Speaking on the success of the programme, Elumelu who is the current Chairman of United Bank of Africa, UBA wrote, “Since the launch of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme in January, I have made it a point of duty to meet with the entrepreneurs everywhere I have travelled in Africa and abroad. My recent trips to Kenya and Uganda were no exception. When the Kenyan entrepreneurs heard about an initial cancellation of the meet up due to my hectic GES schedule, they launched a full-throttle social media campaign which eventually made me reorder my program to meet with them even though they had just returned from boot camp in Lagos! I’m so glad they did. I was so impressed by this group of young African men and women entrepreneurs. They have already set about creating a framework for themselves to attract angel investments that we will use as the model for other country TEEP chapters. That’s the type of entrepreneurial action I like to see!
The Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs in Uganda were no less impressive. They are in fact some of the most conscientious, intelligent and innovative entrepreneurs I have met so far. I spent a lot of time just listening to their amazing ideas and I wish I had more than the two hours allotted to listen to them. From a virtual bank that allows customers access to funds anywhere in the world, to a poultry farming business where the TEEP seed capital is projected to be increased ten-fold in four months and a technologically advanced soybean processing plant. I was totally impressed by the out-of-the-box thinking and unshakable confidence of these upcoming African entrepreneurs. There was even an Elumelu iPhone App developed by one of the entrepreneurs! I have no doubt they are on their way towards immense success.
For all of us who are part of this global entrepreneurship commitment, there is a collective sentiment that there is no better time for Africa. It is the Shadis, Tonees and Jean Patricks, as well as the bold Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs of Kenya, Uganda and beyond that will determine the future of our continent. Like Obama rightly said in his keynote, Africa is on the move! And the pace of growth will be more rapid than we can imagine”.