Breakout 1
|
Saturday
|
9:00 am
Aldrich 107

Entrepreneurship and Impact: Building sustainable businesses to solve Africa’s most pressing challenges

For too long, philanthropy and traditional nonprofits have been the primary avenues for empowering communities across Africa. This panel will explore how entrepreneurship can serve as a transformative tool to drive lasting impact without relying on handouts. Bringing together impact investors, entrepreneurs, and VCs, we will discuss strategies to build sustainable, scalable enterprises that transcend borders and create real change across the continent. Attendees will hear firsthand from investors and founders on the trade-offs and synergies between profitability and purpose.

Entrepreneurship and Impact: Building sustainable businesses to solve Africa’s most pressing challenges

For too long, philanthropy and traditional nonprofits have been the primary avenues for empowering communities across Africa. This panel will explore how entrepreneurship can serve as a transformative tool to drive lasting impact without relying on handouts. Bringing together impact investors, entrepreneurs, and VCs, we will discuss strategies to build sustainable, scalable enterprises that transcend borders and create real change across the continent. Attendees will hear firsthand from investors and founders on the trade-offs and synergies between profitability and purpose.

America/New_York
Feb 15, 2025 9:00 AM
Aldrich 107

Other Sessions

More Info
Breakout 1
Saturday
|
9:00 am
Aldrich 110
Building Sustainable Global African Brands
This masterclass equips participants to build strong African brands, drive growth, and reshape global perceptions.
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Building Sustainable Global African Brands

Research by Brand Africa (www.brand.africa) has revealed that over the past 15 years, while 64% of Africans claim to believe in their continent, only 20% of the brands they admire are actually made in Africa. This disconnect is further highlighted by the mere 15% of intra-Africa trade.  However, a new chapter is unfolding with the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), opening doors for homegrown brands to flourish.Coupled with a renewed global spotlight on African brands, there has never been a better time for companies to capitalize on this momentum. Strong African brands now have the potential to not only drive economic growth but also reshape narratives about the continent.

The Building Sustainable Global African Brands masterclass will equip participants with insights, knowledge and skill and best practices to build compelling, impactful and differentiated global African brands in Africa; as well as a brand-led approach to reshaping the African narrative and perceptions.  

America/New_York
Feb 15, 2025 9:00 AM
Aldrich 110
More Info
Breakout 2
Saturday
|
11:30 am
Aldrich 110
Eco-tourism | African Heritage Trails: Unlocking Economic Growth Through Sustainable Tourism
This panel explores how African heritage sites drive tourism, economic growth, and community empowerment.
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Eco-tourism | African Heritage Trails: Unlocking Economic Growth Through Sustainable Tourism

Across the African continent, historical and cultural sites are being transformed into engines of economic resilience. This panel will explore how heritage trails, conservation efforts, and agritourism initiatives are not only preserving Africa’s rich history but also driving sustainable development and community empowerment. By reclaiming historical narratives and showcasing pre-colonial innovations, African nations are attracting global visitors while fostering local entrepreneurship and environmental stewardship.
Join us for a dynamic conversation, in collaboration with the Uganda Embassy, Theodore Roosevelt East Africa Sustainable Development Initiative (TREASDI), and the Business of Doing Good Summit Series Consortium, as we highlight innovative approaches to leveraging Africa’s heritage for economic growth and exchange ideas on expanding these efforts across the continent.

America/New_York
Feb 15, 2025 11:30 AM
Aldrich 110
More Info
Breakout 3
Saturday
|
3:45 pm
Aldrich 107
Unlocking the African Genome: Positioning the Continent as the Next Hub for Genomic Innovation
This panel explores Africa’s genomic potential, biotech leadership, and ethical funding for equitable healthcare advances.
More Info

Unlocking the African Genome: Positioning the Continent as the Next Hub for Genomic Innovation

The African genome, one of the most genetically diverse yet understudied, holds immense potential to transform global healthcare. As the cradle of human life, Africa’s genetic diversity is key to understanding the foundations of humanity. Unlocking its secrets could lead to breakthroughs in disease treatments, drug development, and personalized medicine. However, realizing this potential will require significant financial investment, capacity building, and robust ethical frameworks to ensure Africa benefits from these advancements while preventing exploitation.

This panel seeks to answer the following questions: How can understanding the African genome save lives globally? How can Africa become a biotech leader in the genomic era? And crucially, what innovative funding models can be developed to support genomic research in Africa while ensuring equitable returns for African communities?

America/New_York
Feb 15, 2025 3:45 PM
Aldrich 107