Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest entrepreneur, has reaffirmed his support for the African fellowship program, an effort aimed at assisting and fostering future leaders across the continent.
The initiative, now in its 12th year, aims to empower young Africans from medium-sized firms (SMEs) and non-profit organizations to engage in the Young Global Leaders (YGL) Community, according to BusinessDay.
The Young Global Leaders program is a catalyst for a dynamic network of remarkable young people from around the world who have the vision, courage, and power to effect positive change in the world.
Dangote’s contribution to the initiative is made possible via his non-profit organization, the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF).
ADF announced in a statement that its relationship with YDL is because their missions are perfectly aligned. As a result, the Aliko Dangote African Fellowship program was developed to ensure the full participation of young African leaders in the Forum’s Young Global Leaders Community.
The fellowship covers each Fellow’s participation in World Economic Forum and YGL-led events for six years.
A rigorous selection procedure has so far resulted in the selection of 15 to 20 young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa.
During a recent visit by the fellows to the ongoing refinery project in Lagos, Aliko Dangote encouraged the fellows to give their all in their respective fields and not be discouraged when failures occur, as they are to be expected.
He also encouraged them to keep elevating their goals for our continent, because nothing is impossible.
Also speaking, Zouera Youssoufou, the ADF’s managing director/CEO, stated:
“Dangote’s support ensures that young African leaders, who may not have otherwise had the opportunity, can actively participate in the YGL Community and engage with global leaders”
“We thanked Dangote for his continuous support of the YGLs, and assured him that his investment is not in vain, as the young global leaders are achieving exploits in their respective fields and living up to the expectations of being true African future leaders.”
Fatima Aliko Dangote, ED Dangote Industries, also expressed delight in the 2023 Cohort’s diversity and high proportion of female colleagues.
Victor Ochen, an Aliko Dangote YGL alum and executive director of the African Youth Initiative Network, was blown away.
He said:
“I thank Dangote for his generosity, which has provided many young African leaders, regardless of the country, the much-needed financial means to participate in YGL events. Without the support of ADF, our active participation would not have been possiblle.”
