Public and Private Meet at the Africa CEO Forum
The Africa CEO Forum 2025 took place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and saw 2,000 business leaders, investors and policy makers take part in two days of conferences, debates and high-level meetings dedicated to highlighting the driving role of the private sector in the development of the continent. We hear from Ghanaian President John Mahama and discuss the biggest takeaways from the gathering. (Source: Bloomberg)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
32 minutes ago
- Forbes
5 Ways ChatGPT Is Redefining LinkedIn Networking For Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneur building LinkedIn network According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2023-2024 report, 24% of young entrepreneurs are actively engaged in starting or running businesses, yet many struggle with time management while balancing growth activities on LinkedIn and other platforms. Teen and young adult entrepreneurs face additional challenges, including building credibility while competing against more established professionals on LinkedIn. LinkedIn has become essential for business development, but traditional LinkedIn networking approaches consume hours without guaranteed returns. This time crunch hits younger entrepreneurs particularly hard as they juggle business building with school, family commitments, and limited resources. Young entrepreneurs face a choice: spend significant time crafting individual LinkedIn messages and content or risk appearing generic in a crowded LinkedIn marketplace. ChatGPT offers entrepreneurs of all ages a middle path—maintaining personalization while scaling LinkedIn networking efforts efficiently. For younger business owners, AI tools level the playing field by helping them create professional content and outreach that competes with seasoned entrepreneurs. Here's how smart business owners are using AI to build meaningful professional relationships on LinkedIn. Writing individual connection requests and follow-up messages can consume several hours each week. Most entrepreneurs either send generic messages or spend too much time personalizing each one. ChatGPT helps you find the middle ground. Use this prompt: "I want to connect with [specific role/industry] professionals on LinkedIn. Help me create a connection message template that I can customize with specific details about each person. The message should be professional, specific, and under 200 characters." For LinkedIn follow-up messages, try: "I recently connected with someone on LinkedIn who [specific background detail] The key is using ChatGPT for structure while adding personal details about each LinkedIn contact. A message that mentions their recent article or company milestone performs far better than AI-generated content alone. Most entrepreneur profiles read like resumes rather than marketing tools. They list past jobs instead of showcasing current value and future potential. ChatGPT can help reframe your LinkedIn profile around client needs. Use this prompt: "I'm an entrepreneur in [industry] who helps [target client] achieve [specific outcome]. Help me write a LinkedIn headline and summary that attracts potential clients, partners, and investors. Focus on results I deliver rather than credentials I have." Your LinkedIn headline should answer this question: "What problem do you solve for whom?" Instead of "Startup Founder," try "Helping Restaurants Increase Revenue 30% Through Data-Driven Marketing | SaaS Entrepreneur | Foodtech Innovator." Young entrepreneurs can add credibility by highlighting specific results rather than relying solely on years of experience. For your LinkedIn summary, lead with client outcomes, include a brief origin story, and end with a clear call to action. It's all about developing and sharing your personal brand. Teen entrepreneurs should focus on passion, problem-solving abilities, and early wins rather than traditional credentials. People connect with entrepreneurs who can help them, regardless of age. Consistent posting on LinkedIn helps build visibility, but many entrepreneurs struggle with creating engaging content. They either share random thoughts or spend hours crafting posts that few people engage with. ChatGPT can generate LinkedIn content ideas aligned with your business goals. Try this prompt: "I'm building a [type of business] and want to attract [specific audience] on LinkedIn. Generate 10 post ideas that position me as an expert while providing value to potential clients. Include questions that encourage engagement." The most effective LinkedIn content for entrepreneurs combines industry insights with personal experiences. Share lessons from specific client projects, predictions based on your expertise, or frameworks you've developed. People follow entrepreneurs who offer practical wisdom, not generic business advice. Post consistently on LinkedIn rather than perfectly. Two valuable posts a week are better than one brilliant post quarterly. Random networking wastes time. Successful entrepreneurs connect strategically on LinkedIn with potential clients, partners, investors, and mentors who align with their business goals. ChatGPT can help you identify ideal LinkedIn connections. Use this prompt: "I'm building [business description] and need to connect with [specific types of people] on LinkedIn. What LinkedIn search terms should I use? What mutual interests or challenges might we share? How should I position myself when reaching out?" Create LinkedIn connection campaigns around specific business objectives. If you're