Tony Elumelu proposes a new model for development in Africa led by entrepreuners
May 21 , 2015 Nigerian philanthropist and entrepreneur Tony Elumelu, has proposed a new entrepreneur-led development model for Africa.
He made this suggestion at two high profile events in Washington DC. The Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation spoke at a White House event on the eleventh of May which was a prelude to Obama’s Kenyan trip for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.
The event was hosted by President Barack Obama to celebrate emerging entrepreneurs around the globe. During his address, Mr. Elumelu spoke for the African entrepreneurs, calling them the primary drivers of Africa’s transformation.
He advised the attendees, saying “Entrepreneurship is a long term journey. Great entrepreneurs are not made overnight. Dare to dream, implement your dream, and stay focused.”
Mr Elumelu was in the company of other successful entrepreneurs who were present, like Mark Cuban, Owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Barbara Corcoran; Founder of Barbara Corcoran Venture Partners; Daymond John, CEO and founder of FUBU, Julie Hanna, Founder of Kiva, and more.
Mr. Elumelu took along with him to the White House, Shadi Sabeh, a young Nigerian entrepreneur from Sokoto State who is his mentee and a past winner of the Tony and Awele Elumelu Prize for Economics from Usman Dan Fodiyo University.
Happy about these events, Mr Elumelu is quoted as saying “I was honored to speak at these high profile events in the US. As a successful entrepreneur, I will continue to communicate to the world the need for supporting and empowering African entrepreneurs as the most impactful and sustainable approach to Africa’s development. My mission is to share this message on a global scale, and inspire more African business leaders and global investors with an interest in Africa to take action.”
It is recalled that the Tony Elumelu foundation recently launched the $100 million Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, to assist in growing 10,000 start-up companies across the African continent over the next 10 years.