Across four days in Botswana, the second-ever Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa brought together entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries, harnessing the power of entrepreneurial capitalism on the continent whose growth will help define the 21st century.
On April 23 to 26, 2023, more than 1,000 entrepreneurs and young leaders met in Gaborone, the country’s capital city. Innovators from every sector provided inspiration for the newest—and next—generation of business leaders with a pan-African focus. Local performers, chefs and entrepreneurs presented the sounds, cuisine and staples of an African cultural experience amid unbeatable networking and pitching opportunities.
Keep scrolling for recap conversations with the esteemed speakers and coverage of the event’s exciting immersive opportunities.
Forbes’ Chief Content Officer Randall Lane walks with the President and First Lady of Botswana into the Pan-African Welcome Celebration kicking off the 2023 Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa on Sunday April 23, 2023.
Ilan Godfrey for Forbes
The Pan-African Welcome Celebration
Thousands of local community members gathered in Gaborone’s Main Mall for a kickoff event, open air market, local food and drinks, and a musical set of pan-African performers including Sauti Sol, Amantle Brown and ATI and headlined by multiplatinum-selling singer Nomcebo Zikode. His Excellency Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi, the president of the Republic of Botswana, joined in the dancing alongside the global cohort gathered in the name of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Scenes from the Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa concert in Gaborone, Botswana in April 2023.
Ilan Godfrey for Forbes
Entrepreneurship—The Economic Engine Driving Africa’s Century
One year ago, during the first-ever Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa, the president of Botswana announced a new government department—the Ministry of Entrepreneurship—the first of its kind on the continent. From job creation, to innovation, to wealth generation, he kicked off the main day of programming when the event returned in 2023, speaking about the country’s leading role in establishing entrepreneurship as the defining narrative of Africa’s economic growth.
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From Homeless To CEO: A Kenyan Tech Tycoon’s Model For Innovative Healthcare
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“Every one of us, every day, can make a conscious decision to tell one positive tale about our countries, one positive tale about the continent.”
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Davido Shares His Career Journey And Thoughts On The Global Business Of Afrobeats
Afrobeats is in the midst of a global renaissance. The distinctly African sound has gone global, largely in thanks to Afrobeats superstar Davido, who has amassed 2 billion-plus streams and over 1 billion video views across his 11-year career. The most followed Afrobeats artist across social media, Davido has been a frontrunner in connecting the world to Afrobeats and vice versa. He talks tunes, his Nigerian record label (Davido Music Worldwide), his nonprofit (David Adeleke Foundation) and how maintaining his African roots has translated into dollar signs over time.
Also: Inside Davido’s Global Musical Empire
Exploring The African Landscape
On Tuesday April 25, the Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa took participants across Gaborone for a full day of outdoor programming, bringing pan-African experiences into one space. Audiences had the opportunity to witness local fauna during game drives at Mokolodi Nature Reserve, to learn about the beauty and threats of Botswana’s Okavango Delta during a screening of the National Geographic film Nkashi: Race for the Okavango, to pitch their businesses to a panel of venture capitalists based around the world, and to purchase products from entrepreneurs displaying foods, beverages, jewelry, cosmetics and garments made in six different nations as part of the Africa Showcase. The day also featured a panel focused on building a sustainable future, then concluded with a Bush Party headlined by Davido.
Event attendees participate in a game drive at Mokolodi Nature Reserve in Gaborone, Botswana on Tuesday April 25, 2023.
Kirsten Taggart
Nomcedo Zikode performs at the summit’s closing Bush Party, held at Waterstone Events & Conferencing in Gaborone, Botswana on Tuesday April 25, 2023.
Ilan Godrey for Forbes’Getting Back To Doing My Job’: Nigerian Superstar Davido Opens Up
Botswana’s Business Model for Early Childhood Education
To conclude the Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa, 50 participants gathered for a Service Day on Wednesday April 26, giving back to the event’s host city. The half-day “idea-a-thon” focused on early childhood education, bringing together the great minds of young entrepreneurs from around the world to brainstorm longterm, sustainable business models for successful and impactful daycare centers across Botswana—and beyond.
Scenes from Service Day at the Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa in Gaborone, Botswana on April 26, 2023.
Ilan Godfrey for ForbesForbesForbes Gathers The Best And Brightest Young Entrepreneurs in Botswana For The Second Annual Forbes Under 30 SummitBy ‘This Summit Is The Most Important Event For Any Serious Young Entrepreneur’: The Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa Opens In Gaborone
Also: Explore the inaugural Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa. which took place in Botswana in April 2022.
Video by Kirsten Taggart and Riley Hallaway; photos by Ilan Godfrey for Forbes.
Source link : https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesunder30team/2023/05/02/2023-forbes-under-30-summit-africa/
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Publish date : 2023-05-02 07:00:00
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