Breakout 2
|
Saturday
|
11:30 am
Spangler Auditorium

Strategic Investments for Impact and Growth across Africa

The panel brings together key financiers in Africa—spanning the private sector, philanthropies, and public sector players—to explore how innovative financing can drive sustainable development and economic growth across the continent. The discussion will highlight the critical role of collaboration among these stakeholders in addressing Africa’s unique challenges and unlocking its opportunities. Panelists will share insights on structuring impactful investments, mobilizing capital at scale, and leveraging strategic partnerships, while also addressing the challenges they face when operating in the region.

Strategic Investments for Impact and Growth across Africa

The panel brings together key financiers in Africa—spanning the private sector, philanthropies, and public sector players—to explore how innovative financing can drive sustainable development and economic growth across the continent. The discussion will highlight the critical role of collaboration among these stakeholders in addressing Africa’s unique challenges and unlocking its opportunities. Panelists will share insights on structuring impactful investments, mobilizing capital at scale, and leveraging strategic partnerships, while also addressing the challenges they face when operating in the region.

America/New_York
Feb 15, 2025 11:30 AM
Spangler Auditorium

Other Sessions

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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.
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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
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Breakout 3
Saturday
|
3:45 pm
Aldrich 111
Regional Collaboration for Innovation in the Education Sector
This panel explores innovative education models and partnerships to equip Africa’s youth with future-ready skills for growth.
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Regional Collaboration for Innovation in the Education Sector

Africa faces significant challenges in education access, delivery, and quality, spanning from elementary to tertiary levels. These issues undermine the continent's ability to prepare its youth for a rapidly changing labor market and emerging industries. 98 million children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa are out of school.. On the delivery side, ~17 million additional teachers are needed to achieve universal primary and secondary education by 2030. The Fourth Industrial Revolution demands skills such as coding, AI, and digital literacy, which are often absent from traditional curricula. Local economies, unable to meet these demands, rely heavily on foreign talent for high-skilled jobs—highlighting deficiencies in the domestic education system and the urgent need for innovative approaches to address these gaps. This panel discussion seeks to explore how regional partnerships and innovative education models, particularly in STEM, can tackle these challenges, equip African youth with future-ready skills, and drive sustainable economic growth on the continent

America/New_York
Feb 15, 2025 3:45 PM
Aldrich 111
More Info
Breakout 1
Saturday
|
9:00 am
Aldrich 109
Bridging the Power Gap: Energy Solutions for Powering Africa’s Future
This panel explores cross-border infrastructure and renewables to unify Africa’s energy grid and drive economic growth.
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Bridging the Power Gap: Energy Solutions for Powering Africa’s Future

In the face of widespread energy inequities, this panel will examine how cross-border infrastructure and renewable energy innovation can reshape Africa’s energy landscape. Experts will discuss strategies for creating a unified energy grid across the continent, integrating both renewable and traditional energy sources. Attendees will learn how a coordinated approach can drive Africa’s energy independence and power economic growth

America/New_York
Feb 15, 2025 9:00 AM
Aldrich 109