'40 under 40' winner Basil Anthony eyes Kenya for entrepreneurial talent project

Award-winning Ghanaian-British business personality and philanthropist Basil David Anthony is in Kenya for what he says is a mission to identify talent for various entrepreneurial projects.

Anthony, who jetted into the country on Sunday, is one of the most recognizable and feted African business personalities, having embarked in numerous endeavours which have won him awards, plaudits and recognition internationally.

While speaking to Citizen Digital, the young business guru, who boasts almost 20 years of experience in various business sectors including flooring, information technology, marketing, events, entertainment and travel, said that the entrepreneurial journey has been tough and fraught with challenges but that he has been able to overcome it all.

"I've always had this drive, this passion. It's either you are born with it, or you acquire it. This is my passion, I can't see myself doing anything else apart from being an entrepreneur," he said.

"It's good to win awards and to achieve business milestones, but we also need to be focused and stay impactful."

At only 38 years, Anthony has won the People's Choice Awards at Ghana's 40 Under 40 Awards (2023), the Top Young CEOs in Ghana (2023) and was also bestowed with an award right in Kenya for Africa 40 Under 40.

"We need to make a change. The idea is to transform Africa, one entrepreneur at a time. And that's why I formed a foundation David Basil Foundation to transform Africa," he added.

The high-flying business magnate is now seeking to kickstart a reality show aimed at identifying entrepreneurial talents in young Africans by having them pitch their ideas at a judging panel and having financial help pumped into their ideas.

"We want to help them propel their businesses. I believe in Africa, we create too many jobseekers than job creators. And thus is because everyone is going to school but we are not reinforcing the idea that being an entrepreneur is a cool thing," he said.

Anthony also revealed that young entrepreneurs are now invited to register and be part of the novel movement, while adding that, after the registration, a team will sit down to come up with the final names before the show goes is inaugurated later this year.

"The premiere season will be here in Kenya for Africa's Next Young Millionaire," he said.

As the CEO of Modern Floors, Anthony revealed that he was also in Kenya in a bid to push the company's visibility and market penetration in Kenya, specifically at an expo that will go down at the Sarit Centre.

Anthony further spoke about his philanthropic efforts in supplying free sanitary pads to young women across Africa.

"I want to urge young entrepreneurs to be relentless and focused and learn how to scale up money. You don't always need huge capital to begin a business. Walk your own path and be your own person," he concluded.