفة Africapitalism التي تضع القطاع الخاص ، والأهم من ذلك رجال الأعمال ، كمحفز للتنمية الاجتماعية والاقتصادية للقارة الأفريقية. وأدافع عن جهود الدعوة هذه مع واضعي السياسات والحكومات ورؤساء الدول في كل فرصة تنشأ في الداخل الأفريقي وعلى الصعيد العالمي.

كان من خلال البقاء وفيا لفلسفتنا حول Africapitalism ودورنا كقادة القطاع الخاص الأفريقي ، أن أميننا في مؤسسة ومؤسس والرئيس التنفيذي لشركة Avon Medical ، الدكتور Awele Elumelu ، تم تعيينه في المجلس الاستشاري لمعهد ييل للصحة العالمية.

في الهاكاثون الأفريقي الأوروبي عبر الإنترنت مع رئيس إستونيا في ديسمبر الماضي ، (الاتحاد الأوروبي: أفريقيا رحلة ما بعد الأزمة) ، تحدثت عن الحاجة إلى بيئة تمكينية للشركات الناشئة الأفريقية ، وكيف لن تنجح الابتكارات والشركات خلاف ذلك. وما زلت مستوحاة من الإمكانيات التي يمكن زراعتها من أرض أفريقيا الخصبة الغنية ، حيث يلتقي الوصول والابتكار والتلميذ ويتداخلان. أشعر بسعادة غامرة تجاه رواد الأعمال لدينا ، الذين لديهم الآن القدرة على خلق المزيد من فرص العمل ، والذين يوسعون رسالة الجهد الجماعي ، التي تسمح لعدد متزايد من الناس بأن يكونوا أقل ارتباطا بالفقر.

على مدى السنوات العشر القادمة مع وصول المؤسسة إلى هدفها المتمثل في تمكين رواد أعمال 10.000 في وقت مبكر ، ينصب تركيزنا على تسريع الوصول والتأثير إلى آلاف آخرين. نحن نتحدث عن الحاجة إلى التحول ، نعم ، ولكن لا يوجد تحول حقيقي ممكن بدون كل واحد منا. سحر العمل الخيري هو أن الحياة المتغيرة تؤثر على العديد من الناس. السبب الرئيسي للدعوة هو تعزيز القيمة والتقدير الذاتي في هوياتنا كأفارقة. أننا يمكن أن تقدم حقا مجتمعاتنا الخاصة. نحن متواضعون بروح ريادة الأعمال في أفريقيا.

نيابة عن مجلس الأمناء والموظفين والأصدقاء ورجال الأعمال في مؤسسة توني إلوميلو ، أريد أن أحيي قدرتنا على الصمود والتعبير عن ثقتنا الكاملة في قدرتنا على القيام بصالح كبير وقابل للقياس ومستدام.

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At the event, she also discussed entrepreneurship with a focus on women and youth in Africa with CNN’s Eleni Giokos, among other global personalities in the social investing & enterprise development world, encouraging more young African women to apply to the Tony Elumelu Foundation with 5 days to go to the close of its Entrepreneurship Programme.

Read her keynote speech below:

•          Good afternoon Distinguished Guests, ladies and gentlemen, permit me to stand on all existing protocols.

•          It is an honor to be here at the Impact Africa Social Entrepreneurship Summit and I would like to thank the organizers Ashoka Africa and the British Council for creating this much needed platform for a most important discourse – Thank you also to our fabulous moderator – Eleni good to see you again albeit virtually.

•          How times have changed!!! From the good old days when we moved freely at our own whims and caprices from country to country, did we ever imagine a world where movement would be so restricted such that traveling for a holiday or going on a business trip could be considered illegal with a 5000 pound fine?

•          I don’t know about you but if someone told me 18 months ago that this would be the case I would throw my head back in peals of laughter and tell them that at best that’s a good script for a B rated movie.

•          Alas here we are in March 2021 and this is our reality – this is our world…this is your world

•          What does it mean to be a young African Entrepreneur in these times? What does it mean to be a female African entrepreneur in these times and What does it take to succeed in these times?

•          That is in essence why we are here today.

