Entrepreneurship through Acquisition: Owning and Growing Businesses in Africa

With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) set to transform Africa’s economic landscape, the potential for intra-African trade is immense. However, realizing this promise requires overcoming political, infrastructural, and logistical hurdles. This panel will examine lessons from other regions and outline concrete strategies to accelerate AfCFTA’s impact, fostering a truly integrated and competitive African market

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This panel will explore the pivotal role of the public sector in fostering Africa's economic transformation through effective policymaking and innovation. By examining successful examples from across the continent, panelists will highlight how strategic government actions have laid the groundwork for thriving private sector initiatives. The discussion will focus on identifying critical policy priorities for the coming years to sustain growth, encourage entrepreneurship, and address systemic challenges. Attendees will gain insights into the collaboration needed between public institutions and private stakeholders to unlock Africa's full potential. Join us for a thought-provoking debate on shaping a prosperous and inclusive future for the continent

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries globally, and while the potential for AI to drive development in Africa has long been recognized, the question remains: is the continent poised to realize this potential? This panel brings together voices in AI innovation, investment, and governance to explore the state of AI on the continent. The discussion will examine how AI is already being applied to solve some of Africa’s unique challenges, from enhancing retail supply chains to improving healthcare delivery. Panelists will also delve into the barriers preventing broader adoption and the ethical considerations of building AI systems for low-resource settings. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the current state of AI in Africa, the opportunities that exist, and the strategies required to bridge the gap between potential and impact

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