TEF:Paul Kagame, And Two Other African Leaders To Speak At Forum

By  Nwangwu Uba

 Paul Kagame,  Macky Sall and Felix Tshisekedi, Presidents of Rwanda, Senegal and Democratic Republic of Congo , appear to have established themselves as  great motivational  speakers that they are been invited to speak at differentforums in different parts of the world. Only recently, Kagame was a guest of the Ecconomic and Financial Crimes Commision, EFCC, a government anti-Corruption agency , Headed by Ibrahim Magu, a Commissioner of police.

Kagame  may not know whose ox is gored  as  he had  told President Muhammadu Buhari and other African leaders to focus their efforts  and passion on creating ”value, wealth and stop fighting Corruption which might not be eradicated in the next one decade”. The Rwandan President who see Buhari as the champion of  African Union, AU, anti-Corruption opined that   Corruption  must be fought from ”top to bottom” using four  principles: culture, responsibility, accountability  and effectiveness.

It is  not surprising  why the organisers of the 5th Entrepreneurship  Forum, of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, TEF, saw it as an opportunity to  have him as one key speakers alongside forty other spaekers.The Forum , according to sources is expected to attract the gathering of over 5000 African Entrepreneurs that had benefited from the $100 million set aside by the Foundation for starts up Entrepreneurs in the next ten years.  The Foundation Objectives best fits into the economic ideology of Kagame, the Rwanda President, who was said to have transformed his  country  after emerging from a 4-year old  civil war between the country’s two major tribes: Tutsi and Hutu.

Kagame, President Of Rwanda

Note that Kagame, the Rwandan President and his counterparts in Senegal and Republic of Congo , may have agreed  to participate in the TEF Forum, regarded as  the largest gathering  of African  Entrepreneurs and the African Entrepreneurship ecosystem, to rub mind  with Elumelu, founder of TEF and Chairman, United Bank For Africa, UBA, and see how they can attract investments to their respective  countries  in order to create jobs that would  reduce unemployment and create  wealth.

A Statement by  the External Relations of the Bank Headed by Ramon Olrewaju Nasir, said  the Forum  will feature  plenary sessions, master classes, a pitching competition, networking opportunities, UBA Market place and the Presidential dialogue. The Three African Presidents are expected to feature prominently in the Presidential dialogue to showcase how they were able to  reposition their  countries on the part of economic growth, particular Kagame and Tisshekedi , of Rwanda and DRC, who had gone through years of political instability and eventual civil war in an interactive session.

Other notable motivational  speakers expected at the TEF  forum  include  Benedict Oramah, a Professor and President of African Export Bank, AFFREXIM BANK, Akinwumi, a former minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, during former  President Goodluck Jonathan administration and now President, African Development Bank, ADB,  Awele Elumelu, a member of TEF, Board of Trustees and founder Aon Medical, Kennedy Uzoka, Group  Chief Executive officer, CEO, UBA PLC,  Kaba Conde, who incidentally is the wife of Alpha Conde, the President of Guinea and the country’s first lady.

Many believe the yearly TEF gathering of African Entrepreneurs  has helped  policy makers and business Executives in their various locations. This year’s Forum appears unique because of the participation of three African notable Presidents  and the theme which is centered  on empowering African Entrepreneurs. It is also expected to X-ray the  UBA Market place  and how the global have been able  to bring together  businesses  from across the  topic.

Recall  that the TEF fourth  Forum in 2018, TEF Connect, regarded as  the largest  digital platform for African Enterpreneurs  was launched  to connect the Entrepreneurs to the opportunities they needed for their business o succeed.

Insiders informed the Magazine that   the TEF connect  will take the centre stage  at this year’s Forum as global debates move  to technology  as a key driver  of economic development in Africa.

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