ANDE Africa Newsletter | May 2024 Edition
ANDE West Africa
The West Africa Chapter of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE)
Welcome to our May edition of ANDE's Pan African newsletter. Get ready for the upcoming Global Annual Conference and stay informed about key dates and issues. On the spotlight: the vision of member WYLDE International. We warmly welcome the Graça Machel Trust to the network. Allow us to keep you informed to maximize your engagement and make the most of available opportunities.
Let’s dive in.
We're calling all innovators and small business champions. Join us in shaping the future of small business ecosystems at the ANDE Global Annual Conference from September 10 to 12 in Bangkok, Thailand.
We've received dozens of intriguing and thought-provoking proposals, and this Annual Conference promises no dull moment. Still, there's space for more.
The deadline for submitting your session ideas is approaching quickly. Don't wait until May 24. The selection committee reviews proposals on a rolling basis, so submit your session proposals to be among the first to set the agenda.
We're looking for revolutionary ideas and practical solutions to drive small business growth. Whether you're new to building small business ecosystems, a seasoned investor, academic, entrepreneur, or just starting out, your insights are invaluable.
Let's collaborate and make a lasting impact.
Themes to Spark Your Creativity:
P.S. While anyone can submit ideas for sessions, ANDE members have the unique opportunity to lead them at the Annual Conference. Consider partnering with an ANDE member, or even better, apply for your organization to become a member and unlock this exclusive benefit.
Early bird registration until May 31st
Additionally, remember that early bird pricing for the conference ends on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Register now to take advantage of the discounted rate and secure your spot at this must-attend event.
We look forward to your valuable contributions and to seeing you this September 10 at the conference. If you have any questions, please contact the ANDE Events team.
Call for Proposals: Research on Women in the Clean Energy Sector With support from the International Development Research Centre(IDRC), ANDE launched an initiative to fund six research projects, each with grants eligible to receive up to USD 60,000.
The call for proposals is now open and will close on May 31, 2024.
Advocating for Women and Children
Founded in 2010, the Graça Machel Trust is a Pan-African organization dedicated to child health, education, women’s empowerment, and good governance. Over a decade, it has aimed to "Multiply the Faces and Amplify the Voices" of African women and children. The Trust collaborates with various partners to strengthen networks that drive social and economic change. It works across Africa to protect children's rights and promote women’s roles in development, influencing policies and advocating for social justice and the rights of women and children.
WYLDE International
Meet Christopher Odongo, co-founder and CEO of WYLDE International. On WYLDE's 20th anniversary, he reflects on their journey and how WYLDE's coaching and training programs have impacted entrepreneurs.
West Africa Updates
Strategic Partnership on ESG Knowledge Sharing The ANDE West Africa Chapter is excited to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the ANDE West Africa Chapter and Development Bank Ghana marking the beginning of a strategic partnership focused on ESG knowledge sharing. This collaboration kicked off during the ESG Forum at the 3i Africa Summit, and will leverage insights gained for future ANDE convenings including the ANDE Pan-African Climate and Environment Working Group to drive the ESG narrative forward.
The ESG forum at the 3i Africa Summit aimed to tackle sustainability challenges, transparent governance, and equitable progress, aligning with ESG goals to shape the future of finance.
Em Ekong, Regional Head of the ANDE West Africa Chapter, opened the ESG Forum on May 15th. Following this, three panel sessions delved into discussions on:
Here are the key takeaways from the sessions:
The Climate Action Africa Forum (CAAF24) Date: 19-20 June, 2024 Climate Action Africa (CAA), in partnership with the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Channels Media Group, and Silicon Valley-based Founder Institute, has announced the inaugural edition of the Climate Action Africa Forum (CAAF24). This international event aims to bring together stakeholders from across the world who drive thought-leadership insights on how to encourage collaboration, catalyse actionable solutions, and urge governments, businesses, and individuals to invest in climate-smart initiatives. The forum's theme is "Green Economies, Brighter Future: Innovating and Investing in Africa's Climate-Smart Development," and it is billed to be held on June 19th and 20th at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The flagship of CAAF24 is the Deal Room, where organisations such as the NSIA: Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, The Catalyst Fund, the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), the African Development Bank (AFDB) and many more that are looking to support climate-related solutions will be present. Register to attend here and for innovations for the deal room visit here.
Senegal 2024 ~ Dak'Art Festival | Travel Africa Movement Date: 15 May – 16 June, 2024 Location: Route de la Corniche Ouest Fann Résidence, Dakar Senegal Dak’Art: African Contemporary Art Biennale has announced the theme, artist list and guest curators of its upcoming 15th edition. Entitled The Wake, Dak’Art 2024 will explore the relationship between art, society, the climate and history, particularly in the context of Dakar. Calling for an awakening to the social and environmental crises confronting the world, the biennial positions artists as the drivers of a new global narrative. Learn more.
Forum De L’Audit et du Controle de Gestion | Business Africa Date: 1 June, 2024 Location: Hotel Radisson BLU, DAKAR An annual event for professionals from the world of figures, the Audit and Management Control Forum will bring together over 200 participants to discuss issues as diverse as :
● Audit & Corporate Performance in the face of new corporate governance challenges
● The challenges and limits of outsourcing management control
● Digital Impact on Audit and Control Methods
● Statutory Auditors: Challenges and Perspectives
For more info, click here.
