Ekow Mensah on how to best build the capacity of African businesses

The Very Young Entrepreneur Education and Acceleration Summit recently took place at the Hilton Hotel in Johannesburg, bringing together experts from across Africa to discuss the significance of entrepreneurship in today's world. CNBC Africa's Lubabalo Mashiqana had the opportunity to sit down with Ekow Mensah, the Founder and CEO of The African Network of Entrepreneurs, to delve into the crucial topic of bridging the gap between investors and entrepreneurs. Mensah shed light on the common misconception that entrepreneurs often feel they are dependent on investors due to a lack of capital. This mindset can lead them to undervalue themselves in the pursuit of attracting investors. However, Mensah stresses the importance of entrepreneurs recognizing their own value and what they bring to the table. He highlights that investors are seeking a return on their investments, whether it be in the form of social impact or financial gain. Therefore, entrepreneurs need to focus on showcasing the value they offer to potential investors in order to establish a mutually beneficial partnership. By shifting the focus from solely seeking funds to emphasizing the value proposition, entrepreneurs can better position themselves to attract the right investors and foster successful collaborations.