raising funding, target angel investors in your particular industry or sector. If you need strategic partnerships, focus on complementary service providers. Quality beats quantity in LinkedIn entrepreneurial networking. Research LinkedIn prospects before connecting. Check their recent posts, company news, or mutual connections. A reference to their latest achievement or shared connection dramatically increases response rates. Networking isn't about collecting LinkedIn connections—it's about building relationships that create mutual value. Many entrepreneurs connect and then disappear, missing opportunities to develop partnerships. ChatGPT can help you maintain consistent LinkedIn engagement. Try this prompt: "I want to stay connected with my LinkedIn network without being pushy. Help me create a system for engaging with others' content, sharing valuable resources, and maintaining relationships over time." Engage with others' LinkedIn content before promoting your own. Comment thoughtfully on posts from potential clients or partners. Share relevant articles with specific LinkedIn connections who might find them helpful. Make introductions between contacts who could benefit from knowing each other. Use ChatGPT to draft LinkedIn comments that add value rather than just praise. Instead of "Great post!" try something like "This reminds me of a similar challenge we faced at [company]. We found that [specific insight] was particularly helpful. Thanks for sharing your perspective." ChatGPT makes LinkedIn networking more efficient, but successful entrepreneurs still invest time in building genuine relationships on LinkedIn. Use AI to handle structure, templates, and initial drafts, then add personal touches that reflect authentic interest in others. The entrepreneurs who succeed on LinkedIn provide value before asking for anything—regardless of their age or experience level. They share insights, make connections, and solve problems for others. ChatGPT makes these LinkedIn activities more scalable, giving younger entrepreneurs the tools to compete professionally. For teen and young entrepreneurs, start with one area—perhaps optimizing your LinkedIn profile or planning your next month of LinkedIn content. As you see results, expand your use of AI tools to other LinkedIn networking activities. The key advantage younger entrepreneurs have is adaptability and a willingness to embrace new tools, such as AI.
Bloomberg
36 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
German Startup Neura Robotics Eyes Up to €1 Billion Fundraising
German startup Neura Robotics is targeting to raise as much as €1 billion ($1.2 billion) in new funding as the company prepares to debut a humanoid robot, according to people familiar with the matter. Neura Robotics has started approaching potential investors, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Senegal women's basketball team cancels US training camp after some players have visas denied
The Senegal women's basketball team has had to cancel a training camp it had scheduled in the United States after some members of its squad had their visas denied, the country's prime minister said on Thursday. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko wrote on Facebook that the 10-day training camp – which was due to be held at a college in the US between June 22 to July 3 – will instead take place in Senegal's capital, Dakar, 'a sovereign setting that is conducive to the performance of our athletes' after 'several' players had their visas denied. 'We clearly and firmly reaffirm our new cooperation doctrine: free, balanced cooperation based on mutual respect and shared benefit,' Sonko wrote in his post. In a statement posted on Instagram from the Senegalese basketball federation, the governing body said that two representatives of the federation, a doctor, a physiotherapist, five players, a steward, the general manager and the ministerial delegate were refused visas by the ambassador of the United States to Senegal. No reason was given as to why the visas were denied. A State Department spokesperson told CNN Sports that due to the confidential nature of US visas, it couldn't comment on individual cases. CNN Sports has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment. Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced a travel ban for 12 countries, which restricts entry of nationals from Afghanistan; Myanmar, also known as Burma; Chad; Republic of the Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Haiti; Iran; Libya; Somalia; Sudan; and Yemen. People from seven countries have a partial restriction: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. In the president's initial proclamation, there are exceptions for athletes, coaches, important staffers and immediate family for athletes traveling to the US for the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics Games and 'other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State.' The news comes amid reports that Trump is weighing up adding a further 36 countries to the banned list, 25 of which are set to come from Africa, including Senegal. The Senegalese team is the dominant force in African women's basketball, having won 11 FIBA Women's AfroBasket titles, the most of any country. However, the Lionesses have failed to reach those heights in recent years having last been victorious in 2015, finishing second three times since then. The camp in the US was in preparation for next installment of the biennial tournament which will be played between July 26 and August 3 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
