Somachi Chris-Asoluka (CEO, The Tony Elumelu Foundation) Applications are now open for the 2024 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, targetted at African Entrepreneurs. TEF – Africa’s leading philanthropy focused onempowering African entrepreneurs – is looking for the most innoverhine business ideas across the African continent. The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is open to entrepreneurs across Africa, either with new startup ideas or existing businesses that have been in operation for less than three years, operating in any sector. Successful applicants will join the over 9,000 current beneficiaries from 54 African countries, and receive business training, mentoring, a non-refundable $5,000 of seed…
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The Zayed Sustainability Prize – the UAE’s pioneering global sustainability and humanitarian award – has officially announced that the 2025 cycle is now open for submissions. Submissions will be accepted until June 23, 2024 through the Prize’s online portal. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organisations (NPOs) and high schools with sustainable solutions are invited to submit an entry for consideration in one of the six categories of Heath, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools. Noteworthy, the Prize has increased its funds from US $3.6 million to US $5.9 million. The Prize will reward US $1 million…
Joy Patrick-Ezeike (Founder, Omas Studios); May Yul-Edochie (entrepreneur, influencer) On December 17, 2023, entrepreneur and film producer, Joy Patrick Ezeike launched the newest service centre for Omas Studios, a multimedia (photography. film, broadcast) business that she founded 13 years ago. The company also unveiled May Yul-Edochie (entrepreneur and social media influencer) as its first-ever brand ambassador. Located in the Chevron-Lekki area of Lagos State (Nigeria), the new Omas Studios has re-iterated its intention to serve premium pictures and videography. Says Joy Patrick-Ezeike (Founder & CEO): “Together, we shall do our very best to help you create unforgettable moments through the…
The ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator has just announced the 12 startups selected into its 2023 cohort (the second in its series), with each business receiving up to $120,000 in equity funding as well as tailored mentorship, company-building support, access to a network of experts and investors, and various other non-cash benefits. Bird’s-eye view – The new Techstars-ARM Labs Lagos 2023 cohort The Techstars 23′ Founder-CEO line-up includes: • Olufemi Idowu (24seven co.)• Subuola Oyeleye (Beauty Hut Africa)• Ibukun Tunde-Oni (Eight Medical)• Jude Dike (GetEquity)• Tunde Ademuyiwa (Jump n Pass)• Harold Kwame Awuah-Darko (One Plan)• Ayodeji Alaran (PBR Life Sciences)• Mayowa Okegbenle (PressOne.Africa)• Abraham Mohammed (Rana Energy)• Kumar Shourav (Surge Africa)• Kwaku Tabiri (Swoove360)• Olufemi Olanipekun (VeendHQ) Oyin Solebo (Managing Director, ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator)…
Winners of the 2023 Zenith Bank Tech Fair Zecathon have just been announced, and presented with their prizes, as follows: Grand Prize Winner: Sync (Spurt!) – N20m (Twenty million Naira) – plus an opportunity to pitch investors and access the Seedstars Mentorship Hub.Ist Runner up : Suwk – N15m (Fifteen million Naira) – inclusive of a scholarship into the Seedstars mentorship hub.2nd Runner up : Tribapay – N10m (Ten million Naira) – complemented by a scholarship into the Seedstars mentorship hub. Winnings were presented by forefront Zenith Bank Plc representatives Ebenezer Onyeagwu (GMD/ CEO); and Executive Directors – Akin Ogunranti,…
A total of eight dynamic African young women-led businesses emerged as winners of the 2023 YouthAdapt challenge. Each business will receive grant funding of up to $100,000, as well as comprehensive mentorship and coaching as part of a 12-month accelerator program. The winning ventures focus on sectors affected by climate change: agriculture, energy efficiency, disaster risk management, water resources, and biodiversity conservation: Deborah Nzarubara (ETS Grencom), Democratic Republic of Congo: Leveraging big data, ETS Grencom provides real-time weather data, bolstering agricultural productivity and supporting pollinating bees for sustainable farming practices. Mirriam Chapi (Chapi Core Tech), Zambia: Through the EaseOn Track…
Jonathan Oppenheimer (South African billionaire businessman and conservationist) Jonathan Oppenheimer, son of South African billionaire Nicky Oppenheimer, has acquired full control of Nigeria’s biggest beverage can-maker, GZI, a supplier of cans to companies including Coca-Cola Co. GZI has about two-thirds market share of Nigerian drinks cans Oppenheimer Partners Ltd. bought the shares in GZ Industries Ltd. from Private Equity firm Affirma Capital (formerly known as Standard Chartered Private Equity), for a 37.5% stake, according to a recent statement from Affirma. The private equity firm had held a 37.5% stake in GZI, which it sold to Oppenheimer. GZI, engaged in competition with Nigeria’s loss-making Nampak…
(L-R): Dr. Elizabeth Shaw 9Founder, 1000 Black Voices); Winner of the Inclusive Journalist award, Cheryl Cole Recently, Dr. Elizabeth Shaw (founder, 1000 Black Voices – specialists in diversity, equity & inclusion, and connecting founders to resources) led her team in hosting 1000 Black Voices Connect, an evening that brought together founders, investors and ecosystem partners in the UK for a relaxed atmosphere of roundtables, awards, a pitch competition, and an opportunity to get to know one another. Winner of the 1000 Black Voices pitch competition and the Tech Startup to Watch: Pigee Inc The Roundtables had valuable conversations around a…
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana Ghanaian President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Monday, November 13, 2023, joined Jules Armand Aniambossou (the French Ambassador to Ghana) in launching Creation Africa Ghana, an initiative by the French government to support entrepreneurs in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) in creating wealth and growing the economy. Creation Africa is part of a broader project initiated by the government of France to benefit 15 African countries including Ghana, South Africa, Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Chad, and Togo. At the launch, President…
(R): Abiola Bawuah (Executive Director/ CEO, UBA Africa) 📸UBA Group United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s global bank, has been named ‘African Champion of the Year 2023’ at the just concluded Africa Financial Industry Summit (AFIS), an annual event that acknowledges outstanding achievements in the financial sector. Held in Lomé (Togo), UBA was recognised by AFIS for its exceptional contribution and significant impact in shaping the financial landscape across Africa, especially in terms of innovation. Abiola Bawuah (Executive Director/ Chief Executive Officer, UBA Africa) received the award on behalf of the bank, saying: “We are honoured to be recognised as…