Breakout 1
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Saturday
|
9:00 am
Aldrich 112

Weaving the Future: Creating Africa’s Fashion Blueprint from Within

Despite flashes of global attention, African fashion brands often struggle to achieve lasting prominence. Too often, Africa’s fashion industry is measured against Western frameworks - fashion houses, fashion weeks, and global runways - that fail to align with the continent’s unique resources, market dynamics, and strengths like sustainability and local artisanship. This panel will challenge these conventions, exploring how African brands can forge a resilient and distinctly African fashion ecosystem by harnessing the talent, traditions, and opportunities already present within the continent, to create a model that thrives locally and competes globally.

Weaving the Future: Creating Africa’s Fashion Blueprint from Within

Despite flashes of global attention, African fashion brands often struggle to achieve lasting prominence. Too often, Africa’s fashion industry is measured against Western frameworks - fashion houses, fashion weeks, and global runways - that fail to align with the continent’s unique resources, market dynamics, and strengths like sustainability and local artisanship. This panel will challenge these conventions, exploring how African brands can forge a resilient and distinctly African fashion ecosystem by harnessing the talent, traditions, and opportunities already present within the continent, to create a model that thrives locally and competes globally.

America/New_York
Feb 15, 2025 9:00 AM
Aldrich 112

Other Sessions

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Lunches
|
Saturday
|
1:30 pm
Aldrich 011
Ecosystem Development
East African Professionals Spotlight
Highlighting entrepreneurship and enterprise across East Africa.
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East African Professionals Spotlight

East Africa is home to some of the continent's most dynamic and innovative business ecosystems. This lunch session shines a spotlight on the entrepreneurs, enterprises, and ecosystems driving growth across the region — from Nairobi's tech scene to Addis Ababa's manufacturing ambitions — and explores what makes East African business unique and globally competitive.

America/New_York
Mar 28, 2026 1:30 PM
Aldrich 011
More Info
Breakout 1
|
Saturday
|
9:00 am
Aldrich 109
Diverse
Reimagining African Philanthropy for Self-Determination
Building locally driven models of giving that center African agency and leadership.
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Reimagining African Philanthropy for Self-Determination

As the global philanthropic landscape evolves, a new generation of African givers and institutions are reimagining what effective philanthropy looks like on the continent. This panel explores how African-led philanthropic models can move beyond dependency on external donors, center local knowledge and agency, and channel resources toward the initiatives that matter most to African communities.

America/New_York
Mar 28, 2026 9:00 AM
Aldrich 109
More Info
Keynotes
|
Saturday
|
3:45 pm
Klarman Auditorium
Tech
Keynote | Harnessing Technology for Good
Join Fred Swaniker for a keynote on harnessing technology for good across the African continent.
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Keynote | Harnessing Technology for Good

Join Fred Swaniker, Founder and CEO of Sand Technologies, for a keynote exploring how technology can be harnessed as a force for good across the African continent, driving inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainable development.

America/New_York
Mar 28, 2026 3:45 PM
Klarman Auditorium
Host
Moderator
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Breakout 3
|
Saturday
|
2:30 pm
Aldrich 108
Ecosystem Development
Powering the Continent: Capital, Infrastructure & the Future of African Energy
How Africa can build the sustainable energy infrastructure needed to power its economic future.
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Powering the Continent: Capital, Infrastructure & the Future of African Energy

Africa's energy transition represents one of the continent's greatest challenges and most transformative opportunities. This panel brings together energy leaders and innovators to discuss how renewable energy, infrastructure financing, and policy reform can work together to close the energy access gap and drive sustainable industrialization across the continent.

America/New_York
Mar 28, 2026 2:30 PM
Aldrich 108
Strong bonds

Africa Focused,


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