Event description and registration
It is time to reframe the narrative on African successes and innovation.
On December 12, high-level experts and innovators at AfriNEXT—a conference hosted by the Atlantic Council and global development company DAI— will showcase the strong business case for investment in African markets, as well as the importance of situating investments and other partnerships squarely in local contexts. They’ll also share perspectives on all that lies ahead for the African continent, including the rising power of its youth, the impact of digitalization, and the threat of climate change.
In person registration
Virtual registration
Agenda
8:30 am – 9:00 am – Welcome coffee/breakfast
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9:05 am – 9:15 am – Keynote
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9:15 am – 10:00 am – Plenary session: Digitizing Africa: The innovations behind Africa’s digital transformation
Thea Anderson, Director, Responsible Technology, Omidyar Network
Fernando Loureiro, Executive Director Government Affairs for Latin America and Africa, Intel Henri Nyakarundi; Founder, ARED Group, Inc.
Moderated by
Jackson M’vunganyi, Co-Host, Voice of America’s Up Front
10:05 am – 10:50 am – Plenary session: The African diaspora: Driving change on the continent
Worku Gachou, Head of North American Inclusive Impact & Sustainability, Visa
Melvin Foote, President and CEO, Constituency for Africa
Deniece Laurent-Mantey, Executive Director, President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States
Moderated by
Tonija Hope, Director, Ralph Bunche International Affairs Center, Howard University
11:05 am – 11:50 am – Panel 1a: Youthquake: The transformative role of youth in shaping Africa’s future
Lual Mayen, CEO, Junub Games
Moussa Kondo, Executive Director, Sahel Institute
Jackson M’vunganyi, Co-Host, Voice of America’s Up Front
Moderated by
Rutendo Mudzamiri, Director of Development, Freedom & Prosperity Center, Atlantic Council
11:05 am – 11:50 am – Panel 1b: The next green revolution: Investing in Africa’s agricultural sector
Simba Mhungu, COO, CBZ Agro-Yield
Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director, Kosmos Innovation Center
Moderated by
Philip Gasaatura, Country Director Rwanda, Katapult Africa
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm – Plenary session – The future of African climate finance
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1:15 pm – 1:40 pm – Lunchtime chat: COP28 and the intersection of health and climate for Africa
Daniella Foster, SVP Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability, Bayer Consumer Health and Board Chair; UN Global Compact Network USA
Moderated by
Larry Madowo, CNN International Correspondent and host, African Voices Changemakers
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm – Panel 2a: Incubating African entrepreneurship
Rebecca Harrison, CEO, African Management Institute
Betty Bulongo, Independent fashion designer and Entrepreneurship Trainer and Consultant
Deirdre White, CEO, Pyxera Global
Moderated by
Diana Marrero, SVP, Foreign Policy
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm – Panel 2b: Reflections on COP28: An Africa-focused climate adaptation agenda
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2:45 pm – 3:30 pm – Panel 3a: From day one: Advancing women’s leadership in Africa
Rebecca Harrison, CEO, African Management Institute
Anita Erskine, CEO, Erskine Global Communications
Betty Bulongo, Independent fashion designer and Entrepreneurship Trainer and Consultant
Moderated by
Sarah Zaaimi, Deputy Director for Communications, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East Programs, Atlantic Council
2:45 pm – 3:30 pm – Panel 3b: On the rise: Africa’s startup ecosystem
Philip Gasaatura, Country Director Rwanda, Katapult Africa
Henri Nyakarundi, Founder, ARED Group, Inc.
Justin James, Head of Investments, Fireball Capital
Moderated by
Aniko Szigetvari, Founding Partner, Atlantica Ventures VC Fund
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm – Panel 4a: The innovation landscape of private investment in Africa
Ken Sharpe, Chairman and CEO, West Property Zimbabwe
Paula Mokwena, CEO, Fireball Capital
Simba Mhungu, COO, CBZ Agro-Yield
Moderated by
Joe Abah, Nigeria Country Director, DAI
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm – Panel 4b: The agribusiness revolution: Rethinking how we feed the future
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4:50 pm – 5:20 pm – Fireside chat: One billion bricks: Reimagining African development
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5:20 pm – 6:30 pm – Networking cocktail
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Speakers
Joe Abah
Nigeria Country Director
DAI
Nigeria
Thea Anderson
Director, Responsible Technology
Omidyar Network
USA
Betty Beenzu Chilonde
Independent fashion designer, entrepreneur trainer and consultant
Zambia
Anita Erskine
CEO
Erskine Global Communications
Ghana/Canada
Daniella Foster
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability
Bayer;
Consumer Health and Board Chair
UN Global Compact Network USA
Worku Gachou
Head of North American Inclusive Impact & Sustainability
Visa
USA
Ousman Gajigo
Director
Seeds for Prosperity
Gambia
Benjamin Gyan-Kesse
Executive Director
Kosmos Innovation Center
Ghana/Senegal/Mauritania
Rebecca Harrison
CEO
African Management Institute
Kenya
Justin James
Head of Investment Risk
Fireball Capital
South Africa
Deniece Laurent-Mantey
Executive Director
President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States
USA
Fernando Loureiro
Executive Director, Government Affairs, Latin America and Africa
Intel
USA
Larry Madowo
International Correspondent
CNN
Kenya
Lual Mayen
CEO
Junub Games
South Sudan/USA
Simba Mhungu
COO
CBZ Agro-Yield
Henri Nyakarundi
Founder, ARED Group, Inc.
Jehiel Oliver
CEO
Hello Tractor
Kenya
Ken Sharpe
Chairman and CEO
West Property
Zimbabwe
Aniko Szigetvari
Founding Partner
Atlantica Ventures VC Fund
USA
In partnership with
The Africa Center works to promote dynamic geopolitical partnerships with African states and to redirect US and European policy priorities toward strengthening security and bolstering economic growth and prosperity on the continent.
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