Global Platform Debuts for African Artistic Pursuits to Captivate International Audiences
In 2023, executives from Harvard Business School paid a visit to the office of Stars From All Nations (SFAN) in Ghana, marking a significant milestone for the organisation. This meeting came after a year of global recognition for SFAN, which saw features on New York's Times Square by the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center and partnerships with Visa on career content initiatives.
The organisation, founded by Tom-Chris Emewulu in a small classroom at Radford University in 2013, has since partnered with major organisations such as Ecobank, British Council, MTN, Ashoka, Visa, and the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center. These partnerships have played a crucial role in shaping Africa's workforce.
The unemployment rate among university graduates in Africa remains high, with 60% struggling to find jobs. In response, SFAN launched ReadyforWork, an AI-powered career accelerator, in 2021. This initiative assists young Africans in upskilling in digital fields like software engineering, UX/UI design, and data science.
The brand refresh of SFAN does not only involve a facelift, but it also aims to provide a comprehensive platform for young Africans. The new website serves as a functional hub for accessing scholarships, career services, startup resources, and high-impact training.
SFAN's impact has evolved beyond just shaping the African workforce. Over 100 early-career professionals have used the platform to secure meaningful employment. The organisation has also created three flagship events: the Quantum Leap Career Fair, the SFAN Business Breakfast Meeting, and Student Entrepreneurship Week.
Despite the progress made, the challenge of bridging the gap between education and industry remains. In Ghana, only 3% of annual university graduates found jobs within a year. However, SFAN continues to strive towards this goal, evolving into a pan-African movement, equipping young people with the skills and networks to thrive in a competitive job market.
While information about the founder of SFAN or the launch of their new website is not available in the provided search results, one thing is certain: SFAN is making a significant impact in the lives of young Africans and the African workforce as a whole.
