INSPIREAFRIKA WELCOME UMFAZI
BEING A LEADER TODAY
MISS AFRICA MONTREAL
BY TIBURCE CHAFFA
CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE
THIS IS AFROMANIA ! The leader of e-commerce in Afrika
DISCOVER INESKACREATIONS
THE CREATIVE KINGDOM OF PAUL SIKA
THE EDITOR’S NOTE A year ago, Inspire Afrika published its first edition to promote and encourage Africa’s young entrepreneurs. You were not able to miss it since we took the time to thank every single one of you, for your unconditional support. We are doing it again today: THANK YOU Back then, our premise was simple: Success will only come if we lead by example. In other words, it is important to raise awareness through information. This is, according to us, the way to reach success. Innovation has no borders. If you have been following us throughout this year, you would have noticed that no matter the domain, young Africans know how to dare and innovate. Some are surely wondering how many Jason Njoku (Iroko TV) or Verone Mankou (WayC) exist among us. I would say millions. Yes, millions because in reality we all have the potential to spark the change which we are no longer waiting for because it is here. The will to initiate. The will to take action. The will to lead by example. The will to Dare for Africa. These are some characteristics of the young minds we are revealing to you. We want today to be a reminder that we will only make it together. For our birthday edition, at Inspire Afrika we decided to bring together all the domains in order to unite our readers. But most importantly, we emphasized on those who are taking the leap together. Always remember this collective state of mind. So if you want to be part of this change, you have come to the right place! And once you have been inspired, be sure to pass the message along: Africa is moving, and us, its youth, are no longer waiting to change mentalities. From now on the world can count on us. Say it everywhere! Be it on on social networks, to your friends, family or colleagues. We can no longer wait. The time has come to act and have faith in the future. Enjoy, Joan. Y and Chrys N.
CONTENTS 6 INSPIR’ FAVORITE INYE: The new African Tablet
20 FOCULTURE Miss Africa Montréal
8 INSPIR’ INTERVIEW Paul Sika world
22 INSPIR’ START-UP Voici AFROMANIA
12 OSER L’Afrique Discover Careers in Africa
24 INSPIR’ THOUGHTS Tiburce Chaffa
14 INSPIR’ CAREER Ines Ngono
28 4 QUESTIONS TO Randy SOGAN
INSPIR’ NEWS O.S.E.R. L’Afrique is moving again. Since February 16, Babette Kizonzolo is the new chair of the association. Originally from Congo, Miss Kizonzolo takes the place of Jonathan Jacques Nyemb and will hold this position for 3 years. However, that’s not all! In order to expand its team and broaden its scope, OSER l’Afrique is organizing a recruitment day. If you are interested, you can attend the recruitment event that will be held in March 2 les le 2 Mars between 2pm and 5pm at café Carpe Diem, 21 rue des Halles 75001 (Métro Les Halles ou Chatelet).
It’s official! AJEC (Acronym for Association of Economic Community of Central African’s Youth) will hold the Youth Forum of the CEMAC from April 24 to April 27. Organized in collaboration with the Committee on CEMAC, the forum will debate about the sub-regional integration, and will be held in Brazzaville. During four days, you will have roundtables, networking, discussion workshops, etc ...
