Keynotes
Saturday
|
2:15 pm
Klarman Hall

Africa Accelerated

In this session, we will hear from experts across sectors to posit how we can take an interdisciplinary approach to accelerating Africa’s development in the next decade and beyond. Grounded in an understanding of the largest opportunity gaps, this session will focus on innovative solutions for inclusive growth. In addition to looking at on-the-ground enablers, such as technology, education, and public-private partnerships, we will focus on how the diaspora can support Africa’s growth journey.

Africa Accelerated

In this session, we will hear from experts across sectors to posit how we can take an interdisciplinary approach to accelerating Africa’s development in the next decade and beyond. Grounded in an understanding of the largest opportunity gaps, this session will focus on innovative solutions for inclusive growth. In addition to looking at on-the-ground enablers, such as technology, education, and public-private partnerships, we will focus on how the diaspora can support Africa’s growth journey.

America/New_York
Mar 25, 2023 2:15 PM
Klarman Hall

Other Sessions

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Keynotes
Friday
|
5:00 pm
Klarman Hall
The Tech Founder's Journey
Digging Deeper into What it Takes to Build a Tech Startup in Africa
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The Tech Founder's Journey

It is estimated that over $5 billion was invested across Africa in 2022 – the number of start-ups is growing quickly. As the ecosystem matures, the expectations are higher for founders in Africa. Join us for an intimate fireside with some of Africa’s leading start-up founders. We will delve deep into the highs and lows of being a founder – from building a world-class team, attracting customers, and fundraising, to maintaining self-care.

America/New_York
Mar 24, 2023 5:00 PM
Klarman Hall
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Breakout 3
Saturday
|
3:45 pm
Aldrich 108
Entrepreneurship through Acquisition
Unlocking Value and Powering African SMEs through Acquisition Entrepreneurship
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Entrepreneurship through Acquisition

Although Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA)— where entrepreneurs search for and acquire small, stable, cash-flow positive businesses with the intention to grow them over time—is becoming more popular, 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. Still, ETA remains uniquely positioned to unlock value, find new talent, and accelerate the growth and development of SMEs—particularly family businesses—across the continent. This panel will focus on three key questions: (1) What makes Africa ripe for the growth of search funds? (2) How can the North American search fund model function on the continent? (3) What are the dynamics of operating and growing businesses under this model?

America/New_York
Mar 25, 2023 3:45 PM
Aldrich 108
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Breakout 1
Saturday
|
10:15 am
Aldrich 112
The Creative Economy
Harnessing the Potential of Africa’s Creative Talent
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The Creative Economy

Broad and powerful, the creative industry in Africa holds great promise and spans multiple sectors including film, art, fashion, music, social media content creation, among others. This panel will engage different actors across the value chain on how to break down the barriers that are holding back the industry from achieving its full potential. In this discussion, we will cover the tailwinds that have supported the growth of African creative content so far, how to further increase access to financing for creative entrepreneurs, how to formalize the industry to better realize the economic benefits of its output, how to boost investment in the physical and digital infrastructure that support the creative economy, how to better leverage global digital platforms to distribute creative products more effectively and finally government policies needed to support the overall development of the industry.

America/New_York
Mar 25, 2023 10:15 AM
Aldrich 112