The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), are working together to prepare and mobilize the next generation of entrepreneurs in Africa. This was unveiled today afternoon at the virtual launch of the Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) in Africa. During the launch, the hosts for the first four hubs in Aftrica (Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, and Nigeria) were introduced.

The CoE is an initiative co-led with local partners to foster development skills of young people who face uncertain employment prospects alongside helping catalyze local entrepreneurship and the jobs of the future. The Hub is an enabler for individual citizens to build meaningful livelihoods and to ensure they do this in a functioning market economy.

In his address during the launch, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI) President Mr. Richard Ngatia expressed that it is an honor for the Kenya Chamber of Commerce to be a member of the ICC and the private sector partner to bring this vision to life by hosting the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship Hub for East and Central Africa region.

“We are pleased to host the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship Hub for East and Central Africa region. This region extensively covers the Africa Great Lakes Region of 12 member states, which I chair the Private Sector Forum, said Mr.Ngatia.

He also stated that the launch of the continental hub reflects the aspirations of Africa’s Agenda 2063 that is expected to transform Africa into a global powerhouse that Africans want and deserve, and therefore acknowledged that entrepreneurship must be at the heart of Africa’s economic transformation.

“We extend warm congratulations to the establishment of the Centre and glad that ICC and UNECA are establishing their new center in Nairobi, joining a worldwide network of other ICC enterprise centers globally”. Expressed the Chamber boss.

“We are thankful that the ICC Centre of innovation is now expanding its presence in the African region, to prepare and mobilize the next generation of entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurship hub will enhance development of skills for young people who face uncertain employment prospects and boost local entrepreneurship and future job opportunities”, he added.

He therefore concluded that setting up of the hub is an important milestone and initiative, aiming to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions, building new capabilities and drive digital innovations for the region to be future-ready for intra trade.

The Centre of Entrepreneurship will not only enable individual citizens to build meaningful livelihoods but also ensure they do this in a functioning market economy.

Additionally, the Centre will serve as a platform to scale globally the most successful local and regional entrepreneurial initiatives driven by Chambers of Commerce and Innovative partners. This will leverage on digital connectivity to pair entrepreneurs with experts from the UN and ICC’s global network to provide virtual mentoring and coaching.