The African Business Club launches a new contest : Creation a business for Africa. Among the industries referred by the competition, there are those of agribusiness and health. You have until April 30, 2013 to apply. For more information, do not hesitate to visit the official website of the ABC http://www.africanbusinessclub.org
INSPIR’ FAVORITE
INYE: The New African Tablet The technology field is getting more and more famous on the continent. After Verone Mankou, who designed the way-c, the first African tablet, meet Saheed Adepoju and Anibe Agamah initiate INYE, an android powered tablet PC. Saheed and Anibe met in secondary school in 1998. Their six years’ experience within the software development industry for Saheed and the web development area for Anibe led them to create Encipher Limited in 2010. As Saheed explains “Encipher was created originally to harness both founders’ skills set and make an impact. We however changed strategies when we realized that the mobile internet device would be huge back in 2010”. And their new strategy was successful. In 2012, they launched INYE, a pc tablet specially designed for students. With its 6hour lasting battery as well as its 1ghz dual core processor, INYE allows consumers to have a good internet experience. Today, Saheed believes that their product has also had a positive impact on the Nigerian market by proving that there exists a pathway to building a local brand to interna-
tional awareness. However, Encipher is not only about INYE. In fact, the company also makes it a point to involve local developers in their projects. They usually get emailed requests from local developers. Determining if these developers’ applications are a good fit to their strategy is key. “When they are, we pre-install them on our device.” says Saheed. In terms of the African internet market, Saheed is well aware of its constant growth each year. When they started three years ago, internet did not have the proportion it has today in Africa, “it has grown faster and prices have also dropped considerably.” he adds. Encipher is making a name for itself in Nigeria, Saheed was invited to present at the E-Nigeria last year. An event organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Nigeria with the goal of enhancing Nigeria’s local contents in IT products and services.
Amma O.
INSPIR’ INTERVIEW THE CREATIVE KINGDOM OF
PAUL SIKA
Spontaneous, humble and inspired...these are the three qualities that drew us towards this artist of a new kind. His colorful and drama filled universe attarcted hundreds of people to the Cecile Fakhoury gallery on the 30th of November last year in Abidjan. It is then obvious for us to want to share with our readers our new favorite... Dear readers, let’s discover Paul Sika.
Sainte Justice - At the Heart of Me Inspire Afrika: So who is Mr. Sika ?? Paul Sika: My name is Paul Sika, I’m a photographer and I’m 27 years old. I love world culture and art in all its aspects no matter where it comes from. I love life and I love to live it! That’s it! I.A: Tell us how do you go from being an engineer to being a photographer? P.S: It’s about your call in life that dominates everything. At a certain point, certain passions or talents that you possess call you to put them in use. You have to be attentive and answer this call. I had started my studies in logistics when I saw the trailer of a movie, Matrix 2, which revealed and confirmed my passion for cinema, art, tales and imagery. I preferred to follow that calling, instead of staying in an industry in which I wasn’t necessarily going to be happy. I.A: Why did you decide to go back to Abidjan when you had been accepted in the London School of communication? P.S: It was the same process as my decision to change my educational orientation. A calling. I had to do it because I felt that I had to do it without really knowing why. When we learn to feel things, a form of intelligence emerges, it is deeper than the logical reflection that we learn in school. I.A: Your work is between photography and painting. Can you explain your technic? P.S: It is influenced by cinema and tales. Everything that I produce is first imagined as a story that is separated into mini steps that are then put on display and then photographed. After photographing, there is a numerical type of painting that is set in place. The « traditional » picture and the numerical painting that follows are inseparable from
my work today. I.A: In terms of your work, how do you get to the notion of mixing photography and painting? It’s quite a unique idea! P.S: Initially I didn’t really look to mix the two arts, contrary to what people may think. It was the search for beauty that led me to proceed in such a way. I already knew how to envision my work : I wanted to photographer them but make them cinematic. I wanted to recreate a story, a movement. I wanted people to get the impression that they are at the cinema when they saw my work. I.A: Your paintings all tell a story. What is the story of « At the heart of me »? P.S: «At the heart of me », captures the 14th of February. It’s the story of a young girl full of virtue, who is in search for th love of her life. She is full of uncertainty, because she is waiting for the right one. The one who is in accordance with her values. I.A: In the photo « Sainte Justice », she poses with weapons. What do weapons have to do with love ? P.S: Sainte justice is the link with the evaluation of actions that human beings go through. It’s a sort of grand judgement. On the photo there are symboles of justice : the scale, men representing policemen and order. There is a confrontation between the justice of man and the justice of life, the saint of justice. The latter weighs and directs human justice. You can also see money on the photo, a representation of corruption. The weapons are only a technological adaptation in the space of time. Before justice was represented with a sword, today it is represented by weapons.
