NEWS
Macron In Interactive Session With 2000 Young African Entrepreneurs, Tony Elumelu Foundation
French President Emmanuel Macron offered a bold and new vision of France’s relationship with Africa, speaking at an exclusive session hosted by the Tony Elumelu Foundation in Lagos today.
He passionately advocated a new partnership, prioritizing the role of entrepreneurship in driving Africa’s renaissance, highlighting the importance of the private sector and most importantly saying Africa’s future was and should be in Africa’s hands.
Macron spoke at a vibrant, no-holds barred interactive session, in front of 2,000 alumni of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, who sought advice from the youthful President on how to grow their businesses, reach European markets amidst rising nationalism and emerging trade wars and the secrets of his political success.
Macron’s experience as an outsider, who transformed French politics and spoke directly to and not at the audience, electrified the room.
“To young African entrepreneurs: never listen to people who are telling you to wait,” Macron said. “If you believe in your projects: just do it. Our role is to help the new generation to seize opportunities and rise to the challenge. This is what underpins a new, balanced relationship.”
TEF Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony O. Elumelu, CON moderated the event and opened by acknowledging the importance of the occasion for African entrepreneurship.
“The French President recognises the critical importance of African entrepreneurs to sustainable economic development on the continent – he knows the African narrative is changing and will change. His voice is refreshing and welcome” he said. “We want France and the rest of the world to realise that Africa is a continent of opportunities.”
The two leaders stood side-by-side, surrounded by emerging and established business women and men from across Africa, during an exciting and at times charged session. Concluding the event, TEF signed an agreement with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French development bank.
The agreement established a research partnership to examine the entrepreneurship ecosystem in West Africa, with a special focus on francophone countries, a risk-sharing guarantee framework and access to high-level mentors for TEF entrepreneurs.
NARD Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Bill Seeking Six-Month Jail Term for Doctors
2027: Okowa Appoints Ifeajika, Chiazor To Lead Media Team For Delta North Senate Race
Troops Arrest Notorious Terrorism Suspect in Kaduna, Target Dogo Gide’s Hideout
Two IDPs Hospitalised as Snakebites Surge Across Benue as SEMA Raises Alarm
NDLEA Raises Alarm Over Foreign Drug Cartels, Arrests 3 South Africans
No Ceasefire With Boko Haram, DHQ Declares, Says 435 Terrorists Killed
Africa Made It Launches ‘Power, Protect And Purchase’ To Unlock $34bn From Cotton Industry
Court Rejects Torture Claims, Admits Statements of Alleged Coup Plotters
Tinubu Storms Akwa Ibom Friday For Project Commissioning, Heads To Rivers Saturday For APC Rally
Reps Dismiss Petition Seeking Review of NIPCO Gas Distribution Licences
2027: Okowa Says Delta Targets Over 2 Million Votes For Tinubu, APC
Oborevwori, Okowa, Onowakpo Canvass Support for Tinubu as Delta APC Flags Off 2027 Campaign in Oleh
Keyamo Hails Court Ruling Sacking Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Invalidating Atiku’s Candidacy
BREAKING: Court Sacks Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Nullifies Atiku’s 2027 Presidential Ticket
BREAKING: NJC Suspends 3 Judges For One Year Without Pay Over Misconduct
