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TED Talk-style: Through 12-15 minute conversations with various entrepreneurs and investors active on the African continent, we will explore the startup ecosystems of Africa. This session will showcase Africa’s thriving startup landscape through the lens of entrepreneurs, investors and other promoters. If you want to know how Savanah Valley compares to Silicon Valley, this session is for you.
Panel Discussion: This panel of distinguished investors and intermediaries will present current and new initiatives that are making it easier than ever for investors and mentors to support Africa’s hottest ventures. We will discuss the opportunities that new web and mobile investment platforms are availing to Diaspora and foreign investors.
Africa is a cash-based continent, but that is quickly changing with the unstoppable rise of Fintech. Experts estimate that over 33% of mainstream financial service revenues are at risk due to disruption in the industry from Fintech. Beyond competing with incumbent players, Fintech is also opening new markets with innovative products that meet the needs of historically unbanked Africans. These products, and more, will be discussed in this panel.
Having a hard time attracting traditional venture investors? This diverse panel will introduce and discuss other stakeholders that support and fund entrepreneurs across Africa. Among others, this panel will examine opportunities and challenges stemming from corporate and foundation programs, as well as governmental and non-governmental initiatives.
Are you an entrepreneur and great manager ready to support the growth of an established brand in Africa? This panel will explore the pros and cons of franchising, where the product and business model already are proven. Become aware of critical considerations — how accountability for risks, rewards, employee training and R&D must be transparent and shared fairly between the franchiser and franchisee.
Town Hall Meeting: Africa is 54 independent and diverse countries with different economic opportunities and risks. But have you heard about the economic renewal that is occurring outside of Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia? In this session we will challenge the embassies of select African countries to share with us the unique opportunities their economies offer; including special programs that are aimed at promoting investment.
Discussion Panel: he lack of reliable data, or just data for that matter, has been a real handicap for business leaders pursuing opportunities on the continent. This hindrance is pervasive across all business functions, limiting productivity at best, and preventing investments more often than otherwise. The experts and entrepreneurs on this panel will discuss new products and services through which reliable and actionable data is made available to private and public leaders invested in Africa.
Fast Pitches: In 2-3 mins pitches, participants will share notable for-profit as well as nonprofit ventures and projects they are working on.
Workshop: You are sold by the opportunities Africa offers to investors. You are even eager to join the wave of early investors before the market becomes more competitive and prospects of high, risk-adjusted returns dissipate. Whether you are an experienced or new investor, this workshop will guide you through proven steps you can take to close your first African deal as well as common pitfalls to avoid.
By 2030, a quarter of the world’s youth population aged 15-24 will live in Africa. With levels of unemployment routinely exceeding 50% for this age group in many African countries, what are the educational interventions that are needed and that can be effective in preparing this population for productive 21st century employment at living wages? What are the possibilities for local entrepreneurs, educators, and academic institutions? How do they use innovative thinking techniques to quickly and cost-effectively evaluate their solutions’ merits in terms of success and scale? Join us to learn how to build transformative, actionable solutions.
What Africa’s Diaspora & Friends Can Do: Lesson from Successful Diaspora groups.
TED Talk-style: Through other groups and communities, we will seek to learn how Africans in the diaspora, and others invested in the social and economic development of Africa, can galvanize and organize ourselves for the greater impact.