L’appel de Lilian - Lilian’s Appeal I.A: Tell us about Lilian’s Appeal.. P.S: It is one of the titles in my new collection. Lilian is the character with the golden skin that you see with an instrument lying next to him. But before telling you the story of Lilian, I would like to share some fundamentals with you. The first fundamental is the notion of « Yelen » «Yelen is what maintains and regulates all things, from the biggest to the smallest. It is an entity that organizes the functionalities of the world and its species. The second notion is « Paisley » (read peile ). The Yelenists, called Yelenists because they aspire to be « Paisley », define Paisley as this: «it is what is most beautiful in the world, it is when we have the right about of everything». So the main characters of the expositions are the Yelenists, striving to attain the Paisley. « The calling of Lilian » is the last of a seven series story in this new collection: Marmite Mousso, Mami Momi, La barbe D’Alphabet, Dandelia, Puneu Puneu and Mister Tout-mignon. To understand Lilian’s story fully, you have to understand her link with the first story, the story of Marmite Moussa. Marmite Moussa is young woman who’s people was hit by a sudden famine and poverty. Remembering past « Yelenists » ( seen in the previous collections), she decides to also attain « Paisley » in order to find a solution for her people. However in this world th more we approach « Paisley » the more we are changed. Some changes are subtle, some are not. That is the case of the appearance of the Marmite on the body of the young woman. These transformations involve the personality and the profound aspirations of the Yelenist. Marmite Mousso was a passionate cook. The character next to Marmite Mousso is called Mousse Man. He will eventually realize that with time th presence
of the young Yelenist transforms certain rocks into precious stones. This involves the subtle transformation of Marmite Mousso during her journey to Paisley. So Mousse man will cling to the young woman in the hopes of becoming rich himself. This first story is the basis of the universe in which this collection evolves. Coming back to Lilian, he is a royal Yelenist. Royal because he was able to reach Paisley. His calling is linked to his attachment to Yelenist royalty; the calling simply represents the process that takes place to pull a person towards Paisley. I.A: What a passionate tale, so the question on our minds now is what inspires you ? P.S: Life and it’s general functions. Contrary to many, it s not necessarily big names in photography that inspire me. Of course I know a few classics like Lachapelle or Jean Paul Gaud, but my inspiration really comes from many things that surround me. I was also particularly inspired by cinema. As I explained, the tipping point for me was really the movie The Matrix. But there is also African theater, asian animés, african animés, like the famous Kimbo and of course video games (Soul Calibar, Mortal Kombat, Zelda, Mario, etc) I was a huge fan of these games and still am. I.A: When will your next exposition take place ? P.S: I don ‘t know yet. The previous exposition was such a success, that it may have to make a come back. We are tryng to see how we can make that happen.
Interview made by Joan Y.
Adala - At The Heart of Me
Asita - At The Heart of Me
At The Heart of Me - At The Heart of Me
Mami Momi - Lilian’s Appeal
Marmite Mousso - Lilian’s Appeal
Mister Tout Mignon - Lilian’s Appeal
O.S.E.R. L’ AFRIQUE
GO BACK AND WORK IN AFRICA WITH CAREERS IN AFRICA Going back and working in Africa is highly possible. Created 11 years ago by Rupert Adcock, Global Career Company is a consulting agency recruiting for companies in the developing world. With over six recruiting summits organized internationally, Global Career Company is a leader in recruiting events on the African continent through the lead event: Careers in Africa.
professionals.
