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Developing an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem in Sudan

Mohamed Osman, from Sudan, is a 2019 Tutu Fellow and the General Manager of Inmaa for Poultry and Feed Co. Ltd, a Sudanese/Lebanese investment, and Sudan’s leading semi-integrated poultry operation.

For his Tutu Fellowship Community Project, Mohamed conceptualized Entrepreneurship and Innovation center at Omdurman Ahlia University. The centre would offer an entrepreneurship training programme developed by UNIDO and already successfully launched in numerous countries across the globe. Due to administrative issues related to Omdurman Ahlia University, the programme was shifted to the Ahfad University for Women. The scope of the project was also expanded to encompass a few other training centres with the objective of creating an entrepreneurship ecosystem that would support students with entrepreneurial and technical skills training, and business counselling.

His project is a partnership between some strategic institutions, as follows: (i) Ministry of Labour & Social Development - the Ministry will sponsor and facilitate the development of the ecosystem. The Ministry will facilitate coordination between the centre and the private sector, and will support graduates of the programmes by offering them loan financing opportunities and other resources; (ii) Ahfad University for Women -  Sudan’s leading women’s university where the entrepreneurship centre will be housed. Other academic institutions will be further targeted as the programme is rolled out; (iii) UNIDO -  UNIDO is responsible for delivering training and capacity building to the centre based on its “Enterprise Development & Investment Promotion Modality.” Programme; (iv) The Arab Organization for Agricultural Development will sponsor the programme and finally, (v) Inmaa for Poultry & Feed - As Sudan’s leading poultry operation, Inmaa will provide technical training run by the Inmaa Academy to participants on the entrepreneurship programme.  Other private sector institutions will be targeted to provide technical training on a broader range of vocations, as the programme is rolled out.

In terms of progress, the Training of Trainers (ToT) programme was successfully launched in August 2020 at Ahfad University. The programme was delivered by UNIDO in collaboration with the Arab Organization. The Inmaa Academy which was established in January 2020 has launched a number of industry related technical training and general skills' development courses.  As this project is ongoing, periodic updates on its status will be provided.

Header image - Courtesy Mohamed Osman of his community project

 

 

About AFLI

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The African Leadership Institute (AFLI) focuses on building the capacity and capability of visionary and strategic leadership across the continent. Developing exceptional leaders representing all spheres of society, the Institute’s flagship programme is the prestigious Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship. Offering a multifaceted learning experience and run in partnership with Oxford University, it is awarded annually to 20-25 carefully chosen candidates, nominated from across Africa. Alumni of the African Leadership Institute form a dynamic network of Fellows passionately committed to the continent’s transformation, bridging the divide between nations and ensuring that Africa is set centre-stage in global affairs.