The visiting President of France, Emmanuel Macron, in Lagos on Wednesday said that the time was ripe for Africa as a continent to decide how best to develop her entrepreneurial potential.
Macron gave the advice in Lagos while interacting with Young
African Entrepreneurs hosted by the Tony Elumelu Foundation in Lagos.
He noted that Africa ‘s new generation had a lot of responsibility.
“If Africa does not succeed, France and Europe will never succeed. Let
me say that whatever is good for Africa is good for France.
“Nobody is to decide for Africa. Africans are the ones to decide for
themselves. Africans are the ones to take responsibility.
“Africa is the one to decide for Africa, and to create her logo of
entrepreneurship and culture,’’ he said.
Macron said that it was imperative for Africans to know what was good
for their people and the type of innovation they would need.
“You should begin to innovate with African Start-ups,’’ he said.
President Macron said that it was important for Africans at home and in
the Diaspora to contribute to the building of the continent to an enviable
global standard.
He said that if the African diaspora in France and Europe could not join
in building their continent, there was no way they could join in building
France or Europe.
Mr Tony Elumelu, Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, said that
President Macron was visiting Nigeria and Africa to demonstrate the
relevance of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship.
Elumelu told the young Nigerian entrepreneurs that President Macron
strongly believed in their entrepreneurial skills that could transform
and build a great continent.
He also informed the President that the young entrepreneurs would need
access and opportunities, adding that they were currently being faced with some challenges.
President Muhammadu Buhari and French President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements to the tune of $475 million loans in Abuja on Tuesday, after talks between Nigeria and France.
The agreements consisted of a $200 million loan facility grant to Lagos State, another $200 million loan for a land degradation project in Ogun State and $75 million for the execution of water projects in Kano State, facilitated by Agence Francaise Development.
Macron made history on Tuesday night, as the first President to visit the Afrika Shrine at Agidingbi, Ikeja accompanied by Lagos State Gov., Akinwunmi Ambode.