Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged African entrepreneurs to close ranks to fully harness the continent’s vast economic and human potential.

Mr Shettima made the call on Wednesday while receiving a Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship 2025/2026 delegation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The delegation was led by Dina Sherif, executive director, (Kuo Sharper Centre) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

He praised MIT’s transformative role in global entrepreneurship, saying its ecosystem has raised over 1.5 billion dollars and created 30,000 jobs.

 The vice-president urged African entrepreneurs to leverage MIT’s resource mobilisation networks to drive innovation, investment and sustainable job creation.

He also called for unity of purpose among African professionals and business leaders across sectors and borders.

“Africa is the new frontier, but its people must unite to transform potential into tangible results impacting lives and livelihoods.

 “We are blessed with vast resources, yet only collective action will unlock the tremendous opportunities across the continent,” he said.

 Mr Shettima said President Bola Tinubu is taking bold steps to leverage opportunities and transform Nigeria’s economy.

 “The president is unafraid of difficult decisions needed to reposition the economy and improve livelihoods,” the vice-president said.

 Earlier, Ms Sherif said the delegation visited to brief Mr Shettima on activities of MIT’s Kuo Sharper Centre.

 She described the centre as dedicated to “fueling the engine of entrepreneurship across the world”.

 Ms Sherif said the fellowship programme has helped entrench entrepreneurship across Africa, with Nigeria emerging as a leading startup hub.

 She assured improved support for African startups through the centre’s initiatives, stressing stronger collaboration across the continent. 

(NAN)