A careers in Africa event is not only about recruiting but is also a chance to discover. In just one weekend, candidates can explore the projects of associations directed by young Africans. During the next edition that will be held in Paris from the 12th to the 14th of April, candidates will have the chance to participate in a round-table event organized Careers in Africa is the unmissable event for by the organization O.S.E.R l’Afrique. multi-national companies who want to recruit in Africa. Companies that have recruited at If you are missing the Paris event, there are these events are of the likes of IBM, Total, Chev- six others that will take place during this year ron, Ericsson, Philips, Henkel, Alios Finance : and Nestle. The exciting thing about the Ca- -Lisbon : 10th to 12th May 2013 reers in Africa events is that there is always one -London : 17th to 19th May 2013 happening close by. This year six strategic cities -Sao Paulo : 20th to 22nd September 2013 have been chosen to host the event: Paris, Lon- -Johanesburg: 1st to 3 November 2013 don, Sao Paulo, Houston and Johannesburg. -Houston : 22nd to 24th November 2013 The positions recruited for are just as much for young graduates as well as experienced Karl N.
INSPIR’ CAREER
INES NGONO «WOMAN, HER SHAPES AND COLORS » After her day at the mariage conference last saturday, Ines sat down with us for a moment to answer a few questions. The young stylist’s signature is emphasising WOMAN, no matter her identity. She explains her journey, her relations to the African continent and the difficulties of the job of a designer.
My passion for Fashion I think creating is a gift I received from my parents. From a young age I loved to draw. My Father drew as well. My Mom had always been passionate about decorating, so I guess you could say that I grew up bathed in this. I have always wanted to be a designer, I even contacted AMINA magazine when I arrived in France to know what were the required qualifications to become one. I met a woman there that gave me great advice, that I also always give when I have the chance, she adviced that I continue my studies while creating fashion on the side because there aren’t a lot of career paths in the industry. It is a very tight industry, so I forced myself to finish my studies, encouraged by my mother, for whom there was no way I was going to drop out. The beginning of the INESKA adventure It all began in my second year of university, one day I created a dress with a mix of African and occidental prints. I also created earrings to match the outfit and went out like that. Oddly enough, people seemed intrigued by the dress, it was a hit. After this, I decided it would be a good idea to start a mini-collection of clothes. Supported by a seamstress and a friend, I created a collection of five items. One day I brought a suitcase with the articles to school and a friend opened it and took out an item. Our teacher demanded what we were doing. I instinctively hid the item back in the case but my teacher wanted to know what I was hiding. When she saw the items, she suggested that I do a fashion show at the school and offered me an intenship as communications manager. For a month, I worked at the internship, while preparing for my first fashion show. I created the invitations myself and put up posters at school and on the streets at bus stops...etc This teacher really gave me the guts to take the leap.
My collaboration with BRANCHINI FERIER House of fashion My encounter with Mr. Fabien Debuchy the director of the House was very unexpected. I knew just one person that fabricated and sold accessories in silk in Lyon. We met a year ago and I told him about my creative project and this person got me in touch with the House. So I was able to discuss my project with Mr. Debuchy who liked it instantly. We created a partnership there and then ; he helped me select materials and provided me with cloths and sponsored the event. I took care of orgenizing the event and any arising issues. The « Blue » collection You are right to underline the fact that my collection is very « blue ». When you start a fashion line collection, you work by color or style. At first I used a lot of Afican print cloths in my collection and then I realised the result was not always harmonised. However, one of the basic rules in creating clothes is harmony in colors. I chose blue as a fetish because it is a color I really like. I think blue fits all types of skin colors. It is a color that remains sober but can also be
very lively at the same time. It was only later that I learnt that blue was the in color last winter. My Inspiration I get inspired by everything I see but primarily by my culture which is what I try to imprint in everything I create. I also get inspired by geometrical shapes, my sketches often involve triangles or circles. I am inspired by Woman, her shape that I try to put forward and embellish. When I chose my materials, I question whether it will suit all types of women whatever thier shape or color. I’m inspired by anything that triggers in me the desire to create. A place for Africa in my creations Contrary to a lot of Africans that got to Europe as adults, I did not as they say : « leave all of my heart in Africa ». Still , Africa is my continent, Cameroon remains the country of my ancestors and my origins are there. I don’t forget that, that is why when I create I try to make it a recurring theme in the small details. It is important I take pride in my roots, even in the most subtle ways. It’s just like they say : far from sight but close to the heart.
