Diaspora-Driven Entrepreneurship: Bridging Markets and Scaling African Ventures

For too long, philanthropy and traditional nonprofits have been the primary avenues for empowering communities across Africa. This panel will explore how entrepreneurship can serve as a transformative tool to drive lasting impact without relying on handouts. Bringing together impact investors, entrepreneurs, and VCs, we will discuss strategies to build sustainable, scalable enterprises that transcend borders and create real change across the continent. Attendees will hear firsthand from investors and founders on the trade-offs and synergies between profitability and purpose.

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This session will examine how the growth in wealth and the expanding middle class across Africa can fuel a new model of philanthropy. Isaac will discuss a recently published, groundbreaking report that draws insights from key stakeholders and real-world examples to highlight the primary drivers behind HNWI philanthropy in Africa and the future direction of giving on the continent. A key feature of the report is how governments can catalyze strategic philanthropy through effective tax incentives. Together, we will explore how philanthropy on the continent can be maximized and how it should be structured, measured, and deployed for maximum impact

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Despite flashes of global attention, African fashion brands often struggle to achieve lasting prominence. Too often, Africa’s fashion industry is measured against Western frameworks - fashion houses, fashion weeks, and global runways - that fail to align with the continent’s unique resources, market dynamics, and strengths like sustainability and local artisanship. This panel will challenge these conventions, exploring how African brands can forge a resilient and distinctly African fashion ecosystem by harnessing the talent, traditions, and opportunities already present within the continent, to create a model that thrives locally and competes globally.

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