"LAUNCH A DIGITAL BUSINESS IN AFRICA WAS THE BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE"

(From my speech at the "Inspiration Francophone" awards conference)

To inspire is not easy. And by the way, if you have felt inspired by the previous speeches, please applause again for them

You could have been anywhere in the world but you made the decision to be here. You are here and you are happy to be here. You feel like this is a great use of your time. You have made a decision.

And that is the subject I would like to address today : Decision Making

I would like to share with you a decision that I have made. A decision that has changed my life. A decision that allowed me to travel to cities like Dakar, Marrakech, Casablanca, Brazzaville, Londres, Bruxelles, Paris, Accra, Abidjan. A decision that allowed me to get paid by companies where I wanted to work for (Air France, Coca-Cola, Orange, Unilever, L'OREAL, Accorhotels, Canal+, Société Générale and so on..). A decision that allows me to meet, hang out and even collaborate with talented people i admire

This is a simple decision: The launch of a digital business in Africa. How launching a digital business in Africa changed my life ?

Let’s break it down the 3 following key words : Africa, Digital, Entrepreneuruship,

• AFRICA :

I am particularly proud to be african. I am truly gratefull and honoured to be a young african in 2018. I really think that there is no other context that would make me feel better

I can insure you that to be a young african in 2018 is the best position you can have in the world. If you are not sure, just go back 100 years backward.

Raise your hand if you would have loved to be young and african during the colonisation like your grand parents. Personally I wouldn’t have loved it. I think that our generation is more lucky. Actually It is not about what I think, its about facts.

Ok, our young parents could still debate the fact that 1980’s Rumba is better than 2000’s coupé-décalé…and I would agree !

But in 2018, to be african is to be in an environment where sectors still need to be built or structured. I don’t see any biggest challenges. For those who like challenges and had doubts about your position. Don’t.

• The next key word is DIGITAL :

Same thing : just have a look at history. I was not there but I guess that it was a big deal when human beings found out about fire. Same thing for oil and electricity . That was a big revolution.

But let’s be higly aware of what the 21st century internet revolution is bringing to today’s world. We are in a world where the Taxi leading company (Uber) does not own a car. We are in an era where a hotel leading company (Air bnb) does not own a building. In an era where young people can stay in their bed and still sell stuff all day long…

• The next key word : ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Entrepreneurship is the fastest way to impact the social environment in Africa. When you start a business in Africa, you have a straight up social impact. During the last 5 years, Totem Experience (and Adicomdays) worked with many employees and partners. And what I love about this project is that, he allows the young people working for Totem Experience to live their life: moving to their own appartment, getting married, raising kids, etc. All of that thanks to their salary.

You would think that it is easy to make a decision when you have a strategy like mine. But let's be clear: at the beginning there is no clear strategy. The decision is made like the one you have made when you decided to come to this conference. You make your choice, then you adapt yourself to the consequences.

What you expect from starting a business is not necessarliy what you get. It can be better. When you start a business, you think about money. When you build your business, you think about people. Social impact over money making.

If I could inspire you to one thing, it would be with the following idea: When you launch your business, set up goals that are bigger than money, goals that are bigger than you. That this the way of hapiness.

Thank you very much