[dropcap]M[/dropcap]icrosoft, through its 4Afrika Initiative, has collaborated with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) to provide entrepreneurs in the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme with technology-based tools, resources and mentorship. Through this support – which will benefit TEF entrepreneurs across the continent – the two organisations will help entrepreneurs effectively use ICT to modernise their businesses, enrich their offerings and reach new customers.
“Every year, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme provides 1,000 entrepreneurs with business training, mentoring, access to seed capital funding and membership into the TEF Africa-wide Network,” says Parminder Vir OBE, CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation. Through this partnership, we are supporting each other’s mission to enable Africa’s entrepreneurs to drive their businesses forward.”
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“As we enter into an era of digital transformation, it’s vital that we help all entrepreneurs develop relevant technology skills and integrate ICT into their businesses, says Akin Banuso, General Manager, Microsoft Nigeria.
“Microsoft 4Afrika and the Tony Elumelu Foundation share a common goal to accelerate economic and social development by promoting entrepreneurship.”
” Technology can help SMEs reach customers outside their local markets, generate powerful business insights and improve their customer retention. We have found that SMEs who adopt this kind of modern IT have seen 15% faster revenue growth than those not using it.”
Microsoft 4Afrika will provide TEF entrepreneurs with:
· Access to cloud-based software, online support and technology through BizSpark
· Access to information and markets through the Biz4Afrika platform, where SMEs can trade with similar-sized organisations
· Technical training on Microsoft technologies and platforms during the 2017 TEF Forum
· Online business and technology training through the Microsoft Virtual Academy, to support entrepreneurs through their start-up, growth and acceleration phases
· Access to Microsoft experts for virtual and in-person mentorship through the MySkills4Afrika programme
· Access to the Interns4Afrika programme
In addition, Microsoft will also identify high potential entrepreneurs from the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme and integrate them into its Innovation Grant Programme.
During the MOU singing at Microsoft headquarters, one TEF Entrepreneur already benefitting from the partnership, Adeniyi Olayemi said: the training I received through the Foundation helped me to refine my business idea and then produce a successful proposal, then once we received access to Microsoft’s Azure software, I was able to close on a deal.”
Since 2013, the Innovation Grant Programme has provided financial support to over 55 local start-ups, who have since generated $5.1 million in reciprocal investments.
EDITOR’S NOTE
The Tony Elumelu Foundation was established in 2010, The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is the leading philanthropy in Africa championing entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs across the continent. The Foundation’s long-term investment in entrepreneurship is emblematic of Tony Elumelu’s philosophy of Africapitalism, which positions Africa’s private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the continent. The Foundation’s flagship initiative, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, is a 10-year, $100 million commitment to identify, train mentor and fund 10,000 entrepreneurs, capable of changing the face of business across Africa.