•          The primary objective of the Impact Africa Social Entrepreneurship Summit over the next 12 months is to accelerate innovative solutions to Africa’s most pressing challenges by inspiring, supporting and connecting you to an entire ecosystem that is fast emerging on the continent singularly committed and laser focused on your success.

•          Just over 5 years ago the Tony Elumelu Foundation in what was then unchartered territory put its money on African SMEs!!! Our Founder Mr. Tony Elumelu bet $100 million on 10,000 African SMEs and their ability to transform the continent.  

•          A recent world bank study states that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the economic backbone of virtually every economy in the world. SMEs represent more than 95% of registered firms worldwide, account for more than 50% of jobs, and contribute more than 35% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in many emerging markets.

•          Whatsmore Small businesses generate most of the new jobs, and help diversify a country’s economic base. They also promote innovation, help deliver goods and services, and can be a powerful force for integrating women and youth into the economic mainstream.

•          Yet despite all these benefits, WB studies show that small enterprises remain significantly underserved by financial institutions. Research indicates that the credit gap that formal SMEs confront is about $1 trillion.

•          So whilst our $100million investment is a mere 1% of whats actually needed, from a private individual it is a massive vote of confidence in the African SME and a bold step in putting the spot light on the missing middle which is the majority of existing African entrepreneurs – This missing middle is our only lifeline on the African continent – With the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entreprneurship Programme we demonstrate first hand the belief that empowering African entrepreneurs is the most important investment that we can impart on the continent.

•          With a burgeoning youth population which in the next 50 years will make up 39% of the worlds population, African Entrepreneurship empowerment is not just a regional issue but a global issue which should be a top priority line item on the global agenda of all governments and institutions.

•          This is particularly significant in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic where studies have shown that Africa is the epicenter of the economic devastation of the Pandemic. African countries with many having a mono-economy have seen a sharp devaluation of currencies, supply chain disruptions, food insecurity and growing inflation.

•          As an African entrepreneur especially as a woman you are likely saying to yourself –  why now, why my turn, why cant things just be normal again…(I know because I have teenagers who are faced with similar uncertainties with endless online schooling with no sports, no prom, no travel and in their minds seemingly no future)

•          I will tell you what I tell them – In challenging times such as these lies the greatest opportunities and the greatest possibilities for mind blowing success and all you have to do is to strive with all your strength to ensure that you have your mind in the right place.

•          Strive for a shift in your mindset and this will change your personal perception. Once you shift your mindset, you experience profound change and see the world in a completely different light. A fundamental mindset change allows you to be completely transformed. Out with the old, in with the new.

•          Only in this state will you be able to identify the gold mine of opportunities that these challenging times hold for those courageous enough to take it.

•          And there is none more courageous than the African female entrepreneur in these times – Africa’s female entrepreneurship rate is the highest in the world; 27% of the female adult population is engaged in early-stage entrepreneurial activity.  This means African women are twice as likely to start a business as women elsewhere in the world.

•          Studies show that Covid 19 has disproportionately affected female entrepreneurs  because the proverbial saying of wearing many hats has never been more true with the working from home realities. Meaning that a woman often times in the space of one working day is teacher, cleaner, cook (3 times a day no less) driver, nurse and ofcourse your full time job or business.

•          Now more than ever the Female Entrepreneur needs to reach deep with her and connect with her inner Amazon. It will take grit, resilience, determination, foresight and tenacity  –  the good news is that all these lie within reach on the inside not on the outside.

•          In truth there is no better time to be an African Entrepreneur the work we do at the Tony Elumelu Foundation is a testament to the fact that both public and private sector stakeholders alike are committed to creating the ennabling environment and offering the training and funding needed to accelerate the establishment and growth of thriving African businesses.

•          Opportunities abound for those entrepreneurs who have cleared the clutter and anxiety from their minds and have an Eagle Eye focused approach to their success.

•          At the Tony Elumelu Foundation our application portal TEFCOnnect.com opened on January 1st 2021 and will close on March 31st 2021. We have seen applications from across all 54 African countries not in the 10s of thousands but in the 100s of thousands

•          The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) which came into force also on Jan 1 2021 is another classic example, its a flagship project of Agenda 2063 of the African Union — Africa’s own development vision, it offers African SMEs a unique opportunity for boarderless trade – our governments must now put in place the policies and infrastructure framework needed to actualize this unique opportunity.

