At the African Investors Forum in Dubai this week, Senegalese entrepreneur Mouhamad Rassoul Dieng delivered a powerful message: Senegal’s young people are brimming with potential and it’s time for the government to unleash it.
Organized by the Forum des Opérateurs pour la Garantie de l’Émergence Économique en Afrique (FOGECA), the event brought together investors and business leaders from across Africa and the world, but Mr Dieng’s words addressed his home country, Senegal.
“Work, dream, and dare,” is what Mr Dieng told the youth of Senegal, emphasizing that the country’s future economic champions are already among them. He called on the government to create a stable, supportive environment that nurtures talent: making capital accessible, providing loan guarantees and inspiring confidence in local businesses.
Dieng’s own story illustrates his message; he spoke about being so determined to build his future that he sold all his possessions to fund a plane ticket and education in Russia. Subsequently, he has built successful and diverse business portfolio in both Senegal and Dubai. Bold actions, combined with opportunity, can spark real change on both a personal and business level.
He also reminded policymakers that supporting businesses of national importance isn’t about handouts, it’s about jobs, it’s about economic sovereignty, it’s about the future of Senegalese youth. “The state must liberate them,” he said, reinforcing that entrepreneurial success is both a personal and national opportunity.
FOGECA continues to unite Africa with global financial hubs, highlighting the continent’s investment potential. Mr Dieng’s speech was a timely reminder: Senegal’s youth are ready to lead, and with the right support, they can become the next generation of entrepreneurs.
To watch Mouhamad’s speech and the event in full, please click here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Xrh1F1ocbQY