A possible fashion show in Africa For now it would be wildly ambitious to organise a fashion show in Africa because I haven’t yet finished what I want to do here. If the brand grows, I would love for it to berepresented in Africa. I havent’t given this enough thought yet because I am looking to develop the brand in Europe first nd the rest will follow.
For wax and african print to make a lasting impression in the fashion world, African designers need to be able to present it in a more modernised fashion but most importantly that people eventually wear wax just as they would wer any type of clothing without the impression of being disguised or original. My advice When we wish to create or take on an endeavor, we need to be passionate about what we want to do. A lot of people get into the fashion world thinking they will become famous and make tons of money. NO. No one should jump in expecting to make tons of money, at least not in the beginning. It should be done out of love and passion because it is extremely hard to make a name for oneself in this industry. Never give up. Especially when faced with discriminations. That is also the reality of the business. Your skin color will have more of an influence than your work sometimes. But you have to learn how to use it as a weapon and do MORE than others. The good side of thing, is that by doing more, you are more likely to get noticed in the industry. You have to make your own path, go in head strong ! You have to know what you want, define your priorities, remain open and determined !
My opinion on the African Wax trend My brother said it right : « African print is an illusion of fashion » Creating is not limited to a cloth but rather what we make it into. Creating with Afrucan print is not really creating in the sense that what counts is giving the creation a beautiful shape. There is a whole process to be considered. People are using African print right now because it is not yet totally integrated in European culture so temporarily creating with wax is seen as something that is innovative. However, that is not truly the case. Also many designers do not know what to create anymore so they look for unique cloths to use in the name of innovation. Personally, African print is not the basis of my creations, that is why you won’t find it on every single one of my items. I base this on the principle that a woman no mtter her identity, should be able to find herself when she wears my creations. She should Find INESKA créations for a runway 18 March 2013, wear it and think I am wearing a creation, not I am Place de la Bourse (Lyon). For more information www. wearing an AFRICAN creation. ineskacreations.com
Miss Afrique Montréal: << When our Roots grow wings...>> F O C U L T U R E
It is the most important event of the year in Canada. Taking place in the most cosmopolitan city of Canada : Montreal. In just three short years it has become the unmissable event for the African Diaspora of the country. That’s right, we are talking about Miss Africa Montreal. GLORIFY THE AFRICAN As you may have guessed by the name, Miss Africa Montreal is a beauty contest with the aim of highlighting African culture in the city of Montreal. The elected winner has to be a modern woman attached to her African roots, she will represent and be the ambassador of the African Diaspora in the city of Montreal for a year. The theme chosen for 2013 clearly represents this value : « when your roots grow wings », it is a manisfestation of the fact that despite being away from home, the african values of the Diaspora allows it to accomplish great things.
Mr. Doro Saiz, one of the coordinators of the event stated : « Miss Africa Montreal is an adventure that begins in September and ends in Febuary ». Supervised by Djene Diakite and Charlotte Beye, the 13 candidates are called to learn to live together and see each other every weekend for 6 months. During this time, they also attend the Acadamy of Miss Africa Montreal where they attend classes taught by teachers of the likes of Tassi Kissele, Herman Ngoudjo and Sarah Desamours. Their schedule includes sports, dancing, walks and public discourse classes. But there is more. With the journalist Khady Beye, the candidates : Aissatou, Anais, Anne-Merveille, Aminata, Arlette, Awa, Bilkis, Babeth, Cora, Flore, Imane,
Nehema and Ness are able to reflect and debate amongst themselves about the theme of the event. This workshop allows them to prepare for the questions they will be asked during the event.
