Ubuntu Meets Harambee: Unveiling the New Era of African Philanthropy

This panel examines how African nations are transforming historical sites into drivers of economic growth. Heritage trails across the continent are showcasing pre-colonial innovations, cultural richness, and environmental stewardship while empowering local communities. From conservation initiatives to agritourism, these efforts attract global visitors and strengthen economic resilience. Our conversation will showcase how Africa is reclaiming historical narratives and discuss key insights on expanding heritage-driven activities across the continent.

This panel is co-sponsored by the Business of Doing Good Summit Series Consortium: Global Economic Development, honoring leaders and organizations championing transformative progress

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The African genome, one of the most genetically diverse yet understudied, holds immense potential to transform global healthcare. As the cradle of human life, Africa’s genetic diversity is key to understanding the foundations of humanity. Unlocking its secrets could lead to breakthroughs in disease treatments, drug development, and personalized medicine. However, realizing this potential will require significant financial investment, capacity building, and robust ethical frameworks to ensure Africa benefits from these advancements while preventing exploitation.

This panel seeks to answer the following questions: How can understanding the African genome save lives globally? How can Africa become a biotech leader in the genomic era? And crucially, what innovative funding models can be developed to support genomic research in Africa while ensuring equitable returns for African communities?

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Africa’s agricultural sector remains heavily dependent on raw commodity exports, with value addition accounting for just 10-15% of total exports. This limits the continent’s ability to fully benefit from global and regional markets for processed goods. Despite decades of efforts to improve subsistence farming, food systems and livelihoods have seen little transformation.

This panel will explore how demand-driven value addition, branding, and storytelling—supported by the right investments and ecosystem partnerships—can drive sector growth, enhance food security, and unlock economic potential. Panelists from across the value chain will discuss key gaps, opportunities, and actionable pathways to create and capture value in Africa’s agricultural ecosystem.

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