The world is coming to Nigeria for the Global Entrepreneurship Festival

The Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF), the world's biggest gathering of entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, creatives, policy makers and industry leaders, is set to take place at the Entrepreneurship Village in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, from November 22 to 24, 2024.

As the world grapples with significant challenges, including climate change, hunger, poverty, and inequality, the need for enhanced international cooperation, innovative solutions, and entrepreneurship is becoming more significant. The GEF aims to build on the outcomes of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA2024) and the Summit of the Future, accelerating progress toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The reaffirmed commitments from these global events will guide entrepreneurial discussions and business creation at the GEF.

The festival's theme, "Beyond Boundaries: Poverty Eradication through Entrepreneurship," with a focus on SDG 1: No Poverty was unveiled by the GEF Board Members and key partners at the exclusive Global Press Conference held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, on August 20, 2024. The press conference which was streamed live across ten countries worldwide, including the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada, Ghana, India, Liberia, Dubai, and Benin sets the tone for the event leading up to the world's largest entrepreneurship festival.

Mr. Dan Walkovi , a member of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival Board and Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Village, emphasised the festival's role in fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. The festival's core is the spirit of entrepreneurship and collaboration. GEF will bring together the brightest minds in business, innovation, technology, and creativity for an extraordinary convergence of ideas and inspiration.

Dr. Summy Smart Francis, Special Adviser to the Ondo State Government on Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Project Lead for the Global Entrepreneurship Festival highlighted the festival's comprehensive lineup. Over three impactful days, the festival will bring together over 5,000 participants during the conferences and 15,000 on Day 3 during the closing concert. It will feature twelve concurrent events designed to engage, inspire, educate and enable thousands of entrepreneurs, youth, local and global audiences. The events include conferences, networking sessions, business pitches to investors and VCs, an award gala, an innovation and robotics expo, a hackathon, art and creative exhibitions, a trade fair/exhibition, a global leadership forum, an international women's congress, a fashion show, and a closing concert.

“The festival is designed to address Africa's challenges and shift mindsets, creating a hub for deal-making, idea creation, design thinking, co-creation of solutions, and business pitches to over a hundred investors, venture capitalists, and local and international financiers. "This event is not just about addressing poverty; it's about transforming the way we think about entrepreneurship," added Francis.

The Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Wale Akinlosotu, expressed the government's commitment to hosting this monumental event. "The theme 'Beyond Boundaries' resonates deeply with our mission in Ondo State. Entrepreneurship is a powerful tool to combat poverty globally. With our rich resources and business-friendly environment, our state is proud to host this groundbreaking event," Akinlosotu stated.

A notable highlight of the press conference was the announcement of the 50th Anniversary of the "Rumble in the Jungle" Boxing Bout, which will bring together global champions to promote Sport for Development. This announcement was made by Mr. Don King, who was represented by Anthony Jones Esq., Founding and Managing Partner of the Jones Firm in the United States.

Other GEF Board members, including GEF Chairman, Otunba ‘Wanle Akinboboye (Founder, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ms. Foluke Michael (CEO/Project Director of Solution17), Hon. Shina Peller (CEO of Aquila Group of Companies), Anjani Mistry-Singh and Dr. Joy Smart Francis (E-Village Executive Director, Initiatives and Partnerships), spoke on various festival components. They reiterated the importance of collaboration and partnership in mobilising the global community to tackle SDG 1: No Poverty while addressing the interconnected nature of other global goals. The festival aims to ignite an international movement positioning youth development and entrepreneurship across different business sectors as critical economic and social transformation drivers.

At the Global Entrepreneurship Festival, we envision a world where entrepreneurship is accessible, celebrated, and supported, equipping the next generation with the necessary tools, networks, and platforms to thrive.

The Conference, a ended by members of the diplomatic community, government representatives, private sector leaders, influencers, ambassadors, youth groups, and media personnel, concluded with a resounding message: the Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF) is not merely an event but a global movement poised to redefine the future of entrepreneurship and youth engagement. The doors are now open to welcome new partnerships and collaborations.

By leveraging the outcomes of the United Nations General Assembly, particularly the Pact for the Future, GEF is set to pave the way for enhanced global cooperation and sustainable development.