The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s Post

For the first time since the start of the Industrial Revolution, MENA stands on the cusp of a new Golden Age, brought about by economic transformation that is set to reshape the region and create long-term prosperity for its people. Since 2020, we have been tracking the key dimensions that will accelerate the economic integration needed for MENA to reach its full potential - free flow of capital, data, people and goods and services. Our latest report, released at #WEF24 yesterday, shows that there is almost USD1 trillion in untapped GDP growth for the region if we can improve integration across these dimensions. We certainly see some great progress towards reaching economic potential across MENA. UAE, Saudi and Egypt’s increased trade and FDI means that collectively they now match the PPP GDP of the UK or France. However, our research shows that MENA as a whole is still punching well below its weight - holding 4.2% of the global population, but producing just 3.3% of global GDP. Government initiatives are an important factor in improving integration and unlocking growth, but I believe the private sector must take the lead in driving the investment and collaboration needed to accelerate the pace of change. Many thanks to my fellow panellists for a fantastic discussion at yesterday’s event - HE Rania A. Al-Mashat, Hatem Dowidar and Shirin Pakfar - Friborg and to John Defterios for moderating. Download the report here https://maf.am/48YzXjQ

Until the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) plays its role of aggregating and integrating small and medium enterprises, it will remain a mere ‘Podium to the Streets’ talk, experts have warned. Here's how countries can optimize AfCFTA. ⤵️

Learn about TAF Focus Units, as John Walugembe explains the role they will play in development of our global #PanAfrican the community. #PanAfricanism #TheAfricanFederation #TAFEconomy #TAFEnvironment #TAFGovernance #TAFNarrative #TAFWellness

Greetings from the European Humanitarian Forum in Brussels 👋 . Sacha Christianson and Jens Schwalb are representing us at the forum. What matters to them is to give a spot light to local actors: 📢 Local and national actors, including humanitarian NGOs, are pivotal during and after emergencies. Empowering communities through equitable partnerships can strengthen their participation in decision-making, giving them a greater voice and agency in their own recovery! 📢 For the work with our partners it is essential that multi-year, predictable funding that gives flexibility is provided. This way long-term, quality partnerships can be formed and sustainability guaranteed. Furthermore, due diligence and administrative processes need to be simplified in order to enable swift and easy cooperation! #EHF2024

The Past, Present & the Future 🚀 Thoughts?!🤔 #africansolutionstoafricanproblems #venturecapital #mindsettransformation #africa2024 #thetruth #africanentrepreneurs #africanstartups #africanunion

Gladly, African youth spoke, and the AfCFTA Secretariat has listened! This AfCFTA Youth Symposium is the first of its kind, inspired and led by the efforts and work by African youth as mentioned above. If you’re a development partner looking to have impact on the next generation Africa, this symposium is the place to be. Come 21-23 August 2023, all roads should lead to Lusaka. Least listen to youth and reshape our investment priorities to be responsive and supportive to their aspirations for the AfCFTA - the landmark project that will see Africa advance to the next level with youth in the driving seat. YouLead Africa AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council Afrikan Youth Business Council Mastercard Foundation African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) African Development Bank Group Sajilu Kamwendo In 2020/2021, I was chanced to initiate and lead a continental process and partnership that became responsible for the first generation of AfCFTA Youth Inclusion work on the continent - pioneering leading work on Youth and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area - aka AfCFTA, forming the first ever continental collaborating entities partnership - a first of its kind continental formation of leading African youth-led entities concerned with shaping the youth agenda on the AfCFTA with presence in all 5 regions of the African continent, researching and publishing the landmark Continental AfCFTA Youth Inclusion Study entitled “Making the AfCFTA Promises to the African youth a reality” given foreword and launched by AfCFTA’s Secretary General in 2021 and has since become iconic guiding star to the AfCFTA Secretariat and other key stakeholders’ engagement with youth and inspired much of currently ongoing work on AfCFTA youth inclusion on the continent. Report is accessible here: https://lnkd.in/df4BDg6Z In the bid to address the structural exclusion of young people in AfCFTA processes revealed in the AfCFTA Youth Inclusion Study, he curated, incubated and supported the formation of leading youth engagement structures championing the AfCFTA youth agenda such as the Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council on AfCFTA - a continental youth-led body recognised by the AfCFTA Secretariat in 2021 espousing the voice of youth of all walks of life and sectors to ensure their participation in the AfCFTA processes and the Afrikan Youth Business Council - a collective private sector apex body for youth and their business enterprises launched by the African Union Commission in 2022 to particularly advance the capacity of youth and their enterprises to engage in commercially meaningful trade especially in the AfCFTA era.

In 2023, West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network chalked some remarkable successes. These include; ✅ Rolling out the DEMOS-Fund initiative to support CSOs and pro-democracy actors ✅ Commencing the Next Gen Initiative to groom next crop of leaders ✅ Kickstarting the DemoCreative initiative to collaborate with creatives in building democratic resilience ✅ Supporting CSOs in countries undergoing political transitions in West Africa ✅ Being recognized by sub-regional and regional bodies and institutions such as ECOWAS Commission, African Union and the African Union ECOSOCC As we look forward to a year of more impact, here is a highlight of WADEMOS Network's 2023 activities, milestones, and achievements in 350 seconds. #SolidarityForDemocracy

Eurochambres is part of the #EULACBusinessRoundtable taking place in conjunction with today’s #EUCELACSummit. For European business, advancing our economic partnership with the region has never been more important and is critical to the #twintransition.

Next to the 'Grants' sign, reflecting on discussions from the Summit of the Future about SDG funding with various donors and CSOs working across different thematic areas. CSOs discovered the crucial need for communities to grasp their needs and design response mechanisms, recognizing that most issues cut across different sectors. We requested donors to rework funding mechanisms, addressing the complexities and technicalities we face. Let's shift power to the grassroots and prioritize funding community initiatives over expanding international organizations branches. #FutureSummit #SDGFunding #EmpowerCommunities #diplomat #youthactivism