gown. At their last appearance, the candidates will answer questions that will be asked by the jury. In addition to the election of Miss, spectators will enjoy a spectacular show that will combine fashion, comedy, dance, song and poetry. However, as Mr. Coulibaly, the origiUMFAZI: Celebrate African Women nator of the concept, “The gala UMFAZI is above all a celebration of the woman who is The program of Miss Africa Montreal 2013 is the pillar of fire in our African cultures. It is a rich and diverse. tribute to women, femininity, and our mother earth.” On February 23, people living in Montreal are expected to attend the gala which will be host by Eric M’BOUA. The gala, named UMFAZI, which means “woman” in Swahili, is articulated around four apparitions of the candidates. Firstly, candidates will appear in traditional dress. The parade will be followed by the “talent show” during which each candidate will have the opportunity to express herself in a chosen field. She can choose between dancing, singing, poetry, comedy or otherwise. Chrys N. Then they will wear outfits designed by Dasha Nicoué for parades in swimsuit and evening
INSPIR’ startup
THIS IS AFROMANIA ! E-commerce is slowly but surely trying to find its place on the continent. After Wontanara, here is Afromania, an online shop which offers more than a million products all complying with the European standards. Everything started when Thierry Kientega met Florimond Labulle at a conference on entrepreneurship. They both created this platform which is already a leader in the sector of the e-commerce In Africa.
Inspire Afrika: Can you please introduce yourself to our readers? Thierry Kientega: My name is Thierry Kientega. I am a native of Burkina Faso, and I’m 29 years old. I’m the co-founder of Afromania group, which has its head office in Paris and subsidiaries in Burkina Faso and in Senegal. I am also an engineer in telecommunication. IA: Tell us more about Afromania. TK: Afromania is a concept rather special for Africa. It’s an e-commerce created by my partner Florimond and I. The idea of our platform comes from an observation we made about the African market. There existes little E-Commerce in Africa. Few of them have neither payment systems that are secure and innovative nor competent after-sales services. In addition to this, we noticed that Africans traveling to Europe come back home with European products. So we asked ourselves: why don’t we create the biggest e-commerce website for the African market? This is how Afromania was born. On our platform, we offer hundreds of thousands of new and guaranteed products ready to be exported in Senegal and Burkina Faso in 7 days. Our target
market is the upper middle class, which represents approximately 200 million of potential consumers in Africa. However, all African countries will not be served before five years. IA: What are Afromania’s specificities? TK: First of all we have European Suppliers and we deliver our products in Africa. There are very few companies which make it mostly because of logistical issues. Secondly, thanks to our partners, all our products comply with European standards in terms of quality and safety. Thirdly, on Afromania you find any kind of products going from salt to champagne as well as cloths or children’s games. The quality of our products is certain and we have not experienced product return yet. Our comparative advantage is our almost unbeatable delivery deadlines since we deliver in only 7 days. Furthermore, due to the use of mobile phones being more and more spread in Africa, we integrated means of payment via mobiles. Finally we offer a home delivery service in 5 cities in Burkina Faso as well as in Senegal. You can also be delivered in one of our e-shops in Senegal and in Burkina Faso.
