The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s African Markets Internship Programme gives global students a taste of Africa

The great thing about Nigeria, and the rest of Africa, is that there is tremendous opportunity—opportunity for work, for business, and for entrepreneurship. In the last decade, the continent has experienced a quantum leap as the rise of comparatively good governance, investment and strong business leadership has made the continent a more attractive place to invest. It is the new frontier for investors, and every day, new businesses spring up.

Tony Elumelu

This rapid change is coming at a time of realisation that Africa is unique. Superimposing business leadership models that have worked in other countries can be difficult, as different social and government contexts create a unique business milieu.
As African businesses begin to take their place on the world stage, it has become crucial to have homegrown leaders and policy advisors who are able to combine solid learning with home experience. Moreover, this has led to an increase in business schools created in and for the African market, and international business and policy institutions looking for opportunities for their students to participate in immersive learning programmes and getting a rich African experience.

This is where the African Markets Internship Programme (AMIP) comes in. Created by The Tony Elumelu Foundation(TEF) as its flagship programme for its commitment to African business leadership and launched in 2011, it is an initiative that is aimed at MBA candidates and graduates as well as those studying in postgraduate programmes in Policy and Governance. The 10-week internship attracts students from all over the globe enrolled at some of the finest institutions in the world. From Lagos Business School in Nigeria, to the University of Cape Town Business School, to IESE in Spain, to the University of London, to top American programmes such as the Harvard Kennedy School and the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. The emphasis is providing students hands-on experience in some of the continent’s most exciting workplaces. Its goal is to foster African business leaders and entrepreneurs by exposing them to fast-growing, exemplary businesses on the continent, and to develop potential non-African partners that understandwhat Africa is about.

In 2011, the AMIP associates were privileged to be part of two strategy sessions helmed by Professor Michael E. Porter, Harvard Business School professor and founding patron of TEF who is recognised as the most influential thinker on management and competitiveness. This year, the second AMIP cohort is set to graduate next weekend, coinciding with TEF’s 4th Advisory Board meeting. A series of events will be held to mark the occasion, including a lecture by TEF Advisory Board member and Kenyan agribusinessentrepreneur Vimal Shah, titled “Building a Great AfricanAgribusiness”, as well as an exclusive career fair organisedfor the graduating AMIP associates.

TEF will start accepting applications for AMIP 2013 in October 2012.

To learn more, please visit: www.tonyelumelufoundation.org

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