An Accelerator Summit highlighting the critical role of young people in driving the continent’s development was held in Accra by WestlionCo.
The Africa Entrepreneurship Accelerator Summit 2024, Ghana, brought together stakeholders, policymakers, educational leaders, and young African innovators to discuss Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Organized under the theme “Aspirations and Actions: Africa’s Youth at the Helm of Agenda 2063,” the summit emphasized the power of youth-led innovation in achieving continental goals.
Speaking at the event, Gifty Boatemaa Annan, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Westlion Co., highlighted the crucial role young people play in achieving the continent’s ambitious Agenda 2063—a strategic framework developed by the African Union (AU) aimed at transforming Africa into a global powerhouse.
“Take the bull by the horns and forge your own paths. Do not wait for anybody to hand you the opportunities. Be intentional, informed, and empowered,” she urged all Africans.
She emphasized the need to address Africa’s entrepreneurial environment, which often forces individuals into “necessity-driven businesses” lacking structural support for growth.
“We say we are entrepreneurs, but when you look deeper, many businesses here don’t have the bandwidth for growth. The ecosystem is lacking, which pushes people into entrepreneurship out of necessity rather than opportunity,” she explained.
Addressing whether Africa is ready for the transformative change it envisions, she noted, “Unfortunately, things have taken a darker turn. But hope is not lost. Young people just need to see the opportunities embedded within the continent. When they do, they’ll want to put their hands on deck and make it happen.”
The Dean of Business Administration and Communication Arts at Accra City University, Professor Enoch Opoku-Antwi, stressed the importance of education in creating future leaders.
“Knowledge and emotion are two of the most powerful forces in the world,” he said, advocating for a culture of research.
Professor Opoku-Antwi also noted that addressing Africa’s demographic challenges requires strategic, knowledge-driven approaches, adding, “Education should start with the question ‘why,’ inspiring young minds to think critically and create sustainable solutions.”
Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, described the summit as “a powerful platform empowering young Africans, particularly women, to drive economic transformation across our continent.”
She commended innovators, startup founders, and professionals for their courage and ambition, acknowledging the impact they are making on Africa’s economic landscape.
“To all of you here—whether you’re an SME founder, a startup visionary, an innovator, a young professional, or even a student—I want to recognize your courage, ambition, and commitment to creating positive change,” Ms. Mensah-Poku declared.
She noted that this year’s summit theme aligns with the goal of empowering young Africans to lead the continent’s future.
“Every startup launch, every job created, every young woman mentored is a step closer to realizing Agenda 2063—and the Africa we all envision,” she said.
Ms. Mensah-Poku also highlighted MTN’s commitment to supporting youth-led businesses saying that “MTN believes that everyone deserves the benefit of a modern, connected life.”
The summit also celebrated 35 exceptional African entrepreneurs under the age of 35, honoring their contributions to the continent’s economic transformation. These young innovators, representing diverse industries, received awards for their creativity and impact. Among them were tech entrepreneurs, social enterprise founders, and environmental advocates whose work is driving positive change across Africa.
By Jessel Lartey Therson-Cofie
