ASFL University of Cape Town, South Africa

Local Coordinator Program: Applications to the ASFL Local Coordinator Program ended on the 24th of April with over 100 applications from all over the continent. However, 69 applicants were selected for the training which started on the 1st of May, 2016. 

South Africa: On the 26th of April 2016 around 30 individuals met in a lecture theatre at the University of Cape Town to discuss if the government was helping or hindering South African entrepreneurs. The event saw five panelists discussing their experiences as entrepreneurs and how the government has failed to help them in their pursuit of success. The general consensus of the evening was that not only was the government not helping, it was hindering them! Regulations, market distorting forces, economic illiterate ideologies and corruption are all acting against entrepreneurs, making every step a struggle for them to succeed. Despite that, many individuals do succeed in South Africa – showing off the tenacity of those who work hard and cleverly in order to succeed – against the odds. This event was the first of a series of three, which ASFL UCT will be hosting to achieve status as an official UCT society. 

Tanzania: Students For Liberty Tanzania led by Local Coordinator Evans Nkya held a one day seminar on 23rd April 2016 at National Institute of Transport(NIT) that was attended by students from other institutions. The participants got a chance to learn about Free Markets and Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Personal Health, how people and ideas change the world and how to access and make use of the resources available to young people.

ASFL Tanzania

On the Career Day held on 30th April 2016 at the Institute of Tax Administration, Dar es Salaam Students for Liberty Tanzania led by Local Coordinator Evans Nkya held a tabling event. The team attracted students from the Institute and other Universities who had attended the career day whom they taught the Libertarian Philosophy and how this may be applied to their unique Tanzanian situation. A total of 60 students registered to join Tanzania Students for Liberty and join the mission to advocate for liberty in the country.

Nigeria: The African Liberty Students Organization, Tai Solarin University of Education, Jagun- Ogun state Nigeria held its first ever event on the 6th of April, 2016 with the theme, Entrepreneurship, the antidote to poverty. The seminar was geared at informing and orientating the participants on the positive socio economic impact of Entrepreneurship, in a bid to meet the practical and theoretical demand of the guests. Moronfolu Adeniyi African Executive Board Member engaged the audience with the works of some libertarian scholars like Ludwig Von Mises, Frédéric Bastiat and Tom G. Palmer. Other speakers included ASFL Programs Manager, Olumayowa Okediran, ASFL Local Coordinator, Olanrewaju Arilomo and the Group’s Staff Adviser. 

African Liberty Students Organization (ALSO) Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, held her induction and handing over program on the 27th of April, 2016.  The program commenced with the opening speech by the President, and ASFL Local Coordinator, Lilian David. The ASFL African Programs Manager, Olumayowa Okediran spoke on Leadership In Liberty and leadership opportunities in African Students For Liberty.

Over 120 students were at the event while 10 other students were inducted as new members of the organization after proper screening. There were students representatives from various chapters, ALSO University of Lagos, ALSO MAPOLY, ALSO Federal College of Education, ALSO University of Ibadan and other organizations on campus such as Enactus, Topnotch, HOTSA, Junior Chambers International, Safety Club, and the Students Union Government also graced the event.

On the 30th of April, 2016, over 100 students from across Nigerian tertiary institutions gathered at the Cooperative Building hall of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria for the first ever African Students For Liberty #ShareYourStory Conference organized Executive Board Member, Oluwafemi Ogunjobi. With support from Atlas Network, the event featured Yael Ossowski, Olumayowa Okediran, Martin Van Staden, Adewale Bankole, Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, Lilian David, Wale Ajetunmobi, Olubunmi Fadiora as the guest speakers to  discuss on a range of topics as it concerns liberty today. Chukwuemeka Ezeugo and other speakers took turns to share their inspiring stories in the Liberty movement and why students should join the global movement that is changing the world. The event also featured student activism panel made up campus leaders to discuss various issues as it affects the continent.

Panelists at the ASFL #ShareYourStory event

Burundi: On April 16th 2016 Students for Liberty Burundi led by Aimable Manirakize held their third event of the year at the Great Lakes University campus Saint Michel. The SFL members in Burundi are shared the Libertarian Philosophy with students from the institution and other Universities around, who are all passionate about bringing positive change to their society, which has gone through years of civil war.  They believe that the Ideas of Liberty and a Free Market society will bring the change that Burundi needs.

Registration is still on for the East African Regional Conference taking place in Nairobi, Kenya on the 17th and 18th of June, 2016. For more information and registration, please visit 2016 East African Regional Conference .