I.A: What is so special about your e-shops? T.K: It is a common knowledge that in Africa everybody doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have access to internet. We thus created e-shops where there are no products store but rather computers and tactile borders connected to high-speed internet. Helped by our customer associated, the client can command his products on the spot. You can contact our customer service at any time after your command to track your package. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to have these spaces because it increases the trust of our customers. In fact, the client realizes that even if the business is on the internet, there is a physical place where he can have more information. I.A: What your partnership with Florimond brought you? T.K: We initiated the project together and Florimond is the one who is the least bias between us two. I know Africa a little more than he does. Furthermore we have different fields of expertise. Florimond is an expert in organization and management, while my activities are more related to new technologies and Finance. He is aware that Africa has a big potential. We complete each other. IA: The products you offer are not necessarily in the buying habits of the African market, who then are your main clients? People from the Diaspora or local buyers? TK: We count more on local buyers than on the diaspora to constitute our client base. Even if Internet is not equally spread on the continent, its evolution is not negligible. In Burkina Faso for instance, there were only 250.000 internet users one year ago. Today, they are approximately 520,000, which represent an increase of 100%. In Senegal, they are more than 2 million. On the other hand, the num-
ber of people working in the private sector or in the moved back zones gives us an advantage since the latter do not always have time to do their groceries. With Afromania, they have access to good quality products at a lesser price than the one proposed by local supermarkets. Furthermore they have the confidence that they will find what they look for on our platform, anytime, everyday; which is not always the case when they go to a supermarket. IA: How many employees do you have on the continent? TK: In Burkina Faso we have three full-time employees and we also have partnerships with transit companies. We will be recruiting ten new sales representatives in the next few weeks, which will carry our number of employees to 13. In Senegal, we have a national director and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be recruiting two more people. We will therefore begin work with three people. We also have a partnership with Speedmail which takes care of deliveries in the five cities we are in Senegal. In March, we will also be recruiting 5 sales representatives in Dakar. IA: What are you long-term goals? T.K: We are actually implanted in Senegal and in Burkina Faso. This year, we also plan to spread our activities to Gabon and in Ivory-Coast. In 5 to 10 years, we want to be the Amazon of Africa, to be able to deliver in thirty countries and to reach a mass delivery of 200.000 products a day. Interview made by Karl N.
INSPIRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; THOUGHTS
Tiburce Igbaowo Chaffa is a social entrepreneur focused on youth empowerment and information technology. He is a drop-out of the University of Ghana, where he studied Political Science and Sociology. After working for the biggest IT Company in India he started his own IT business in 2012. Tiburce is a Youth Advisory Group member of the Global Youth Innovation Network and serves as support for the United Nations Academic Impact and a One Young World ambassador
WE WILL ONLY MAKE IT TOGETHER Dear fellows, Have you ever imagined what Africa will be in few years? Have you think about the role you have to play for a change to happen?
sive corruption coupled with bad governance. This is true. Studies show that about 50% of the African population is between 16 and 24 years old. The same studies also highlighted that for out of six of the latter are unemployed. It is clear that our leaders have failed Before you answer this question, let me tell you a little up to now. They did lack a clear vision for growth and story as a foundational illustration. In Africa we talk sustainability. They still underestimate the contribua lot about leadership and how we need good leaders tion young people can make to the Gross Domestic to make change happen on the continent. As you read Product of each of our nations. No governments on its this short story imagine the scenario like a movie and own can provide jobs opportunities to the millions of letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s set lessons from it. young graduates that our universities produce every year. Saturday afternoon I was at a party with friends. Suddenly the power went out and the music stopped. However, in a collaborative participation, we at Global Quickly the party began to be boring and few people Youth Innovation Network, believe that young people started to leave. Suddenly Kofi jumped in the middle have a key role to play in the development process and and started to step to the right and to the left. His in- can boost our economic growth by engaging more in tention was to bring back the fun atmosphere in the politics, and start up small business. room. He had guts to stand out and was ridiculed. Few minutes later, Kofi was joined by Jerry who start- My various experiences with young people from all ed copying the same steps and dance. Kofi shows Jerry over the world have challenged my worldview and how to step right and both started dancing. It is not mold my self-centered and individualistic personality about Kofi anymore it is about them. Then Assiba joins into a diplomatic and team oriented person. If Africa both Kofi and Jerry. It is not one nut or two nuts any- wants to be what everyone is hoping in 50 years, it will more. It is three nuts and they began to form a crowd. only be because we