The Commonwealth Secretariat is bringing together young entrepreneurs from across West Africa with the intent of setting up a new regional youth alliance, writes Timi Olagunju, a young Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria. From October 25-27, 2016, young entrepreneurs from the Commonwealth countries of Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone gathered in Lagos, Nigeria, …

Young entrepreneurs in West Africa collaborate to re-define the African story Read More »

The Commonwealth Secretariat is bringing together young entrepreneurs from across West Africa with the intent of setting up a new regional youth alliance, writes Rebecca Olorunisola, a young Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria. I was privileged to be at the Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs-West Africa visioning workshop on youth entrepreneurship. Young entrepreneurs from …

Entrepreneurial success stories of three West African youths Read More »

From October 21 to 26, 2016, the Commonwealth Asia Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs (CAYE-Asia), under the direction of President Shaban Khalid and his team, led the first trade mission of young entrepreneurs to China, with the aim of establishing an exchange of knowledge and opportunities, and consolidating its partnership with China, a major trading partner in …

Commonwealth youth entrepreneurs in Asia lead first trade mission to China Read More »

As countries prepare to celebrate Christmas, Kelechukwu Iruoma, 23, a Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, writes that economic hardship is taking the joy out of the season in Nigeria. But as prices skyrocket and unemployment increases, a conference tells youths that creativity can be the solution to the nation’s recession. Some entrepreneurs have admonished Nigerians to stop …

“Creativity will boost economic development” Read More »

Some high-flying social enterprises in Ghana have been given business development support by the British Council Ghana, writes Michael Gyekye, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Ghana, as he takes a look at two enterprises that recently won top awards. The British Council’s Global Social Enterprise Programme, which draws on the UK’s expertise to support the …

“Investing in success with social enterprises” Read More »

The Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs (CAYE)-Southern Africa partnered with the Youth to Youth Empowerment Network and Invest in Youth Initiative to hold the “I am an Entrepreneur” event in Mzuzu, Malawi, on 16 January 2016. The aim of the conference was to provide knowledge to small and medium-scale business owners, as well as prospective entrepreneurs, about the legal process of …

Commonwealth Youth Network partners to host “I am an Entrepreneur” conference Read More »

 An educator and social entrepreneur is helping solve Nigeria’s major challenge by training young people, especially girls, who are abused because of poverty. Sola Abe, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, interviewed this mentor, who teaches the culture of entrepreneurship and provides seed capital. Ogechukwu Ezeokoli is an educator, social entrepreneur and founder of Teens Economic and …

“This woman helps students start businesses” Read More »

Micro-financing is often heralded as a path out of poverty for maginalised groups, but Swapnil Mishra, 21, a Correspondent from India and currently studying in the U.S., examines the numbers and outlines the limitations that must be considered. A poor family lives on less than $2 a day, and the family seeks for financial predictability like …

“A case study on micro-finance” Read More »

Demonstrations in Cameroon over language tensions are getting little international attention, writes Kenneth Gyamerah, 26, a Correspondent from Kumasi in Ghana, who describes how the political situation has created hardship for students and young professionals. Cameroon is a country in West Africa with more than 240 ethnic groups. This makes the country very strong and rich …

“Entrepreneurs have become digital refugees” Read More »

Alphonse Akouyu, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Cameroon, writes that entrepreneurship has long been considered to be ‘a man’s game’. But that perception is changing – fast. Recently, he had the opportunity to talk to Cameroonian women, young and old, about what the it is has been like to try to break through the entrepreneurial …

“Cameroonian women show innovative ideas not limited by gender” Read More »