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Why Youth Entrepreneurs Are Key To Tackling Climate Change in Africa By Tony Elumelu

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Tony Elumelu

 

I am a proud Nigerian and a proud African. I am also a philanthropist and entrepreneur—and I have seen firsthand that to effectively tackle climate change within the African context, from Egypt to Nigeria to South Africa, we must look to the people it impacts.

Too often our businesses have not created value on our continent or traded commodities for short-term profit, not long-term investment. Fostering entrepreneurship, sustaining young entrepreneurs, who will grow businesses and create sustainable employment, is a crucial pathway to achieving long-term climate solutions.

In 2010, my wife and I had an idea. Concerned with escalating poverty, we founded the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and committed $100 million to identify, mentor, and fund young African entrepreneurs—young people with brilliant ideas and the drive to tackle the continent’s most pressing challenges. They lacked capital, connections, and mentors. They lacked luck. We wanted to change that. It was a bold bet aimed at empowering Africa’s most vulnerable and populous demographic, encouraging them to create their own wealth, rather than relying on aid. And the bet paid off.

Since its inception, the foundation has empowered 20,000 entrepreneurs across 54 African countries, who have created 400,000 direct and indirect jobs and generated over $2.3 billion in revenue. We have provided access to business training to more than 1.5 million young people.

Given the scale of the task, we partner with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the European Union (EU), and other partners to deepen our reach and impact. We provide funding, mentorship, business training, and advocacy support to entrepreneurs—specifically, in fragile regions, conflict zones, and underserved communities.

Together, we address challenges like youth unemployment, poverty, and insurgency through entrepreneurship. In 2022, we partnered with UNICEF Generation Unlimited (GenU) and IKEA Foundation, to launch a Green Entrepreneurship Program that empowers youth whose businesses address the triple planetary crisis. Of the 20,000 young men and women entrepreneurs that TEF has empowered, more than 500 are directly or indirectly solving challenges related to climate change, and over a third (35%) working in the agricultural sector.

By empowering young people, we are establishing a dynamic engine that drives economic growth and development across the continent. These entrepreneurs also become vital pillars of support within their communities. They are not only creating essential jobs and income, but also uplifting families and breaking the cycle of poverty. And now, more than ever, is the time to bring a climate-lens to this entrepreneurship.

Africa is warming more quickly than the rest of the world. By 2030, an estimated 118 million Africans are projected to face drought, and rising sea levels threaten coastal regions, potentially displacing millions. Climate change is impeding access to basic necessities: water, power, food, and education. But these challenges also offer extraordinary opportunities for those with an entrepreneurial mindset to tackle climate change, while simultaneously creating significant economic value.

For instance, how can we enhance the sustainability of smallholder farmers, which comprise 80% of all farms in sub-Saharan Africa and employ 60% of the continent’s workforce? What strategies can be employed by African nations with vast forests—such as Gabon, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, and Congo—to effectively leverage these critical carbon sinks?

To unlock the full potential of green solutions in Africa, we must nurture entrepreneurship—and this cannot be achieved by governments alone. We need to integrate government incentive schemes, with the opportunities presented by the private sector. It is imperative that we unite philanthropies, policymakers, and businesses. I refer to this movement as “Africapitalism”—a call for partnership led by the private sector, focused on fostering prosperity for all.

Global warming is not an inevitable fate. Entrepreneurs are inherently problem solvers; they possess the curiosity to explore opportunities and challenges, the creativity to devise innovative solutions, and the determination to transform obstacles into successes. Youth entrepreneurship can be a solution to averting the looming crisis of climate impact. It’s time to harness this power.

 

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YouTube to cut monetization for low-effort and A.I. content from July 15.

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From July 15, 2025, YouTube will implement a new set of rules in its monetization policies within the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), focused on eliminating repetitive, automated, and low-value content.

According to the official announcement, YouTube will update its monetization policies specifically to address two types of content considered “inauthentic”.

The first type is “mass-produced content”.

According to the announcement, this includes “videos created in bulk with minimal human input, such as automated presentations with synthetic voices and no personalized narrative.”

Another type of content that will be cut are “repetitive content. This includes “videos that reuse formats, scripts, or styles without offering distinctive value, such as reaction mashups, remixes of existing content, or compilations with minimal editing.”

This type of content, while it may have previously met technical requirements, will now be demonetized for lacking originality and real value for viewers.

According to the announcement, all videos that fall into the following categories will be excluded from monetization:

“Reuse third-party material without significant transformation.

“Use auto-generated voices or subtitles without adding commentary or original context.

“Publish the same type of video repeatedly without variation or innovation.