•          In keeping with the times at the Tony Eluemlu Foundation we too are shifting our mindset and changing the way we engage. Prior to Covid we would usually select 1000 from the applications received for training and funding. However in the bid to reach all genuine entrepreneurs who wish to seize the opportunities of the times we have introduced a psychometric assessment into our selection algorithym and  will now be training up to 50 times the numbers of previous years after which the top performers will go on to a Pan African virtual pitching competition from which will emerge the final recipients of the seed capital funding.

•          This expanded engagement will create visibility, capacity building and a platform for many who previously would only have ended their journey at the application stage.

•          There is no better time than now and it has to be all hands on deck,  the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has shown us how interdependent we are and how fragile our current global systems and value chain remain. We need to work together to build resilient systems through a mutually beneficial partnership of equals.

•          In closing, Africa is full of many opportunities and breathtaking potential; Yes, challenges do exist, but we also have a high ROI cutting across all industries and regions, which means that investments in African SMEs is not only a moral obligation but a savvy investment decision,

•          Our greatest asset, our greatest wealth is our people. If we put the people first the wealth will follow…let us cultivate creativity, passion, resilience, enterprise, excellence, execution as a people and as a continent. Let us usher in a new golden age of Africa’s rising SMEs in whose hands the future of the worlds global economy lies. 

About this event:
The Impact Africa Social Entrepreneurship Summit is a partnership between the British Council and Ashoka Africa to accelerate innovative solutions to Africa’s most pressing challenges. 

The post TEF CEO Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu Delivers Keynote at the Impact Africa Social Entrepreneurship Summit appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Lagos, March 2021 – The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Africa’s leading philanthropy committed to empowering African entrepreneurs, has released its 2020 Annual Letter titled “THE POWER OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMIDST UNCERTAINTY”.

The report, which was delivered in the form of a personal letter from TEF Founder, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu CON, reiterates that equipping young people with the tools and the opportunities to succeed through entrepreneurship, is the only sustainable, dignified way to create a path to prosperity for all.

Launched across TEF’s digital platforms, the Annual Letter showcases remarkable achievements that include supporting a growing and dynamic entrepreneur ecosystem of 1 million Africans, expanding strategic partnerships to scale the existing TEF Entrepreneurship Programme to reach more small businesses across all 54 African countries, and other milestones by the Foundation to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and provide support for young entrepreneurs.

The 2020 Annual Letter begins with reflections from the Founder dating from the inception of the Foundation and its raison d’être, to the global pandemic, “In 2020, the world stopped, but we did not. When we launched the Tony Elumelu Foundation in 2010, we did something new in Africa – we “democratised” luck. In my own entrepreneurial journey, I knew luck had played an important role, and I was determined that others, many others, would get those same chances. We created an institution with a single focus: young African entrepreneurs.”

Through its digital hub, TEF Connect, the Tony Elumelu Foundation successfully supported millions of Africans, addressing the unique needs of an entrepreneurial community that continues to be challenged by the pandemic. “We curated world-class training, offered expert-led masterclasses with institutions such as Yale University, and brought project management skills and mental health coping mechanism to African entrepreneurs, taking care of their mind and spirit, as we assisted them to restructure their business for the new normal.”

The Letter further narrates 2020 highlights including TEF’s €20 million partnership with the European Union and the Organisation of African and Caribbean States (OACPS) to support more than 2,500 women entrepreneurs: “The statistics on female entrepreneurship in Africa are chastening – women make up 58% of the continent’s self-employed population but earn 34% less profits on average. Our goal is for more women to participate in economic development, realise their full potential and accelerate economic inclusion.”

Other notable accomplishments include the TEF-UNDP Mali Entrepreneurship Programme rolled out in the middle of conflict, political instability and insecurity in the Sahel country: “Over 1.7 million people have been displaced by violence in Mali since 2012. Our Entrepreneurship Programme demonstrates that entrepreneurship is the singular most effective tool to creating jobs, opportunity, economic hope, stability, peace, sustained growth and poverty reduction.”

Now in its 7^th year, the US$100 million TEF Entrepreneurship Programme has empowered over 9,000 young African entrepreneurs from 54 African countries with world-class business training, mentorship, non-refundable seed capital of $5,000 and global networking and market opportunities.  

