By John Ikani
Africa is a continent brimming with untapped potential. It’s a land rich in human capital, natural resources, and a burgeoning youthful population eager to innovate and create.
Yet, despite these assets, the continent grapples with challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance, and a stifling bureaucratic environment. These hurdles have hindered the growth of countless promising ventures, stifling economic growth and job creation.
It is now more than ever imperative to foster an ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurship, providing the necessary support and resources for businesses to thrive.
This is why plans are being perfected for the biggest entrepreneurship event in the world – The Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF) to be held in Africa.
The three-day event, slated to run from the 22nd to 24th of November 2024, will be hosted by the Entrepreneurship Village also called Africa’s Silicon Valley in Akure, the capital city of Nigeria’s South-Western Ondo State.
It is an initiative of Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs Organization, which is Africa’s foremost entrepreneurship organization.
With 12 events including conference, trade fair, exhibition and Tech expo to be held concurrently, the event will see aspiring business minds, seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and innovators from around the world converge to discuss and promote entrepreneurial activities.
Other events lined up for the GEF include Bootcamp, Business Pitch, Hackathon, Fashion Show, Leadership Forum, Women’s Congress and Concert.
It ultimately promises a vibrant showcase of diverse entrepreneurial journeys, thought-provoking discussions and invaluable networking opportunities with a view to driving global entrepreneurship forward.
The business-oriented festival will have the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the group managing director of The Rose of Sharon Group Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija as Special Guests of Honour.
Some of the proposed speakers at the event are former President of the United States of America, Barrack Obama; former First Lady of the United Kingdom, Cherie Blair; President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina; Director General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Chairperson of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda Gates.
On the list of confirmed speakers are founder and CEO of Crown Sterling Limited, Sir Robert Grant; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso; businessman and philanthropist, Femi Otedola; CEO of Vital Signs Damman, Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Tarjim as well as former chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi.
Also on the list are the first female Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria, Ibukun Awosika; Founder of Reebok, Joseph William Foster; Kenyan Senator, Hezena Lemaletian; Nitda CEO, Kashifu Abdullah, among others.
What’s more, Nigeria’s esteemed actor, model and TV personality, Nancy Isime, will be teaming up with America’s renowned social entrepreneur, TV host and the Editor-in-Chief of Monaco Voice Magazine, Sir Dustin Plantholt to anchor the event.
More About the GEF
The Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF) is an integral component of the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).
Founded in 2008 by the Global Entrepreneurship Network, the GEW is an annual worldwide event designed to ignite a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship every month of November.
It also celebrates and empowers entrepreneurs in every country and community around the world, particularly individuals who face structural barriers or may have never considered the idea of launching a startup.
For registration and inquiries about the GEF please visit the event’s website.
