By Yakubu LAAH InvestAdvocate
Lagos (INVESTADVOCATE)- The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) on Monday announced a list of African entrepreneurs selected from all corners of Africa as 1,000 members of the TEEP class of 2015.
“After receiving over 20,000 applications from 52 countries across Africa, the application phase of the $100 million Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) is over and a list of the successful candidates will be uploaded on the Foundation’s website on the 24th of March, 2015 at 10am West Africa Time.
Together, we’ll join forces to support Africa’s next entrepreneurial success stories, and shine a spotlight on their transformative business ideas,” a statement on the TEEP official website said.
A statement from Omede Odekina, media relations executive, marketing and corporate communications of Heirs Holdings say the winners represent 52 African countries and territories, as well as a multitude of value adding sectors ranging from agriculture to education to fashion and ICT.
It disclosed the top five (5) countries in terms of numbers of winners are Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Ghana. “All five African regions – North, East, Southern, Central and West Africa are represented, as well as all major language blocs – Anglophone, Francophone, Lusophone, and Arabic Africa. More than anything else, they epitomise the opportunity and promise of Africa,” the statement added.
The Foundation appointed Accenture as an independent review consultant to thoroughly evaluate each application based on selection criteria approved by the TEEP Selection Committee made up of successful entrepreneurs and development experts from across Africa.
The selected entrepreneurs will continue through the programme cycle over the next nine months. This cycle includes an intensive online training curriculum, mentoring, and participation in a two-day entrepreneurship boot-camp and the Elumelu
“The high quantity and quality of applicants we have received is testament to the brilliant ideas and incredible talent that exists in abundance across Africa. The Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme will give structure and support to these African entrepreneurs to develop themselves and to grow their businesses. Through TEEP, the ripple effects of the long-term investments in a new generation of Africapitalists will be felt throughout the continent,” Parminder Vir, director of Entrepreneurship at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, affirmed.
