Breakout 3
|
Saturday
|
3:45 pm
Aldrich 107

Unlocking the African Genome: Positioning the Continent as the Next Hub for Genomic Innovation

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?

Unlocking the African Genome: Positioning the Continent as the Next Hub for Genomic Innovation

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?

America/New_York
Feb 15, 2025 3:45 PM
Aldrich 107

Other Sessions

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Lunches
Saturday
|
12:45 pm
Batten HIves 307
Documentary Screening and Q&A | Stand Together as One
Screening of Ethiopia’s 1983 famine documentary, followed by a Q&A with director Salim Amin.
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Documentary Screening and Q&A | Stand Together as One

When drought hit Ethiopia in 1983, millions of people were impacted by famine and one million people starved to death. Kenyan photojournalist Mohamed Amin and his BBC colleagues Michael Buerk and Mike Wooldridge documented the historic events surrounding the famine. These images inspired musicians to stand together and led to the recording of the worldly famous song "We Are The World". Documentary screening followed by a Q&A with Salim Amin, film director and son of late Mohamed Amin.

America/New_York
Feb 15, 2025 12:45 PM
Batten HIves 307
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Keynotes
Saturday
|
2:45 pm
Klarman Auditorium
Governance & Economic Transformation, a conversation with former VP H.E. Mahamudu Bawumia
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia discusses Ghana’s digital transformation, economic growth, and lessons for Africa’s future.
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Governance & Economic Transformation, a conversation with former VP H.E. Mahamudu Bawumia

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s former Vice President, led the country’s digital and economic transformation. In this fireside chat, he will reflect on Ghana’s progress and its lessons for Africa, touching on digitalization, job creation, regional integration, and governance. The session will conclude with an audience Q&A.

America/New_York
Feb 15, 2025 2:45 PM
Klarman Auditorium
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Keynotes
Saturday
|
10:30 am
Klarman Auditorium
Morning Keynote: The AfCFTA Opportunity: Is Africa Ready to Unleash a New Era of Trade?
This panel explores strategies to overcome challenges and accelerate AfCFTA’s impact for a unified, competitive African market.
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Morning Keynote: The AfCFTA Opportunity: Is Africa Ready to Unleash a New Era of Trade?

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

America/New_York
Feb 15, 2025 10:30 AM
Klarman Auditorium