Global Entrepreneurship Week beckons…and Africa is very much on the radar. Next week, GEW president Jonathan Ortmans will be in Nairobi, Kenya, for DEMO Africa, partner meetings for LIONS@FRICA and other engagements. Stay tuned for an update here next week. 

In the meantime, GEW hosts on the continent have been working around the clock planning activities and forming useful partnerships. Undoubtedly, these activities will go a long way to mobilize the youth of Africa in effectively unleashing their ideas for entrepreneurship. Here are highlights of a few of the innovative and educational activities planned from select GEW countries in Eastern, Southern, and Western Africa:

• Partnering with Coca Cola, Citibank, Safaricom Foundation and HSBC, GEW Kenya would start off with a National Students’ Entrepreneurship Competition as early as October 10, 2012.  This event is an effort to pursue Kenya’s Vision 2030 through innovative enterprise. It is scheduled to take place at the high end Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi. Other significant events scheduled include: A Careers Talk (17 Oct) at the offices of Citibank, Slum Fest (10 – 11 Nov), and a Universities Innovation Boot Camp (13 -15 Nov) at the Twiga Campsite and Lodge in Mombassa. The Boot Camp is in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Services, Acumen Fund, and iHUB.
• GEW Angola plans to celebrate the week with a maiden National Convention of Entrepreneurs, Photo Contest on National Entrepreneurship, and a Launch of A National Business Plan Competition.  The National Convention of Entrepreneurs, in particular, will bring together more than 300 entrepreneurs to discuss the most effective ways for better performance of nascent entrepreneurship in Angola.
• GEW Togo is unrelenting in its efforts at making its presence felt strongly this year. Our host there, in partnership with a number of state institutions--focused on entrepreneurship and youth development--have planned a series of events. Starting with the official opening of the campaign on November 9 2012 at the IAEC University. A handful of these partners include: Ministère de l’Artisanat (Ministry of Crafts), Chambre des Métiers (Chamber of Trade), Chambre du Commerce et d’Industrie du Togo (Office of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Melt National of Training, Formation and Improvement of  Professionals (FNAFPP), Cooperative Savings and Credit Artisans (CECA), and the University of Lomé. Significant among the line up of events are the Awareness Campaign on Entrepreneurship (15 Oct – 15 Nov)—to be held in select schools and universities across the length and breadth of Togo--and Artisans Training on Entrepreneurship and Creativity (Nov 6-7). The aforementioned events are expected to feature GEW Togo contact person, Edoh Agbove, as one of the many speakers.

As plans for GEW 2012 are being finalized in all participating countries in Africa, keep your eyes peeled for updates. Our hardworking hosts are sure not to disappoint!

.............................................

Blog post contribtued by Fertaa Yieleh-Chireh (GEW Global intern)

tags: Africa