Towards the end of the symposium, participants are then encouraged to develop solutions for achieving these goals through mechanisms such as Ethical AI Innovation and cross-cutting Policy and Advocacy.
Drawing from the conversations in the plenary, these sessions are designed to support community building, impactful exchange and generate tangible commitments, cross-sector collaborations, and investment-ready partnerships that extend beyond the symposium. Each participant is encouraged to arrive with:
The commitments developed will be showcased during the Closing Showcase. Each room will also reflect on policy, advocacy, and governance dimensions to ensure sustainable and scalable impact in their respective sector. These takeaways will be highlighted in ADN’s Summary & Action Report and Diaspora White Paper.
Thursday, March 26, 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM | Santa Clara University
Building on insights from the ‘Innovative for Health’ plenary, this co-design session invites participants to deepen our shared understanding of the current realities, innovations, and structural gaps across Africa’s healthcare landscape. Through collaborative, future-ready dialogue, participants will identify pain points, map emerging opportunities, and connect with peers working toward complementary healthcare goals.
The discussion will focus on Africa’s bioscience and digital health ecosystems - examining innovations transforming care delivery, persistent gaps in access and infrastructure, and the role of AI-enabled tools in strengthening diagnostics, data systems, and patient outcomes.
Thursday, March 26, 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM | Santa Clara University
This co-design session builds from the ‘Capital for Impact’ plenary conversations to establish a shared foundation for understanding the evolving fintech landscape. Participants will collaboratively surface challenges, experiences, and opportunities within Africa's financial innovation ecosystem, and exchange insights with peers driving inclusive digital finance.
The discussion will explore fintech’s role in democratizing access to finance - from inclusive payment systems to digital credit and cross-border solutions. Participants will examine where AI-driven financial tools are enabling new models, and where responsible innovation is needed to protect consumers and strengthen trust. The session will also identify policy and advocacy priorities that can unlock capital flows, align diaspora and global investment with local needs, and support scalable, future-ready fintech models.
Thursday, March 26, 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM | Santa Clara University
Expanding on themes from the ‘Future of Work is African’ plenary, this collaborative design session invites participants to co-create a shared understanding of the innovations, challenges, and opportunities shaping Africa’s education and talent development systems. Through multi-stakeholder dialogue, participants will identify gaps, and share practical insights.
The discussion will examine the state of talent readiness for the innovation economy: Where are the skill gaps? How can education systems evolve to prepare youth for a rapidly changing future of work? Participants will explore the role of AI-powered learning tools, digital infrastructure, and emerging workforce demands. They will also discuss how policy and advocacy efforts can strengthen institutional reform, enable inclusive access to high-quality learning, and catalyze partnerships across academia, industry, and the diaspora.
Friday, March 27, 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM | Santa Clara University
This interactive session brings participants together to translate ideas into concrete solutions, partnerships and commitments that strengthen Africa’s healthcare systems. We’ll begin with a quick recap of key themes from earlier conversations, followed by short insights from select speakers to spark new thinking.
Participants will then work in small groups to explore promising approaches—from technology and talent to policy and partnerships—and co-design actionable concepts. The session concludes with each group identifying concrete next steps and potential collaborations to carry forward after the conference.
Friday, March 27, 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM | Santa Clara University
This action-driven session moves the fintech conversation from shared insights to collective action. We’ll start with a brief recap of key insights from earlier discussions, followed by short talks that highlight innovations in digital payments, financial inclusion, AI-enabled finance, and cross-border investment.
Participants will then work in small groups to co-design practical, scalable solutions—such as new investment mechanisms, credit models, or digital platforms—that can strengthen Africa’s financial systems. Each group will wrap by identifying clear next steps and potential partnerships or pilot concepts to continue building after the conference.
Friday, March 27, 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM | Santa Clara University
This interactive session shifts the conversation from shared understanding to collaborative action, focusing on the future of education, skills, and talent development across Africa. We’ll start with a quick recap of key themes from earlier discussions, followed by brief talks that spark new thinking on AI-powered learning, workforce readiness, and cross-border talent pathways.
Participants will then work in small groups to design practical, scalable solutions—such as training pipelines, innovation fellowships, digital learning tools, or mentorship networks—and consider the policy or funding support needed to bring them to life. Each group will conclude by outlining clear next steps and potential collaborations to pursue after the conference.
Friday, March 27, 2:00 - 3:00 PM | Santa Clara University
This session brings participants together to turn insights from the AI plenary into practical next steps. After a brief framing and quick spark talks, participants will work in small groups to explore:
AI-enabled solutions for healthcare, fintech, and talent development
Strategies for equitable data ecosystems
Potential partnerships, pilots, or investment opportunities
Ethical and governance approaches that ensure fairness and accountability
Each group will close by identifying 1–3 concrete actions or collaborations to share in the Closing Showcase.
Friday, March 27, 2:00 - 3:00 PM | Santa Clara University
This workshop turns insights from the advocacy plenary into concrete strategies for shaping policy and strengthening diaspora influence. After a brief framing and quick speaker insights, participants will work in small groups to:
Map priority policy reforms across healthcare, fintech, talent development, and entrepreneurship
Identify advocacy coalitions and partnerships for maximum impact
Explore diaspora engagement pathways to influence policy and mobilize investment
Define 2-3 tangible advocacy actions or campaigns that can be advanced beyond ADIS26
Each group will close by outlining clear commitments and collaborations to showcase during the Closing Showcase.
