Africa Forward: Enhancing Africa’s Global Competitiveness

Africa stands at the precipice of a technological revolution, and artificial intelligence (AI) holds the key to unlocking unprecedented opportunities across the continent. From healthcare to agriculture, finance to education, the potential applications of AI are boundless. Yet, alongside this promise lie unique challenges that demand innovative solutions. Our expert panelists will explore the intricacies of integrating AI tools within diverse African contexts. We'll investigate how AI can drive economic growth, enhance social inclusivity, and revolutionize public services. From fostering local talent to navigating regulatory frameworks, we'll dissect the challenges and outline actionable strategies.

High interest rate, climate change, debt crisis and geopolitics - African economies are subjected to many complexities in raising capital. We will delve into the strategies for harnessing the power of local capital while attracting foreign investment in a world marked by shifting dynamics. Participants will gain insights into investor engagement, collaboration, regulatory support, and risk management. This session will provide a forward-looking perspective on how African economies can thrive amidst the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities of the complex global landscape. 

Although Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA)— where entrepreneurs search for and acquire stable, cash-flow positive businesses to grow them over time—is growing in popularity across North America, few “search funds” have been established in Africa. Indeed, there has been limited data to support the case for investing in African search funds and the benefits of this novel asset class. 

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Still, ETA remains uniquely positioned to unlock value, attract talent, and accelerate the growth and development of SMEs—particularly family businesses—across the continent. This panel will focus on three key questions: 

(1) Is Africa ripe for the growth of search funds? 

(2) How can the traditional search fund model be adapted to work in/for the African context? 

(3) What other models can we leverage to see more African ETAs? 

(4) Share some success stories and what we can learn from them.

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