Tony Elumelu Foundation hosts interactive session with Macron, 2,000 young African entrepreneurs

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, prioritising 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 nearly 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 welcoming” 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.

About The Tony Elumelu Foundation

Established in 2010, The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is the leading philanthropy in Africa championing entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs across the continent.

The Foundation’s long-term investment in empowering African entrepreneurs is emblematic of Tony Elumelu’s philosophy of Africapitalism, which positions Africa’s private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the continent.

The Foundation’s flagship initiative, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, is a 10-year, $100 million commitment to identify, train mentor and fund 10,000 entrepreneurs, capable of changing the face of business across Africa.



President Macron at TEF Interactive Session 1: The President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron and the Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman, UBA Group, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu at the interactive session hosted by the Tony Elumelu Foundation in Lagos on Wednesday.



President Macron at TEF Interactive Session 2: The President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron discussing with the Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman, UBA Group, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu during an interactive session hosted by the Tony Elumelu Foundation for President Macron and young African entrepreneurs in Lagos on Wednesday.

President Macron at TEF Interactive Session 3: The President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron and the Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman, UBA Group, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu addressing young African Entrepreneurs at the interactive session hosted by the Tony Elumelu Foundation for President Macron and young African entrepreneurs in Lagos on Wednesday.



President Macron at TEF Interactive Session 4: The President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron and Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman of UBA Group, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu listening to an entrepreneur at the interactive session with President Macron and young African entrepreneurs hosted by the hvvvvvvTony Elumelu Foundation, in Lagos on Wednesday.