Fifteen

Issue date: 5/17/07 Section: MIT Sloan News

With 900 million potential consumers and an emerging middle class, Africa is the next large emerging economy. Before 2007 there was a gap in the MIT Sloan community in addressing this area. But all that has changed…

“We launched the MIT Sloan Africa Business Club to enhance the experience of our peers and that of the rest of the MIT Sloan community through Africa-focused events and activities,” says Ola Olaniyi ‘08, President of the newly-founded African Business Club. By showcasing Africa to the MIT Sloan community, we hope to show that “there is a lot more to Africa than wars, famine and political unrests,” notes Ayo Alaran ’08. It is being primed to become a hot bed for entrepreneurship and innovation. The club founders are thrilled to finally be able to share the richness of the African culture with classmates. For the founders, it is, as Victor Coker’08 describes, “seeing a dream come to fruition - talented young professionals interested in the development of my continent."

During its first six-weeks of existence, the club laid the groundwork for a strong start. We are fortunate to have a core team dedicated to executing the club’s objectives. The MIT Sloan Africa Business Club has obtained the support of two key advisors, Joost Bonsen and Professor Tavneet Suri, a Development Economist with a focus on Africa.

On May 3, 2007 the club was officially launched within the community at an event that shared some of the club’s enthusiasm for upcoming events, in particular, plans for a trek to East, West or South Africa (or all three!). Professor Suri provided a stimulating illustration of the potential for innovation and growth in Africa. She concluded with the powerful question by asking not “Why Africa?,” but “Why NOT Africa?"

During the launch the club also screened “Africa Open for Business,” a documentary that follows stories of ten successful entrepreneurs in ten different African countries.

Other upcoming events include a Career / Business School MIT Sloan Graduate Panel for undergraduates affiliated with the MIT African Students’ Association. This panel is a forum for MIT Sloan students to share their professional and personal experiences with undergraduate students in order to provide guidance and foster leadership. Plans are also in top gear for the first Innovate Africa Conference – a conference dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation as drivers of economic development across the African continent.
 
Africa Business Club’s Mission:
The MIT Sloan Africa Business Club is an all-inclusive organization that strives to increase awareness of African business and cultural climate within and beyond the MIT Sloan community. The club is open to all persons affiliated with MIT Sloan with an interest in Africa.

The club is committed to:

• promoting discussion of economic and social issues in Africa,
• providing an avenue for students interested in careers in Africa to interact with potential employers and other like-minded students,
• encouraging MIT Sloan to seek out more students from Africa, and
• strengthening ties among students, alumni, and African business professionals

We hope you are ready to embark on this journey with us. You may reach the leadership team at africanbcofficers@sloan.mit.edu.

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