Leveraging the Diaspora: Mobilizing African Cultural Movements on the Global Stage

In the past decade, the African continent has experienced a remarkable surge in startup activity, as many enterprising individuals have set their sights on solving local challenges through innovative solutions. However, this momentum has been met with a challenging year, where several startups have been forced to either shut down or significantly downsize to weather the current storm. This panel will focus on how African startups can scale from 0 to 1 and from 1 to 100 and how they can access capital, talent, and mentorship to fuel sustainable growth.

This session is dedicated to exploring the intricate social fabric of African nations and their influence on the global stage. We'll delve into topics such as innovation, cultural influence, economic development, and the challenges and opportunities faced by African countries in today's interconnected world and explore subjects like gender equality, cultural narratives, and the interplay between social development and economic progress in African countries. This is a unique opportunity to gain insights from one of the most articulate voices on African development and global competitiveness.

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According to the World Bank, The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is poised to make Africa the largest trade area/zone in terms of market size, creating a market of 1.3 billion people across 55 countries and a combined GDP of approx. $3.4 Trillion. Many have posited it as a game change-changer with the potential to transform African economies and significantly raise Africa’s share of global trade and investment flows and shift the direction and composition of FDI to Africa, positioning the region as an increasingly dynamic force in the international arena. How can Africa leverage the AfCFTA to enhance its global competitiveness and compete in the new global era?

Come hear industry stalwarts take center stage to unravel the intricacies of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). Against the backdrop of this historic agreement, the keynote will explore strategic visions, challenges, and opportunities presented by the AfCFTA as well as delve into the private sector's role in innovation, infrastructure development, and the imperative of collaborative efforts in repositioning Africa on the global economic stage.