Despite their active involvement, young entrepreneurs in Africa face many challenges. For those who may be struggling to establish their ventures, it appears important to find some support and connect with youngsters in a similar position. From the 10th to 13th October 2011, the city of Cotonou, Benin will host a workshop designed to help expanding entrepreneurship among young people.
The workshop is organized by the Global Youth Innovation Network (GYIN) and is seeking applications from young entrepreneurs who want to attend. This is an opportunity not to be missed as if your name is selected and if you become part of the distinguished youth participants, the organization will pay for your flight and accommodation in Benin. In addition, you will join the workshop, rubbing shoulders with policy makers, representative of development organizations and other young entrepreneurs.
The forum is expected to bring together young entrepreneurs from across all sectors. Participants will exchange knowledge on matters surrounding agriculture, technology and culture. A wide coverage to ensure that all entrepreneurs will be equipped with enough skills and shared knowledge to face the obstacles that will come up their way, no matter their field of business.
The Global Youth Innovation Network (GYIN) runs the Youth Entrepreneurs—Agents of Change with the aim of enabling young people to identify opportunities and innovations in small scale agri-business with the hope of eliminating poverty. The organization also creates a platform for young entrepreneurs to network and exchange ideas aiming at building entrepreneurship among Africa’s poor youth.
This is no utopia: according to the Youth Entrepreneurs—Agents of Change initiative, the lack of role models, poor working environments and limited skills and business networks are a big challenge to young entrepreneurs. A statement posted on the organization’s website promotes youth entrepreneurship as a critical way to ensure poverty eradication and economic independence of young people. It also emphasizes the need to approach entrepreneurship from a youth angle. Because at the end of the day, this is where it all starts. If the youth can be strong enough to react and sustain viable businesses, then the economy as a whole will benefit from it.
The threefold rationale of this fair is to first create a youth platform to ensure that young entrepreneurs can learn and share experiences, innovation, creativity between and among themselves particularly from West and Central Africa.”
In a nutshell this is an opportunity to interact with and learn from other young entrepreneurs in Africa. All for free. Sounds interesting? Then go ahead and apply. Good luck from Africa Report.
How to apply: If you are interested in attending the workshop you should fill out an application form found here
You will have to provide personal details, describe your business and products and services you deal with and explain how you started the business. You are also supposed to outline your goals and targets for the next two to three years, the challenges you have faced and name a role model who has inspired you.
For more details about the workshop you can write to Rachel Sly at RSly@phelpsstokes.org
