Dangote named Grand Patron of Global Entrepreneurship Festival

President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has been appointed Grand Patron of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF), with the business mogul stressing the importance of connections and collaboration in creating opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Dangote received the certificate of appointment during a visit by the festival’s board to him, where he said his new role would provide an opportunity to connect entrepreneurs and businesses across Africa and other parts of the world.

Dangote highlights power of business connections

Speaking after receiving the certificate, Dangote said the major benefit of his appointment was the opportunity to bring entrepreneurs together and explore areas where businesses could collaborate.

“The main benefit of this is actually the connection. It is about connecting, merging and seeing what people can do together,” he said.

He added that the platform would bring together people from North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and other countries, creating opportunities for them to interact and explore possible partnerships.

Dangote also expressed his appreciation for the appointment, saying he was ready to contribute to the initiative.

“It is a great pleasure to receive this award, and I promise I will do my best,” he said.

GEF board explains Dangote’s appointment

The certificate was formally presented to Dangote by a delegation led by the President of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival, Dr Summy Smart Francis.

Francis said Dangote’s experience in building businesses and investing across different sectors of the African economy would add value to the global entrepreneurship platform.

He said the appointment was made on behalf of the GEF Board, chaired by Mr Dan Vatovic in Colorado, United States.

According to Francis, Dangote’s involvement would strengthen the festival’s efforts to connect entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders and institutions while creating opportunities for enterprise development.

Also speaking during the engagement, GEF Vice Chairman, Dr Elizabeth Jack-Rich, highlighted the importance of mentorship in supporting entrepreneurs.

Jack-Rich said her experience as a mentee had contributed significantly to her growth and motivated her to support the expansion of mentorship opportunities to more entrepreneurs.

“For me, as a mentee, I have seen tremendous growth since I joined the mentorship programme. That was why I reached out to extend such mentorship to millions of entrepreneurs out there, and I am so grateful for its acceptance,” she said.

Global entrepreneurship festival set for Cairo

The 2026 edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival is scheduled to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from November 6 to 8.

The event is expected to bring together entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, innovators, policymakers and other stakeholders from different parts of the world.

It will provide opportunities for networking, business collaboration, investment discussions and engagement between entrepreneurs and institutions across Africa and beyond.

Dangote’s appointment as Grand Patron comes as the festival prepares to convene participants from different regions, with the organisers seeking to strengthen connections and promote enterprise development through cross-border collaboration.