Entrepreneurship & Business Development
Beginnings in Lagos
On 24 April 2014, at the age of 58, I embarked on a life-changing journey to Lagos, Nigeria. Inspired by the vision of Nigerian businessman and philanthropist Tony O. Elumelu, I accepted his invitation to join his foundation as the Director of Entrepreneurship. His commitment to empowering African entrepreneurs through a $100 million, 10-year initiative deeply resonated with me. I was captivated by his belief that the next generation of Africans could profoundly reshape the continent’s future.
In 2014, the global perception of Africa was shifting, and I was proud to be a part of this transformative journey. The continent was no longer seen solely as a problem to be solved but as an opportunity to be seized. Central to this new narrative was the empowerment of Africans to become drivers of wealth creation, problem-solving, and leadership on the global stage. This resonated deeply with me as a filmmaker – the importance of individuals owning their narratives, sharing their stories, and shaping their destinies.
Contributing to Africa
My journey to Africa was informed by over thirty years of expertise in business development in emerging markets, media finance, film and television productions, creative industries, and leadership. As the founder of PVL Media in 2008, I led the delivery of high-level strategy and partnerships for business, collaborating with clients such as ARM Nigeria, Google UK, ITN Source, Omnicom Media Group, and Goldsmiths University of London. My extensive experience serving on various private and public sector boards further bolstered my contributions to the African entrepreneurial landscape.
Launching the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme
TEF FORUM & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS DURING TENURE
Lasting Impact
My time at TEF and journeys across 50 African countries have indelibly marked my life. Among the many legacies of my time at the Foundation, I am most proud of the entrepreneurs from every corner of Africa who have been trained, mentored, and funded. The strategy I implemented to scale the programme’s reach and efficacy through strategic partnerships has been furthered by the current TEF leadership, benefiting even more African entrepreneurs.
Since launching the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015, the Foundation has surpassed its goal of empowering 10,000 African entrepreneurs. According to its report “Our Story of Demonstrable Impact”, published in May 2024, TEF has disbursed USD$100 million in direct funding to 20,000 African women and men entrepreneurs across 54 African countries. These entrepreneurs have created over 400,000 jobs, with 58% founded by women, generating $2.3 billion in revenues across geographies and various sectors. Their success stories are a testament to the transformative power of entrepreneurship.
Recently, on a bus ride from the train station in Oxford, I was delighted to meet two young Africans who received training, mentoring, and seed capital from the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in 2017 and 2018 and are still running successful businesses. We were on our way to the Skoll World Forum 2024 in Oxford.
Being part of this legacy is a source of great pride, and I cherish the title of “Mother of African Entrepreneurs” bestowed upon me.
Ongoing Commitment
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