Dear Friends of Top30Under30,

Regrettably, we have to postpone plans for our Top30Under30 Inaugural Awards billed for October 2008 in Abuja, Nigeria. We have been delaying this announcement in the hope that one or two avenues would change things, but unfortunately they haven’t and so it’s time to face reality.

Unfortunately we weren’t able to raise enough funds through sponsorship to cover the costs needed to make the awards hold in October, which effectively means no conference this year. We are currently looking at more innovative ways to get the financing we need for 2009.

*** Please spread the word ***

As you may know, we sought to launch this event as a pan-African initiative. But after reviewing progress, we have agreed that, this is not going to be achievable in the available time. Our team did all they could to deliver on an ambitious plan, and I commend their efforts.

We apologize to those of you who are disappointed or inconvenienced. We will not relent in our efforts to celebrate the best of Africa’s young entrepreneurs, and launch a movement of next-generation world-class entrepreneurs on the continent. Top30Under30 remains fully committed to continuing to serve its growing and passionate African and global community. We are considering a number of options, including holding the event in 2009, and expect to make a further announcement soon.

If you have any specific questions or concerns, please write to me deji@top30under30.com. Meanwhile we will continue to promote the ideals of Top30Under30 in providing enterprise development to Under 30’s in Africa. Please be in touch via our website - www.top30under30.com - we will be launching new features and initiatives as we build up to the Inaugural Awards.

Thank you for your continual interest.

Yours truly,

Ayodeji Adewunmi
Curator
Top30Under30

2^nd April 2008

Honourable guests;

Officials;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

If I had a grand wish to make this morning, it would be that all my schedules were cancelled and I could be in Lagos with this distinguish audience. Please pardon me believing that I have tried as much as I could but to no avail.

I would declare this morning the old Latin saying “Ex Africa semper aliquid novi!” (Something new always comes out of Africa). The world is learning from India and China, the world is learning to see opportunities in the African diversity, the world is learning to respect the genius of young people, the world is learning not to look down on Africa. Indeed the world is waiting for something new from Africa.

When young people take a firm decision that they can effect a change in the future of the continent then we are beholding a revolution, a revolution that is borne out of the internal conviction that something can be done to change the course of Africa’s history. For five days in October the world press will not focus on the disease, war and famine that has become the main theme of world press on Africa. Rather, the spotlight will be beamed on the 30 finest entrepreneurs that Africa has to offer. As US Venture Capitalist, Hunt Greene said, “Everything is always impossible before it works. That is what entrepreneurs are all about—doing the impossible.” This is the essence of Top30under30. Moreso the energy that is needed to revitalise the African continent lies with the youth who can dare anything and achieve all things.

You are here today because somehow you believe all I have said about the youth. You believe somehow that if young people be given a chance they will push limits; you believe that they are the Mavericks that can score the hat-trick that Africa needs. You are here because you remember what dreams you had as young people and how far you could have gone if you had the right support. Well, behold another generation with their hopes, dreams and visions. Would they look behind and see your face urging them on or would they be let down. It is up to you! I have decided that if I wanted to sincerely see a change in Africa I must encourage the youth who connect today to tomorrow, thereby I can help raise men who create meaning and add timeless values. I opted to be the Chair of the Judging Panel and to always be a phone call away not minding the personal sacrifice. Perhaps am gleefully disillusioned with the thought that I could be sowing a seed to change Africa’s fortunes.

Your presence as distinguished guests this morning symbolizes the global nature of entrepreneurship as well as the growing recognition of Africa as an emerging entrepreneurial hub. My gratitude goes to the gentlemen and ladies of the 4^th estate-of-the-realm, the various corporate sponsors and partners for their generosity as well as to the many accomplished entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and friends both within Africa and outside the shores of the Atlantic. Your generosity and participation has contributed greatly to this very important gathering leading up to October.

As I close, we can improve the fortunes of Africa and its people by supporting systems, like Top30Under30, that foster entrepreneurship. It’s a message that needs to be heard more loudly. Unleashing Africa’s entrepreneurial potential will improve lives by creating the jobs and economic opportunity that will lift people out of poverty. Entrepreneurship has to be at the heart of our struggle for a renewed Africa. It’s this very message I bring to you today.

Thank you.

Koosum Kalyan, Koosum joined Shell South Africa (Pty) Limited in 1990 as Chief Economist in the Corporate Planning Department.  She was appointed General Manager of Corporate Affairs in August 1995. In 1998, Koosum was appointed on an assignment to Shell International Global Scenarios Team in London to map out the Africa Scenarios.

