On November 1 in Nairobi, we hosted the first Building Beyond Borders event, an intimate gathering for founders and talents shaping Africa’s next global success stories.
Hosted by Agora Visa, the event brought together a vibrant community of founders, talents, and innovators to explore what it truly means to scale across borders, not just in ambition, but in opportunity and impact.
Building Beyond Africa, Founder’s Perspective
In his keynote presentation titled “Building Beyond Africa,” Oluyomi Ojo, Founder of Agora Visa, shared a powerful call to action for African founders: think global from day one.
Drawing from his entrepreneurial journey and Agora’s mission to empower visionary talents through U.S. immigration pathways, Oluyomi spoke about the intersection of mobility and innovation — and how Africa’s next unicorns will be built by those who dare to bridge both worlds.
“Many global unicorns began with a founder who took a leap of faith across borders,” he said. “Visas aren’t just documents; they’re permission to build.”
He shared insights showing that over 50% of U.S. unicorns have immigrant founders, while African founders remain underrepresented in that ecosystem — not due to lack of talent, but lack of access.
His message was clear: the future of African entrepreneurship lies in expanding our reach, not our roots.
“When we talk about going global, it’s not about leaving Africa — it’s about connecting Africa to the world.”
The Panel: Going Global While Staying Rooted
After the keynote, Tope Emiola, Agora Visa’s Co-founder, hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion between Oluyomi Ojo and Tekwane Mwendwa, a Kenyan creative entrepreneur.
Together, they explored the realities and opportunities of building globally while staying authentically African.
The panelists shared personal stories of navigating ecosystems where access, credibility, and mobility often determine how fast — or how far — a founder can grow.
Oluyomi urged founders to start positioning themselves for global visibility early:
“If you’re serious about scaling, document your wins, publish your story, and show evidence of impact. Global opportunities come to those who are visible.”
Tekwane built on that insight, emphasizing that global ambition doesn’t mean losing local identity.
“Nairobi is home, but home can also be your launchpad. Global starts when your work becomes relevant beyond your postcode.”
Visas as Growth Tools, Not Barriers
Throughout the discussions, a key theme emerged: mobility is a growth strategy.
Oluyomi and Tope highlighted how immigration pathways such as the O-1 Visa (for individuals with extraordinary ability), the EB-1A Visa (for leaders at the top of their field), and the EB-2 NIW (for professionals whose work benefits the U.S.) are powerful tools for founders ready to expand their reach.
Rather than being obstacles, these visas provide the legal certainty and global access needed to build partnerships, raise capital, and scale businesses internationally.
“We’re not helping people leave,” Tope noted. “We’re helping them lead — wherever their impact takes them.”
The Vision: A Borderless Future
The Building Beyond Borders series is more than an event; it’s a movement — a collective effort to empower African founders to compete and collaborate on the world stage.
It reflects Agora Visa’s broader vision: a borderless future where African innovation flows freely, where founders can live, work, and lead without being limited by geography.
As Oluyomi closed his session, he left the audience with a line that captured the spirit of the day:
“The world is waiting for Africa’s builders. The only question is — will we step beyond the borders that hold us back?”
About Building Beyond Borders
Building Beyond Borders is Agora Visa’s flagship event series designed to connect founders, talents, and visionaries who are ready to scale their impact globally. Through storytelling, mentorship, and practical visa guidance, Agora helps innovators navigate the pathways that make global entrepreneurship possible.
👉 Learn more at agoravisa.com
👉 Book a free clarity call to explore your visa options and build beyond borders.
