By Johnson Adebowale
Ondo State captured the attention of global investors and entrepreneurs at the Global Press Conference for the Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF) 2025, held in Sandton, Johannesburg. The event served as a powerful platform to showcase Ondo’s burgeoning status as a dynamic center for innovation, enterprise, and international investment.
Dr. Summy Smart Francis, GEF Project Lead, painted a compelling picture of Ondo, describing it as “a land where infrastructure meets innovation.” Addressing a distinguished audience of government officials, diplomats, investors, and entrepreneurs, he highlighted the state’s strategic focus on fostering entrepreneurship and sustainability, underpinned by investor-friendly policies and rapidly expanding infrastructure.
“This is more than just an invitation to a festival,” Dr. Francis emphasized. “It’s an invitation to discover a market teeming with untapped potential. Ondo is unequivocally open for business.”
He extended a formal invitation to global entrepreneurs, investors, and partners to participate in GEF 2025, scheduled to take place in Ondo State from November 21–23, 2025. The festival, themed “The AI-Powered Entrepreneur: Creating a Sustainable Future,” promises to draw a diverse array of entrepreneurs, policymakers, business leaders, and innovators from around the globe.
The GEF 2025 lineup boasts an impressive array of events, including the Global Leadership Forum, the International Women’s Congress, Deal Rooms & Trade Exhibitions, the Entrepreneurs Investment Program, and the prestigious Global Entrepreneurs Award Ceremony.
Nancy Taiye Aragbaiye, GEF USA Country Director, further amplified Ondo’s appeal, portraying the state as a “symbol of possibility.” She stated, “From Ondo to the world, GEF is creating global visibility for Africa’s brightest ideas and boldest entrepreneurs.”
As the GEF global tour continues, the international spotlight firmly rests on Ondo State, a destination poised to welcome the world’s leading minds and most significant investors