“Be superficially edited to appear new (e.g., changing colors, cropping scenes, or applying filters without adding value).
Channels that continue using these practices risk being removed from the YouTube Partner Program.”

YouTube will reward monetization only to creators producing original and authentic content, including:

“Educational videos with unique explanations, research, or tutorials that teach something new.

“Innovative entertainment content, such as original sketches, short films, vlogs, or creative analysis.

“Narration and editing with the creator’s own voice and style, avoiding exclusive reliance on artificial narrators or automated tools.”

The platform clarified that AI is not prohibited, as long as the creator adds meaningful human value…

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IMO STATE LAUNCHES DIGITAL LAND INFORMATION CENTER, UNLOCKING NEW ERA FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT

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Imo State has taken a major leap in land administration with the unveiling of the Imo Land Information Service Centre (IMLISC), a modern, technology-driven facility established under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma. Located within the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning in Owerri, this state-of-the-art centre is set to transform land governance, boost investor confidence, and protect citizens from fraudulent land dealings.

The IMLISC introduces a fully digital system that streamlines land transactions and offers services such as e-land searches, land recertification, issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), and ownership transfers. These automated processes ensure faster, more transparent, and accountable land administration, marking a clear departure from outdated, manual methods.

Governor Uzodimma’s administration has championed this initiative as part of its broader commitment to innovative governance and economic reform. The centre provides Imo citizens with secure access to land-related data, shielding them from scams and ensuring legitimacy in property transactions. It builds trust and simplifies land ownership—making it both secure and straightforward.

For the business community, IMLISC is a game-changer. Entrepreneurs and real estate developers now have access to clear documentation, reliable data, and efficient processing—eliminating bottlenecks that previously hampered progress. The result is a more attractive business climate that welcomes both local and diaspora investors with open arms.

Moreover, the new system is expected to enhance internally generated revenue (IGR). With better documentation and fewer disputes, land transactions will be more organized and traceable, increasing state earnings from legitimate dealings. These funds can then be reinvested into critical sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and education—ultimately benefiting every Imo resident.

The centre will also serve as a hub for land dispute resolution, offering timely and fair intervention mechanisms. Through data-driven decision-making, it will support sustainable urban planning and responsible land use policies across the state.

Governor Uzodimma’s foresight in establishing the IMLISC is a testament to his commitment to good governance, transparency, and economic growth. The centre is not just a building—it is a symbol of Imo State’s readiness for progress, a safeguard for property rights, and a magnet for investment.

With this initiative, Imo is setting a new benchmark in land administration—one that empowers citizens, supports business growth, attracts global investors, and drives development for the future.

#HopeNewAndElectronicMediaCenter

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French Tesla customers sue over brand becoming ‘extreme right’

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Tesla sales in the EU have nearly halved, with many customers looking for electric cars put off by Elon Musk's political positions. Photo: JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP/File Source: AFP

Around 10 French clients with leases on Teslas are suing the US carmaker, run by Elon Musk, because they consider the vehicles to be “extreme-right” symbols, the law firm representing them said on Wednesday.

They feel they suffered “direct and concrete” damage from the way Teslas are now associated with “Elon Musk’s actions”, the GKA law firm said.

They are demanding the Paris commercial court order their lease contracts be terminated and legal costs reimbursed, it said in a statement, signed by lawyers Patrick Klugman and Ivan Terel.

The lawsuit comes as Tesla sales in the European Union have almost halved since the beginning of the year, a slump attributed to Musk’s political activities.

Those activities include him — until last week — standing firmly with US President Donald Trump, and overseeing efforts to cut down US departments and agencies.

He has also lent public support to Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, and came under criticism for making a repeated gesture with an out-thrust arm interpreted by many historians to be a Nazi salute.

“Because of Elon Musk’s actions… Tesla branded vehicles have become strong political symbols and now appear to be veritable extreme-right ‘totems’, to the dismay of those who acquired them with the sole aim of possessing an innovative and ecological vehicle,” GKA said in a statement.

The perception of the Teslas they leased “prevents them from fully enjoying their car”, it said.

Most of the leases run for four years, with an option at the end to buy the vehicle.

Tesla cars in Europe and elsewhere have been targeted by vandals, with some drivers reporting they have been insulted for using what is sometimes called on social media a “swasti-car”.

Several owners have taken to putting stickers on their Teslas reading “I bought this before Elon went crazy”.

“The situation is both unexpected and impossible for French Tesla owners,” Klugman told AFP.

“Musk’s political positions have interrupted enjoyment” of the vehicles, and “we believe that Mr Musk owes these buyers the peaceful possession of the thing sold”, he said.

Contacted by AFP for comment, Tesla did not immediately respond.

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