Take advantage of cross-border opportunities, says EADB Boss
East African Development Bank (EADB) Director General, Ms. Vivienne Yeda, has urged East African entrepreneurs to get out of their comfort zones and explore opportunities beyond national borders.
In a speech read on her behalf by the EADB Uganda Country Manager, Mr. Duncan Mwesige, at an entrepreneurship conference held in Kampala, Ms. Yeda said that the economies of East African Community member countries depended on private sector led entrepreneurship and emphasised that regional integration had brought down trade barriers creating plenty of opportunities beyond national borders.
“Too many young people are afraid to venture into the exciting but uncertain world of entrepreneurship, often opting for the easier route of employment,” she noted.
During the event, EADB posthumously honoured its long serving Board Member, Dr. James Mulwana. The Bank presented a plaque in memory of the renowned industrialist, who passed away early this year.
The late Dr. Mulwana, who represented the Uganda private sector on the EADB Board, was praised as a remarkable, humble and innovative business leader and industrialist who mentored many entrepreneurs around the world.
Ms. Yeda observed that the most important lesson entrepreneurs can learn from Dr. Mulwana’s life is that it is possible for indigenous Africans to run successful enterprises with humility and integrity adding that the industrialist demystified the scarcity mentality and left behind a rich legacy from which successive generations will draw inspiration.
“As a champion of regional integration, I cherish Dr. Mulwana’s singular dedication to the unity of our regional economies. He understood that the common futures of our nations depended on regional integration,” said Ms. Yeda.
The Director General challenged young entrepreneurs to honour Dr. Mulwana’s legacy by taking advantage of the opportunities and possibilities presented by ICT to create new businesses and strengthen existing ones.
The conference was organised by Makerere University Business School and Development Finance Company of Uganda Bank Limited (DFCU).
The meeting was also addressed by the Right Hon Speaker of the East African legislative Assembly Ms Margaret Ziiwa and Principal of Makerere University Business School, Prof. Waswa Balunywa, among other distinguished guests.