PRESS RELEASE LEADING AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURS TO SHARE TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT ESKOM FORUM
Posted Tue, 25 Oct 2005

Ten of Africa’s top entrepreneurs will share their tips for success at the forthcoming Eskom African Business Leaders Forum to be held in Sandton from November 1, 2005.
The leading lights of African enterprise include:……………

• Paul Harris, CEO FirstRand banking group, South Africa
• Chris Kirubi, Chairman of Capital Group, Kenya
• Herman Mashaba, Founder of Black Like Me, South Africa
• Brian Hattingh, CEO of Cycan Group, South Africa
• Chief Michael Ade Ojo, CEO of Elizade Group, Nigeria
• Andrew Fasedemi, Executive Chairman of Wisdom Keys Group
• Foluso Phillips, Chairman of Phillips Consulting, Nigeria

“While there has been a surge of entrepreneurial activity on the continent, with increased inter-country and inter-regional trade, there are clear indications that there is much room for entrepreneurial development,” says Chief Ojo.  “One of the questions that we must ask ourselves is: are we optimising the opportunities to identify and develop entrepreneurs? 

Global studies have proven that entrepreneurship and new venture creation are essential drivers of economic growth and social mobility.  Business development on the continent of Africa will be a key component of growth and development. One of the pressing challenges facing African countries is that of unlocking the power of entrepreneurship in order to stimulate economic growth as well as the sustainable development of the continent.

We live in a world where knowledge is key.  Those who are skilled find it easy to succeed and do so at a much faster pace.  With the rapidly changing market environment, formal employment is less certain and the need for entrepreneurship is growing.
The conference will deliver a strong message that through hard work, creativity and values-driven leadership, individuals living anywhere, from any background, can turn an entrepreneurial idea into a world-class venture,” comments Everest Ekong, organiser of the Forum and publisher of Business in Africa magazine.

The highlights of the 2005 Forum, sponsored by Eskom, MTN, the National Ports Authority, Siemens and FirstRand, titled Leadership for Tranformation will include: four plenary sessions on women, poverty, entrepreneurship and governance; 32 high-level keynote speakers; three breakaway sessions on gender issues, entrepreneurship and practical leadership; twenty-four interactive learning sessions; 400 high-profile delegates expected from at least 25 African countries; two days of high-level business networking; and Pan-African media coverage and broadcast of selected sessions.

For further information, or should you wish to register on line, kindly visit the website www.businessinafrica.net or contact:
 
For further information, or should you wish to register on line, kindly visit the website www.businessinafrica.net or contact:

Portia  Mofikoe, Business Development Manager
Tel: + 27 11 807 0948
Fax: + 27 11 807 0919
Cell: + 27 83 993 6120
www.businessinafrica.net

 

For further information contact:
Corporate Communications Consultants (Pty) Ltd
Contact: Sue Brewitt/Loraine Harris
Tel (011) 783 8926

ABOUT BUSINESS IN AFRICA MAGAZINE
Business in Africa is a monthly magazine published by the Business in Africa Group – a multi-media consultancy which specialises in providing publishing, broadcasting and marketing communication solutions to clients seeking to profit from doing business on the continent. The magazine was launched in London in 1993 and today has offices in London, Johannesburg, Lagos, Abuja, Accra and Nairobi. It is read by business decision-makers in most of the successful businesses throughout Africa and is essential reading for everybody with an interest in Africa.

Editorial Focus
The magazine has established itself as the leading source of high-quality information and analysis of developments in the commercial centres of Africa. It provides business information in key areas where information supply fails to meet the increasingly specialised demand. The information is compiled by a team of experienced business editors and experts in 23 African countries who report on everything from politics to finance, banking, insurance, computers & technology, mining, stock markets, aviation and tourism as well as many other areas of interest. It provides a factual and independent view of Africa to the magazine’s readers, as well as timely, accurate information on valuable business opportunities, in-depth reviews on the economies of individual countries, corporate profiles and business developments on the continent.