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  • global development
  • Department of Global Development

Perspectives in International Development Seminar Series: Spring 2021

Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the agriculture and food sectors in Africa, which is projected to exceed a trillion dollars by 2030. This seminar will explore the key insights from Ndidi Nwuneli’s new book – “Food Entrepreneurs in Africa: Scaling Resilient Agriculture Businesses,” and will capture her own experiences as an entrepreneur and the voices of over 80 entrepreneurs. It will specifically explore how entrepreneurs can develop scalable business models, attract and retain talent, leverage innovation & technology to leapfrog and adapt to climate change, raise patient and catalytic financing, build strong brands, shape their ecosystem and grow resilient businesses that can withstand future shocks and stresses.

About the presenter

Ndidi Nwuneli is the Managing Partner of Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd., which works across West Africa shaping agricultural policy, creating catalytic ventures, and implementing ecosystem solutions. She is also the co-founder of AACE Foods, which sources from over 10,000 farmers and produces a range of packaged spices, seasonings, and cereals for local and international markets. Ndidi is also the founder of LEAP Africa which inspires, empowers, and equips a new cadre of principled, disciplined, and dynamic young leaders in Africa. She is the founder and chair of Nourishing Africa, a digital knowledge, financing and data hub which is enabling agribusiness entrepreneurs in 34 African countries to scale.  Ndidi started her career as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, working in the Chicago, New York, and Johannesburg Offices. She holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree with honours from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She was a Senior Fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business & Government at the Harvard Kennedy School and an Aspen Institute New Voices Fellow. Ndidi was recognized as a Young Global Leader and Schwab Social Innovator by the World Economic Forum and received a National Honor from the Nigerian Government. Ndidi serves on the boards of the Rockefeller Foundation, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), AGRA, Nigerian Breweries Plc. (Heineken), Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. India, Fairfax Africa Holdings Canada, BusinessDay Newspapers, Royal DSM Sustainability Board, Netherlands, and the African Philanthropy Forum.  Ndidi is the author of “Social Innovation in Africa: A Practical Guide for Scaling Impact," published by Routledge. Her new book titled "Food Entrepreneurs in Africa: Scaling Resilient Agriculture Businesses" will be published by Routledge in March 2021. She is a TED Global speaker and her work has been featured on CNN, BBC, and a range of international and local media outlets.

About the seminar series

The "Perspectives in International Development Seminar Series" is co-sponsored by the Department of Global Development, the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, and the School of Integrative Plant Science as part of courses IARD 6960NTRES 6960PLSCS 6960 and AEM 6960. For additional questions, contact course teaching assistant Khusel Avirmed at ta346 [at] cornell.edu (ta346[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Date & Time

April 14, 2021
12:25 pm - 1:15 pm

Ndidi Nuweli

More information about this event.

Contact Information

Khusel Avirmed, Teaching assistant

  • ta346 [at] cornell.edu

Speaker

Ndidi Nwuneli, Managing Partner, Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd.

Departments

Department of Global Development

Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management

School of Integrative Plant Science

Natural Resources and the Environment

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