Welcome to the 10th Anniversary of the African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS25)
On behalf of the African Diaspora Network (ADN), I am honored to welcome you to this momentous occasion, celebrating a decade of collaboration, innovation, and impact through ADIS. We are delighted to host you at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., from May 28-30, 2025. A special thanks to Prof. Liesl Riddle for making this possible.
Over the past ten years, ADN has grown into a global community united by a commitment to advancing Africa’s development and empowering its diaspora. I extend my deepest gratitude to our Board members, sponsors, team, partners, speakers, committee members, and participants whose support has made this journey possible. I look forward to the inspiring conversations, connections, and positive impact that ADIS 2025 will bring.
As we reflect on our journey, it is remarkable how far we’ve come. From the humble beginnings of our first gathering in 2016, with seed funding from the U.S. State Department, friends, and early sponsors, to now hosting a global forum that engages many people from across the world, ADN has remained steadfast in its mission.
ADIS Milestones:
This ten-year milestone is a call to action for the future. As we look ahead, Africa’s potential is immense, and the diaspora has a unique role in unlocking it. This symposium is an opportunity to harness our collective strengths, deepen our collaborations, and explore new strategies to transform the continent.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can continue to harness the power of our collective efforts to make lasting change on the continent of Africa and the communities where we live.
With deep appreciation,
Almaz Negash
CEO and Founder,
African Diaspora Network
Dear African Diaspora Network Community,
As Chairman of the African Diaspora Network (ADN), I am honored to celebrate a remarkable milestone with all of you—the 10-year anniversary of the African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS25). Over the past decade, ADN has grown into a vibrant platform that amplifies the contributions of the African diaspora, connecting entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers from across the globe.
Our collective impact is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision. Through programs like ABLE, BAF, and our signature symposium, ADIS, we have unlocked new opportunities for investment, economic growth, and social change across Africa and the diaspora. This journey has been marked by the dedication of our community, the guidance of our board, and the unwavering commitment of our funders, partners, and supporters.
As we look ahead to ADIS25, we are excited to continue building on this momentum. The symposium will be a landmark event, bringing together leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to forge new pathways for growth, innovation, and prosperity. I look forward to celebrating this milestone with you and continuing our work to shape the future of Africa and the diaspora.
Thank you for your dedication and support.
Together, we will make the next decade even more impactful.
Warm regards,
Josh Ghaim, Ph.D.
Chairman,
African Diaspora Network
Welcome to the tenth annual African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS). As the ADN Board Planning Committee for our signature conference, we are honored to welcome you to this special occasion: the Ten-Year Anniversary of ADIS.
Over the past decade, ADIS has grown into a pivotal platform for the African diaspora and friends of Africa to come together in advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in Africa. The role of the board and its planning committee has been crucial in steering this growth, ensuring that each symposium aligns with ADN’s mission to foster dialogue and action that contributes to Africa’s development.
As we celebrate ten years of ADIS, we reflect on the vision and dedication that has brought us here. Each symposium has been the product of collaboration between a wide range of stakeholders — from African entrepreneurs and global investors to thought leaders and community organizers.
This anniversary is a celebration of our shared journey and a testament to what can be achieved through sustained collaboration. We invite you to join us in marking this momentous occasion, participate in rich discussions, and engage with leaders across sectors who are helping to shape the future of Africa.
Warm regards,
ADIS25 Board Planning Committee
Rick is the CTO of Rippleworks, a nonprofit foundation that is relentlessly focused on the needs of social ventures, providing the practical support entrepreneurs and their teams need to improve more lives across the global south. Previously, he had spent his career as a technologist, starting in the early days of Silicon Valley, from research labs to nascent startups.
As a bold and visionary Pharmacist with over 20 years in the BioPharma industry, Ndeye leads global transformation with courage. Her expertise spans program management, quality control, and global supply chain in both developed and emerging markets, emphasizing Health Equity. Passionate about shaping health systems in Africa, she is passionate about influencing policies for equitable healthcare access. A dynamic leader, she inspires individuals to collaborate seamlessly, fostering a team spirit that achieves exceptional outcomes. As a risk-taker and problem solver, she challenges the status quo, develops innovative solutions, and implements decisive actions for impactful results.
Kedest Tesfagiorgis leads the Global Partnerships & Grand Challenges team within the Discovery & Translational Sciences group at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Kedest is deeply committed to building collaborative, inclusive, long-term partnerships that address the biggest challenges in health and development. Her career has been rooted in the conviction that, as a global community in pursuit of equity, we go faster and further by working together. Kedest is a non-voting member of the board
Attendees
Speakers and Industry Leaders
Countries
Network
Ecosystem Partnerships