came together, understood each Few seconds later two more people joined and im- other, refused to focus on our differences but built on mediately after three more people. This is the tipping everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skills and assets. It will be because we will point. As more people joined the movement, Kofi was share a common vision for our continent. no more ridiculous. Those sitting on the fence before now have no reason not to move. They will be part Most often in our quest to be great leaders, we easof the in-crowd if they hurry. Over the next minutes ily forget the cause we are fighting for, underestimate those who stayed on the bench will eventually be ridi- the ideas of those who do not think like us and focus culed for not joining the crowd. too much on ourselves. First of all, if you are the type of the first dancing guy, Kofi, who is standing alone, This is exactly what happens to leaders: they stand out remember the importance of nurturing your first few when no one wants to. The first follower is what trans- followers as equals. It is clearly about the movement forms a lone nut into a leader. I believe that Jerry as and not about you. The biggest lesson is that leada first follower has demonstrated an underestimated ership is over glorified. We know the first guy who form of leadership. In fact, it takes a leader to recog- stood out will get all the credit but really it is the first nize a leader. When Assiba join both, Kofi and Jerry, followers who transform the lone nut into a leader. If we realize that change must be public. It is important you really care about making change happen, have the not just to show the leader but also the followers, be- courage to follow and show others how to follow. cause you find out that new followers emulate the fol- When you find the lone nut doing something great lowers not the leader. The more Kofi has followers, the have the guts to be the first one to stand up, the first to more the atmosphere changes. This is exactly how we support and to join. And guess what the perfect place should come together, by following those who bring to apply this advice is? AFRICA. change. Public opinion supports that the poor conditions of Tiburce Chaffa - Global Youth Innovation Netyoung people on the continent are the results of a mas- work
4 Questions To...
PRIORITIZING THE EDUCATION OF THE YOUTH
It is important to provide students in public schools with the right structure for their education. That’s exactly RANDY SOGAN KOUSSOU’s mission, he’s a young panafricanist with diverse roots. He is from Benin, Togo and Libnon. After working 8 years in the communication and information industry, Randy decided in 2010 to turn towarsds finance and investment by creating BLACK LION HOLDING, an investment fund. Throughout his many trips in Africa, he developed a passion for education and decided to create the CHID OF THE UNIVERSE PROJECT. 1-Please introduce yourself to our readers Child of the Universe Project is a philanthropical public-private partenership with the goal of reducing the lack of infrastucture in the public education sector. There are 600 000 public schools in Africa with 80% of them lacking serious and solid infrastructures. Buildings are often damaged, students have no access to water or electricity sometimes. The project has no intention of resolving isolated problems, it will focus on creating a new vsion and a new generation of public schools which will be ecological and have access to technology. Ecological because the materials that will be used to build the schools will be from local production. An access to technology via internet because today everything happens on the internet and schools with
internet will allow for a better educaton of the kids. We also want to change the conditions of the areas around the schools by creating health centers, dormitories for students who live far from school. 2-What are the various steps being taken for the project ? Firstly, we are identifying the areas where the project is necessary. It will all begin in West Africa with Ghana, where we will establish the pilot project. The second step will be financing. We are talking about restoring over half a million schools so that requires a lot of money. The money needed for the project will be raised in different ways :
first through auto-financing via black lion holding. Then we will create partnerships with non profit oraganisations and multi-national companies who have the sort of budget we need for this type of humanitarian project. We will also organise fund raising events such as concerts ; while using social networks via partnerships with brands and artists.
tant is to do anything so people become aware that there is a problem and we can all act for change. We are putting in place a communication strategy and public relations so this project will be known even if it is still quite young. People must be aware that this project is firstly pan-african even if it is not government initiated. Before people wanted to solve problems one at a time whereas Child of the Universe looks to solve as many at onces. The 3-Tell us as about the test project. project needs to be known in order to attract difTo start this test project we chose the Foundation ferent investors and become become reality. Baptist School in Agbozume in the south of Ghana. This school is highly dammaged and is currently in a building that is not supposed to house a school. Instead of destroying these buildings to renovate them, we decided to buy land and build a school from scratch. We recently bought the land and we are drawing itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contours. A team of architects, the team leader being Romarick Atoke, has been put in place in order to elaborate the plans. Interview made by Chrys N. As soon as the plans are done, we would need six weeks to build the school. 4-How can we help you with this project ? We are open to any suggestions. The most impor-
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