In 2021, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, will identify, train, mentor and fund over 3,500 entrepreneurs across Africa.  The Programme remains open to all entrepreneurs across the African continent, both new start-ups and existing businesses operating in any sector.

Applications end March 31. All aspiring beneficiaries are encouraged to immediately apply on www.tefconnect.com.

To read the full TEF 2020 Annual Letter click here.

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Themed Women’s Economic Empowerment in Africa: working towards gender equality in times of COVID-19, Ifeyinwa was joined by Christoph Rauh, Africa Director, Federal German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ); Regina Honu, Founder and CEO of Soronko Solutions and Soronko Academy; Charlotte Isaksson, Senior Gender Advisor, European Union External Action Service (EEAS).

During the panel session, Ifeyinwa shared some impactful words, some of which are:

• When we started the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015, prioritising and achieving gender inclusivity was a part of our mission and what we set out to do. From the very beginning, we worked hard to get the information out there to women that this opportunity existed, understanding that in Africa, when compared to other continents, there are unique traditional and cultural barriers preventing women from fully engaging in entrepreneurship.

• We all know that when you empower a woman, you empower a nation. We all know that the African woman is a major pillar in achieving the economic development of Africa.

• From 2015 – 2020, we have empowered a total of 3000 women. This year, working with our partners at the European Union, we are going to train, fund, and mentor at least 3000 women for 2021 alone.

• To complement and support the work all of us in the private sector are doing, we need to work hand-in-hand with the governments and the public sector to ensure that the enabling environment and the policies are in place to empower all entrepreneurs—SMEs need to have access to capital, policy stability, low taxes etc.

• At the Tony Elumelu Foundation, our tried and tested model of entrepreneurship development targets entrepreneurs at the bottom of the pyramid – those with only ideas, or very young businesses that are unable to get funding from banks or venture capitalists. A lot of these are women.

• Unfortunately, in Africa, there aren’t many friends and family that you can borrow that initial $5000 to start your business with. This is why we focus on the bottom of the pyramid where we de-risk the entrepreneurs and kickstart their businesses to fully launch their entrepreneurial careers.

• Providing finance to women entrepreneurs across Africa has got to be the one way to ensure the acceleration of economic development through gender inclusivity.

• Getting the entrepreneurs access to finance, trusting them with these funds in their own hands, empowering them with the mentorship and training to make high-quality business decisions is something that at TEF, we encourage other ecosystem stakeholders to begin to do.

• It’s no longer about aid; it’s about a hand up and not a handout. It’s about empowering women – and all entrepreneurs – to be self-sufficient, to create an ecosystem in their own communities where they embrace a job-creating mentality and not a job-seeking one.

• The work that we do at the Foundation is a multipronged approach to solving most of these problems we see. If we can tackle the problem of economic empowerment in a sustainable, gender-inclusive format, it’ll have a positive trickle-down effect on many other things.

The post Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu Discusses Empowering Female African Entrepreneurs with GIZ appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

“I think it’s because people realise that it is up to them,” said Ifeyinwa. “One thing the pandemic did in Nigeria and a large part of Africa is that once the lockdown happened last year, we realised just how unprepared we are to cater to our own needs because we are so dependent on imports and so, of course, people realised that the problems you have in your community and country are businesses waiting to be made by entrepreneurs.”

She also highlighted the work of the Tony Elumelu Foundation in empowering entrepreneurs at the bottom of the entrepreneurship pyramid and the need to focus, to enable more African entrepreneurs come through.

“At the Tony Elumelu Foundation we have always preached that young people should focus on having a job-creating mentality as opposed to a job-seeking mentality. Young people should create jobs not just for themselves but for the people around them and that’s the only way Africa can move forward in terms of reaching the SDGs.

We are helping everyone who has a business idea that makes it through our programme to prove their concept, get their foot through the door and start their entrepreneurial journey.”

Ifeyinwa didn’t leave the show without a word of advice for entrepreneurs. In her words, “I believe there is no such thing as failure if you never stop trying. Never ever stop trying.”

The Tony Elumelu Foundation is currently accepting applications to the 2021 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme. All young African men and women with brilliant business ideas or start-ups are invited to apply on tefconnect.com

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