Petrolin Group’s Samuel Dossou-Aworet urges African govts to promote entrepreneurship

In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Samuel Dossou-Aworet, the Founder of Petrolin Group, discussed the importance of promoting entrepreneurship in Africa and the need for greater support from African governments. Dossou-Aworet emphasized the significance of concrete action and deals rather than mere discussions during investment conferences. He highlighted the need for indigenous businesses to share the risks with international partners to showcase their capabilities and lower the perceived risk in doing business on the continent. Dossou-Aworet shared his advice for policymakers, urging them to rely on local and regional entrepreneurs who have a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities in Africa. He emphasized the importance of training and empowering the youth, transferring knowledge from experienced business leaders to the next generation of entrepreneurs. The key theme of the discussion centered around the mispricing of Africa's risk premium, with Dossou-Aworet advocating for a more collaborative approach between local businesses and international partners to mitigate risks and drive business growth. He highlighted the need for policymakers to support and enable entrepreneurs, making them the new 'rock stars' of the continent. As a seasoned business leader with a diverse portfolio of interests across the continent, Dossou-Aworet emphasized the role of technology and youth in driving the future of African business. He encouraged confidence in the younger generation's technical knowledge and skills, emphasizing the potential for them to play a significant role in building a new Africa. Overall, Dossou-Aworet's perspective shed light on the importance of promoting entrepreneurship, fostering collaboration between local and international players, and empowering the youth to drive innovation and growth in African business.