Dare, three young entrepreneurs to represent Nigeria at Forbes summit

Three young entrepreneurs have been selected to represent Nigeria at the 2023 Forbes Under 30 Africa Summit in Gaborone, Botswana from April 23 to 26.

They are Ashley Jiritmwa Dimka-Tapgun, 29, CEO of Ashley’s Strawberry Farms Limited; Ayodeji Atte, 28, a media entrepreneur; and Winnie Ojochenemi Adejo, 29, CEO and creative director of Kira Brand Limited.

A statement from the ministry of youth and sports development on Friday said the entrepreneurs would be accompanied on the four-day trip by Sunday Dare, the minister who would be representing President Muhammadu Buhari at the summit based on the invitation of Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

According to Forbes, the summit is being organised “to harness the power of entrepreneurial capitalism amid a continent whose growth is ripe with opportunities for young entrepreneurs and rapidly becoming a hub for business and technological innovation.”

It would also focus on “unlocking the continent’s biggest opportunities through inspiration, innovation and exploration” and enable the entrepreneurs to get the opportunity to network with over 1000 other young entrepreneurs from across the world.

Some of the A-listers expected include Ghazi Shami, founder & CEO, Empire Distribution; Denim Richards, actor & founder, Khumo Studios; Fireboy DML, award-winning Afrobeats artiste; Uche Pedro, founder & CEO, Bella Naija; Adebola Williams, chairman, AW Network and founder, RED; and Noureddine Tayebi, founder & CEO, Yassir.

Atte, one of the entrepreneurs, said he looks forward to exploiting the experience.

“I am extremely delighted to be selected to attend the 2023 Forbes Under 30 Africa Summit in Botswana to share with others the opportunities and inherent capabilities that young people can learn from. I cannot wait to share ideas with colleagues there and return to Nigeria with new knowledge and experiences,” he said.

On his part, the minister described the event as another opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate the improvement of its youth.

“I am proud to be leading this delegation to this event to showcase our youth and demonstrate their investment worthiness. We are a country blessed with immense and diverse talent and it shows even in the number of speakers and VIPs for this event that are Nigerians,” Dare said.

“We believe Africa’s future development is hinged on production of both mid and high value complex and non-complex items that we currently import from outside the continent that we should ordinarily share internally, a drive behind the AFCTA. Nigeria will as usual contribute impactfully as we continue to facilitate investment, aspiration and networks for our youth.”