Prior to Shell, Koosum worked as an Economist at the Chamber of Mines of South Africa and the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in Australia.

Since 2001 Koosum has held the position of Senior Business Development Manager/Exploration, Shell International Exploration. She is an adviser to the South African Government on State Owned Enterprises in Africa, a member of President Mbeki’s Steering Committee on Scenarios for South Africa and a member and co-facilitator of the UNAIDS/Shell Scenario Planning Team on HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Koosum was seconded to Prime Minister Blair’s Commission for Africa on a part time basis as Private Sector Liaison and Coordinator for Africa. She has presented many papers on Economic Issues and Oil and Gas in Africa, as well as assisting several governments in Africa on long term planning processes. She serves on the Commonwealth Business Council Advisory Group.  Koosum also chairs the G8 Business Action Against Corruption in Africa.

Koosum holds non executive Board Directorships at South African Airways, South African Reserve Bank subsidiaries, MTN Group and the Standard Bank Group.

Putting his career on the line at the age of 43 — he quit his job at British Telecom to start his own company.

He also started mobile phone operator Celtel which is in 14 African countries. Cashing in and now rich beyond his wildest dreams, he now has his own foundation.

CNN’s Todd Benjamin caught up with him in London and began by asking him about investing in Africa.

Ibrahim: Africa was perceived, it still is to some extent, as a place which is very difficult to do business in. I don’t share that view. Africa has 53 countries, Todd. And you find that three or four countries in these 53 are dominating the news.

There is, I think, a problem with image for Africa. Whenever there is a problem with image, whenever there is a gap between reality and perception, there is a good business there. I’m an African. If I don’t do it, who else will do it?

Benjamin: With your considerable fortune, you’ve set aside $400 million for a foundation that focuses on governance in Africa, good governance. And you have an index to measure whether certain criteria are being met, and you have a prize, $5 million, to a leader who exhibits exemplary governance. What do you hope to accomplish with that?

Ibrahim: We want the civil society to own the issue of political governance. It’s the most important issue really: governance. Without good governance, Africa will go nowhere.

Second objective, we also want to encourage and support successful African leadership. African leaders work really under severe limitations and constraints. If you think what keeps our prime minister here in England awake at night — will it be the hip replacement operation queue now is three months instead of two months?

You take one of our African leaders. I have half a million HIV positive. I have problems with malaria, power generation, kids need schools, not enough schools for them, fresh water. So many issues. I really wonder how those guys sleep at night.

Don’t Miss

• Todd Benjamin’s Boardroom blog
• Mo Ibrahim profile
• Celtel: The facts

So what we want to do is to support those leaders who manage really to face these problems, to take millions of people out of poverty, to build a just society, a democratic society.

Benjamin: You’re an immensely wealthy man now — worth at least a billion dollars, maybe more — and yet I’ve read where you’ve said that money’s not important to you.

Ibrahim: I hope you or your audience will believe me. I never set out really to build a financial empire or to be a wealthy man. I just enjoy what I’m doing and money happened. It’s a nice bi-product. It was an enabler. And I see the value of money really as an enabler to enable me to do the things I love to do. And I’m so grateful that I’ve made this money because I’m able to go back to Africa now and do something like the foundation.

Benjamin: For any entrepreneur, passion is the key. You can’t be thinking about money. You have to be passionate about what you do.

Ibrahim: Absolutely. Absolutely. You need to love it. You need to breathe it. You need to sleep it. You need to wake it. It is your life and you and your project are one. Look at me. I feel so young. I’m 60 years old but I feel like 20 years old because I love what I do.

Benjamin: What do you want your legacy to be?

Ibrahim: A good African boy. That’s all I want, just a good African boy who did not forget his people.

Culled from http://edition.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/03/20/boardroom.ibrahim/index.html

9:28pm.
Monday.
April, 200+8.

We have finally activated this space!

Top30Under30 is out to recognize, reward and promote entrepreneurship among Under 30’s in Africa.Young Entrepreneurs are a Growth Engine for Emerging Economies. Young entrepreneurs are vital to economic prosperity. They carry the future of their nations on their shoulders. Accordingly, they need connections, training, mentorship, finance, business support and access to new markets around the world, as well as support from their communities to engage as emerging young leaders.

Without entrepreneurs, economies in Africa will continue to be poor and weak. Social systems have to be built that give entrepreneurs room to thrive, and we are out to activate this system (with your help) for Africa’s Next Generation.

Stay tuned!

-Ayodeji