US consulate to support Tony Elumelu Foundation with $105,000 grant

The US consulate general in Lagos has announced a partnership to support the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) entrepreneurship programme with a $105,000 grant.

Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, Claire Pierangelo, US consul general, said the partnership defines the consulate’s mutual commitment to promoting entrepreneurship as a key driver of job growth, economic prosperity and political stability in Nigeria.

She said 20 fellows will be selected under the partnership for training.

“Through a public diplomacy grant of $105,000, the U.S Consulate is supporting the training of a cohort of entrepreneurs from southern Nigeria under the 2019 Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program,” Pierangelo said.

“Under this partnership, we selected 20 “U.S. Consulate/TEF Fellows” to receive additional entrepreneurship training through a day-long program at the U.S. Consulate General that utilize some of the resources of the Young African Leaders Initiative, including alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

“The 20 Fellows were selected from the Consular District with a priority being placed on five key sectors: energy, technology, agriculture and health.

“This program is intended to give these Fellows insight to innovative U.S. business models that will help them manage their businesses, market their products or services, seek capital and develop partnerships.”

Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, TEF’s chief executive officer, said the organisation is excited about the partnership.

“This partnership will replicate the tried and tested TEF Entrepreneurship Programme model, in response to the problem of youth unemployment across the African continent, and Nigeria in this case,” she said.