Another Milestone!

Dearly Esteemed Entrepreneur,

It’s been five years, today, since the vision of ONE Foundation started and we are so excited! Who would have thought that what started as a business development session gathering just 12 entrepreneurs on May 5, 2018, has grown into an organization that has impacted over 3000 entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs across different countries. Truly, you can start small and grow big.

Our vision is yet clear and undaunting and we are moving on over the years ahead because we know and are sure that our target audience (MSMEs and NMSMEs) are the lifeline of national developments globally.

I mean, it is clear to many people than before that micro, small and medium businesses (MSMEs) are the lifeblood of socioeconomic development. In a place like Nigeria, for example, about 75% of employment is generated in the MSME sector. That means 3 out of 4 people who you know have a job in Nigeria today have it because someone started a business. That's to tell you how crucial business growth and sustainability is for the economy.

In 5 years, we have seen the need for youth entrepreneurship to be approached in collaboration of multiple stakeholders. Different stakeholders (Governments, NGOs, Private Sector, Agencies, Academia) have been working in silos. Everyone seems to be doing their own thing. I think academia is even lost in the conversation because most research on MSMES end up on the shelf with ROI being just academic degrees and promotions.

Aside still empowering individual entrepreneurs and businesses, addressing this disjointed work of different stakeholders in youth entrepreneurship is one of our major focuses for the next 5 years. We need more platforms that can provide data-driven insights and platforms that can help multiple stakeholders collaborate to chart a sustainable course for youth entrepreneurship going forward.

This is why to mark our 5th year anniversary, we are hosting a multi-stakeholder symposium on youth entrepreneurship that will bring together people from all those areas (Government, Academia, Agencies like SMEDAN, Private Sector, etc.) and you don’t want to miss it! We have tagged it Nigeria Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium. (N-YES 2023)

It's open to everyone involved in entrepreneurship as a business owner (or aspiring), business development expert or even a general business enthusiast.

It's an hybrid event. But physical attendance, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, is by invitation-only. And who knows, being a member of our community might just give you an added advantage. More details are on the flyer below.

Please note that it’s important to register! Hurry now as I cannot guarantee the registration will be opened for long.

I also send you our anniversary flyer below; do help share it on your social media platforms and let’s make the whole world know ONE Foundation is 5!

Thank you as you do that!

Till I write to you again, do take care of yourself and lest I forget, this is the first time I am writing to you this month so HAPPY NEW MONTH!

Your partner in your business growth,

Tolu from ONE Foundation.