Economy
Applications Open For Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Scheme
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has entered its third round and applications for the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme are now being accepted, Business Post has learnt.
The programme is the foundation’s 10-year, $100 million commitment to training, mentoring and funding 10,000 African entrepreneurs.
According to information gathered by our correspondent, the application portal would remain open until midnight of March 1, 2017.
Entrepreneurs must complete the online application and selection is on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged, the foundation said.
According to its founder, Mr Tony Elumelu, “I believe the seeds we are planting through the programme will transform Africa.
“Two years on, it is clear that we have found a key to unlocking Africa’s potential for economic transformation.
“As our entrepreneurs grow their own businesses and realise their ambitions, so too does the vision. We are showing what the African private sector can achieve; how hard work and enterprise can catalyse real, sustainable development.”
The programme is designed to identify entrepreneurs that have the potential to grow their businesses and collectively generate 1,000,000 new jobs that can contribute at least $10 billion in additional revenues to the African economy.
According to TEF CEO, Parminder Vir, “This programme continues to surpass our expectations and its success is palpable.
“Your entrepreneurial journey begins when you make the decision to complete the application. We are seeking real entrepreneurs, people who can take risk and reap rewards, not just for themselves, but their communities and countries.”
The success of 2015 Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs reflects the impact of the Programme, including:
- Momar Mass-Taal (Agriculture, Gambia) turned his $5,000 seed capital into $1.2 million in revenue
- Bukhary Kibonajoro (Education & Training, Tanzania) used the mentorship and training to launch his business, create 34 new jobs and provide growth services for more than 100 local business in 12 months.
- Chioma Okonu (Waste Management, Nigeria) has created ancillary revenue streams for more than 6,000 households, created 40 jobs and generates over $50,000 in profit.
To be eligible to apply:
- Businesses must be based in Africa
- Businesses must be for profit
- Applicants must be 18 years of age and above
- Applicants must be a legal resident or citizen of African countries
1,000 entrepreneurs will be selected based on the feasibility of the business idea; market opportunity; financial understanding; scalability; leadership and entrepreneurial skills demonstrated in the application.
For more information or to apply, visit: http://tonyelumelufoundation.org/teep/faqs/
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disbursed N12.65 billion to the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), its flagship agriculture intervention scheme, in the first two months of 2023.
The Governor of the apex bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele, said this on Tuesday in Abuja when he read the communique issued at the end of the 290th meeting of the apex bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
According to Mr Emefiele, the total disbursement under the ABP since its inception by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2015 is N1.09 trillion.
“Between January and February 2023, the bank disbursed N12.65 billion to three agricultural projects under the ABP,” he said.
“It brings the cumulative disbursement under the programme to N1.09 trillion to more than 4.6 million smallholder farmers cultivating or rearing 21 agricultural commodities on an approved 6.02 million hectares of farmland,” Mr Emefiele added.
According to Mr Emefiele, the improved performance of the economy has been driven largely by sustained growth in the services and agricultural sectors.
He also cited a rebound in economic activities associated with economic recovery and continued intervention in growth-enhancing sectors by the CBN as responsible for the growth.
He said that the CBN had also disbursed huge sums as an intervention to various other sectors of the economy.
“The CBN also released the sum of N23.70 billion under the N1.0 trillion Real Sector Facility to eight new real sector projects in agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
“Cumulative disbursements under the Real Sector Facility currently stands at N2.43 trillion disbursed to 462 projects across the country, comprising 257 manufacturing, 95 agriculture, 97 services, and 13 mining sector projects,” he said.
He said that the apex bank also released N3.01 billion under the Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility (NEMSF-2) for capital and operational expenditure of electricity distribution companies (Discos).
He said that the facility was aimed at improving the liquidity status of the Discos, there aiding their recovery of legacy debt.
“This brings the cumulative disbursement under the facility to N254.39 billion,” he said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Baron and Cabot, a UK-based international real estate firm, has launched a portal that will use artificial intelligence technology to predict property prices in Africa to allow real estate agents to sell properties and earn in pounds, providing an unprecedented opportunity for growth and financial success.
