Ghanaian business magnate Dr. Daniel Mckorley (McDan) has admonished young graduates to pursue self-employment for survival, innovation, and job creation in Africa.

He emphasised that Africa’s stagnant markets and outdated systems could be improved and developed with enough local talent who pursue problem-solving innovations.

Speaking at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Business School 20th Anniversary alumni homecoming, McDan urged investment in capital, education, and vision to ensure a thriving environment for resilient entrepreneurs.

The alumni homecoming as part of the Business School's 20th Anniversary saw an assembly of old students, university leadership and current students to celebrate the journey of academic and professional excellence of the school.

Addressing the members of academia, industry leaders, traditional rulers, and students, a leading entity in logistics, aviation (McDan Aviation), port operations (McDan Ports), salt mining, and agro-processing, alumnus Dr. Daniel Mckorley, emphasised the power of entrepreneurship in Africa.

“The power of entrepreneurship in Africa is not simply about starting a business. In Africa, it is about survival, innovation, and transformation. It is the entrepreneur who identifies opportunity where others see scarcity. It is the entrepreneur who creates jobs when the formal sector cannot. It is the entrepreneur who challenges outdated systems, introduces new technologies, and disrupts stagnant
markets,” he said.

He was addressing the theme: "Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst for Capability and Resilience in Africa’s Business Ecosystem".

He stressed that entrepreneurship has the potential to build a resilient new Africa.

“This is not just an academic theme; it is a lived reality for me and for countless African entrepreneurs who wake up every day not just to do business but to build nations. Resilience is not built in comfort. It is built through challenges, setbacks, and recoveries. As we face global economic uncertainties, climate change, and rapid technological shifts, it will be entrepreneurship that keeps our economies afloat,” he said.

The McDan Group spans aviation, logistics, salt production, real estate, and agribusiness.

McDan entreated young people and aspiring businesses to value impact and people over profit-making as a way to address the social and economic gaps in Africa.

He also underlined the need for a supportive ecosystem where young people with brilliant ideas can thrive.

“But our greatest achievement is not our profits; it is our people, our impact, and our example to the next
generation. Africa does not suffer from a lack of entrepreneurs. What we lack is a supportive ecosystem.

Too many young people with brilliant ideas are crushed by bureaucracy, lack of funding, or absence of mentorship.

“To make entrepreneurship a real catalyst for development, we must build ecosystems that are: Inclusive, giving women and marginalised groups equal access. Resource-rich with funding, training, and infrastructure. Policy-driven with governments that enable, not disable, business. Digitally empowered, so African entrepreneurs can compete globally,” he said.