TheCable

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, will on Wednesday, engage with 2,000 Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) alumni in an open forum, that will guarantee a free and frank exchange of ideas and opinions.

According to a statement released on Tuesday, the session will be hosted by Tony Elumelu, TEF Founder and Heirs Holdings and UBA chairman.

“This gives African entrepreneurs the platform to closely engage with President Macron, learn from his experience as one of the youngest heads of state and someone who strongly champions entrepreneurship while networking and forging partnerships with French and African business leaders and policymakers in attendance,” the statement read.

Commenting on the programme, Tony Elumelu said: “President Macron’s recognition that African entrepreneurs are the key to Africa’s economic transformation and his desire to connect with and elevate the voices of future leaders is transformational.

“It is our privilege to host the president and it is a clear acknowledgement of our core belief that entrepreneurship is the catalyst for the social and economic development of Africa. How better to reach the most catalytic young minds in Africa than through TEF’s unique network of hundreds of thousands of Africa’s brightest young entrepreneurs?”

The Tony Elumelu Foundation alumni that will be attending the event are beneficiaries of the foundation’s programmes. This includes the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme where $100 million has been earmarked to train, mentor and fund 10,000 African entrepreneurs.