The novel approach will allow real estate firms to de-risk their investments in international markets and gain access to a wide range of fully compliant properties.
Baron & Cabot has been particularly successful in Africa due to inflation driving clients to move their money into GBP and Dollar to purchase assets. It is one of the top fastest-growing property companies in the world and transacts around £100 million per annum ($120 million) of UK property while having access to some of the best property developments in the UK.
Speaking on this, Mr Mark Pearson, Managing Director of Baron & Cabot, said, “We are thrilled to be launching this innovative concept that will not only provide a platform for real estate agents in Africa to sell UK properties but will also create job opportunities and drive economic growth.
“We believe that by leveraging AI technology to predict property prices, we can provide our partners with a unique advantage and help them to achieve financial success. Our joint venture expansion plans are aimed at creating mutually beneficial partnerships that will bring value to all parties involved.”
In addition to providing agents with access to new revenue streams, Baron and Cabot’s property portal is also expected to create new job opportunities in the African market.
The company also revealed that it would provide its agents with comprehensive 2 to 4-week training and support to help them succeed in their new roles. This training will ensure that agents are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the real estate market and take advantage of the opportunities that Baron and Cabot’s concept provides.
As part of its offering, Baron and Cabot will provide clients with mortgages anywhere in the world (excluding war zones), with mortgage rates lower than 6 per cent and deposits below 35 per cent, making it easier for clients to invest in UK properties.
“Our management company boasts an impressive occupancy rate of over 99 per cent, with properties awaiting new tenants for an average of only 10 days. This sets us apart from other cities around the world, where the average occupancy rate is only 70 per cent.
“In addition, our Airbnb or short-term rental products have an average occupancy rate of over 70 per cent, resulting in substantial rental returns and secure investment. Our secret to success lies in our ability to identify high-demand areas with low supply, combined with exceptional management that keeps both our tenants and landlords satisfied,” Mr Pearson added.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Divisional Head of Capital Markets at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, Mr Jude Chiemeka, has said the earth’s sustainability has a close link to individual financial health.
He gave this submission on Tuesday in Lagos at an event to raise awareness on the importance of ensuring that young people, from an early age, are financially aware and are gradually acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately achieve financial well-being and financial resilience.
The stock exchange partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and others to celebrate the 2023 edition of Global Money Week (GMW).
The programme was used to educate over 100 students on the theme, Plan your money, plant your future, to further enhance investor education and financial literacy.
In his opening remarks, Mr Chiemeka emphasised the need to guide children in their formative years so as to be responsible citizens in the future, noting that the choices they make today will have a significant impact on their future.
“We must also recognize that our individual financial health is closely linked to the health of the planet and of society as a whole.
“The choices we make about how we earn, spend, save, and invest our money can either contribute to or undermine the sustainability of our world.
“As such, it’s essential that we all adopt a responsible and informed approach to financial decision-making that considers the impact of our choices on our environment and society,” he said.
Speaking on other NGX-led financial literacy initiatives, Mr Chiemeka noted that beyond offering a range of educational resources, the bourse has a comic book series named NGX StockTown with the goal of using illustrations to raise the next generation leaders who are financially aware, responsible and skilled economic citizens.
The celebration, which culminated in a closing gong ceremony, had the overall winners at the quiz session held at the exchange close the market by sounding the gong. They were also gifted shares, with the first prize winner receiving N80,000 worth of shares while the first and second runner-ups won N70,000 and N50,000 worth of shares, respectively.
The Principal Manager for the Market Development Department at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr John Achile, and the Principal Manager for the Head of Advocacy Office, Consumer Education and Evaluation Division of Consumer Protection at the CBN, Mr Abubakar Albasu, highlighted the importance of market regulation and investors protection.
Also, Mr Abimbola Babalola, Head of Market Surveillance and Investigation at NGX RegCo, delivered a presentation on the rudiments of money and the technicalities of the capital market.
Mr Abdulkareem Kelani, Sales Trader, Meristem Stockbrokers and Mr Mohammed Jamie, Head, Securities Dealing, APT Securities, also contributed to improving the students’ knowledge capacity about the stock market. Other partners at this event were MinieMoney, AIESEC Lagos and Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN).
