Endeavor continues expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa as it launches in Nigeria

Endeavor, a non-profit organisation that supports high-impact entrepreneurs around the world, has launched a new office in Lagos, Nigeria.

The organisation announced the launch on Wednesday (7 February) in a statement on its website.

Through a partnership with non-profit Omidyar Network, Endeavor Nigeria will aim to support entrepreneurs that have passed the initial startup phase and have potential to scale.

The board of Endeavor’s Nigeria office includes IBTC Bank founder Atedo Peterside (who will serve as chairman), and Chapel Hill Denham CEO and Nigeria Infrastructure Development Fund CIO Bolaji Balogun (who will be the office’s vice-chairman).

Eloho Omame will lead Endeavor Nigeria as managing director

Other members of the founding board include Chellarams PLC managing director Suresh Chellaram, Interswitch CEO and founder Mitchell Elegbe, Seven Up Bottling Company chairman Faysal El Khalil, Assan Oil Mills CEO and Rosemonde Limited chairman Jaideep Gulab, and TPG Growth managing partner Yemi Lalude.

Eloho Omame, a former investment banker and private equity investor, will join Endeavor Nigeria as its managing director. Omame (featured above, fifth from left) will lead the office’s day to day operations.

“We’re thrilled to launch Endeavor in Nigeria with strong support from Omidyar Network, continuing our expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Endeavor co-founder and CEO Linda Rottenberg said in the same statement.

“With the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Lagos growing rapidly, Endeavor Nigeria is well-positioned to make a big impact by providing vital support for the most promising entrepreneurs and emerging companies as they grow and look to scale,” added Rottenberg.

“Endeavor’s trademark support will be of tremendous help to Nigerian entrepreneurs at a crucial point in their journeys, when they are poised to scale their businesses,” said Omidyar Network managing partner Matt Bannick.

“We at Omidyar Network congratulate the Endeavor team on their continued expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa, and look forward to seeing Endeavor Nigeria’s contribution to a growing ecosystem of entrepreneurship,” added Bannick.

Nigeria becomes the second country in Africa to host an Endeavor office, following the 2004 opening of an office in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Featured image: Endeavor via Facebook: Nigeria managing director Eloho Omame (fifth from left) with the Endeavor Nigeria Founding Board