Released in 2015, Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs: Transforming Africa is the first documentary I produced while serving as the CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Directed and edited by David Monfort, this film captures the genesis of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme and its vision.
The documentary shares Tony Elumelu’s Africapitalist philosophy, his vision for Africa’s immense opportunities, and the Foundation’s pioneering work in its first five years. It features some of the 1,000 entrepreneurs from the inaugural 2015 cohort, such as:
- Rik Stamhuis, a Madagascar-based social entrepreneur and co-founder,
- Vital Sounouvou, a celebrated trade and investment entrepreneur,
- Ogola Kange, CEO of Smiley’z Foods, a thriving food enterprise, and
- Siphiwe Sithole, a South African farmer breaking new ground.
These entrepreneurs—representing industries as diverse as agriculture, food production, and social enterprise—continue to lead successful businesses nearly a decade later.
The film documents the vibrant boot camp held in Nigeria in July 2015, where entrepreneurs from 54 African countries met with country leaders, mentors, and industry experts. It was a unique opportunity to network, build relationships for intra-African trade, and lay the foundation for collaboration across the continent.
The documentary also highlights the Foundation’s commitment to shaping policy around entrepreneurship through research and thought leadership. It showcases the creativity and innovation of Africa’s entrepreneurs, setting the stage for the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme to thrive and grow.