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Discovering What Works in Côte d'Ivoire | Entreprendre Intelligemment Date : 1 June, 2024 Location : Radisson Blu Hotel, Dakar, Senegal Meet successful entrepreneurs, business experts and industry leaders to learn more about the Ivorian market and the keys to successful entrepreneurship in Côte d'Ivoire. Don't miss this unique opportunity to make valuable connections and discover investment opportunities in this dynamic country. Reserve now
FIT4Mentorship Mentor Programme | BongoHive Innovation & Technology Hub Deadline: 31 May, 2024 The African tech industry has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with the continent’s startup ecosystem attracting over $5 billion in investments in 2022 alone. However, despite this growth, women’s participation in the African tech industry remains disproportionately low as only 20% of tech startups funded in Africa in 2022 had a female founder, highlighting the persistent gender imbalance in the sector. Learn more.
MVP Lab 221 Cohort 2 | Impact Hub - PitchPalabre^2 - KPC Consortium Senegal & Koica Senegal Deadline: 2 June 2024 Applications for MVP Lab 221 Cohort 2 are now open. Impact Hub Dakar and PitchPalabre^2, in partnership with the KPC Consortium Senegal and Koica Senegal, invite entrepreneurs to apply for tailored support to propel their businesses towards sustained, structured growth. Apply Now
Zayed Sustainability Prize | Zayed & Impact Hub Deadline: 23 June 2024 For over 16 years, the Zayed Prize for Sustainable Development has recognized and rewarded sustainable solutions on a global scale. They are looking for Senegalese innovators in the fields of health, food, energy, water, climate action and high schools. Do you have a sustainable, game-changing solution? Apply now.
Southern Africa Updates
Webinar: From Zambia to Silicon Valley Date: 24 May 2024 | 6 PM - 7PM CAT Join Entrepreneur & Software Engineer, Michael Moyo as he shares his inspirational journey moving from Zambia to Silicon Valley where he builds a groundbreaking Generative Artificial Intelligence startup backed by Y Combinator. By joining the session, you will gain valuable perspectives on navigating the tech industry, building a startup, fundraising, seizing opportunities, and overcoming obstacles along the way.
Young African Climate Changemakers’ Challenge Are you a young African climate changemaker? Ashoka's 'Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge' in collaboration with the Anglo American Foundation is calling on young people aged 16 – 25 across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana to unleash their innovation in tackling climate change through ideas and existing initiatives. Learn more and apply here.
Beyond the Ballot: Decoding the Future for SMEs after the 2024 General Elections Date: 31 May 2024 | 6PM - 9PM SAST Location: Workshop17 Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa Following the upcoming 2024 general elections in South Africa, the event will explore the potential impact on small and medium-sized enterprises. A panel of experts will discuss prospective legislative changes, economic developments, and business opportunities that could emerge. Whether you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or industry expert, this event offers vital insights and strategies for navigating the post-election landscape. Register now to secure your ticket. Entrepreneurship Education in Africa (EEA) Summit Date: 7 August 2023 Location: African Leadership Academy (ALA), Johannesburg, South Africa Registrations for this year's Entrepreneurship Education in Africa (EEA) Summit are now open! Attending the EEA Summit this year will provide you with invaluable opportunities to expand your knowledge, network with industry experts, and gain insights from successful entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship educators. Click here to register.
Navigating Innovation in Zambia: A Survey of the Business Landscape Are you spearheading innovation within your institution? BongoHive Technology & Innovation Hub is excited to invite your organisation to participate in their Innovation Survey, focusing specifically on the business landscape in Zambia. Your participation will provide valuable perspectives on the current state of innovation, the challenges faced, and the opportunities that lie ahead. Click here to fill in the survey.
East Africa Updates
ANDE Ethiopia Convening ANDE East Africa hosted an Ethiopia Convening on 15th May at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa with the aim of strengthening Ethiopia's entrepreneurship ecosystem. Attendees included various stakeholders, such as investors, capacity developers, and international organizations. The goal was to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of entrepreneurship support organizations (ESOs) in Ethiopia, aligning them with international best practices. Discussions focused on scalable business models, the importance of collaboration to avoid duplication of efforts and strategies for financial sustainability. The convening also emphasized the need for localized program design solutions while incorporating international perspectives. This event was the first in a series planned to support ESOs in Ethiopia.
Impact Measurement and Management Training for African SMEs based on SDG Impact Standards Date: 15-16 July 2024 | Emara Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya As a side event to the Africa Impact Summit 2024, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through its Africa Sustainable Finance Hub (ASFH), the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), and the Africa Impact Investing Group (AIIG) offer the Impact Measurement and Management Training based on the SDG Impact Standards to enable African SMEs to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while future-proofing their business to a changing world. It makes it easier for organizations to reshape their internal management practices to put impact and sustainability at the core of their business and company strategy. After attending the training, attendees are expected to be fully equipped to utilize the SDG Impact Standards, measure their SME’s impact, and manage for impact.
The SDG Impact Standards, developed by UNDP, provide a universal framework and management approach for the advancement of sustainability and the SDGs amongst businesses, investors, and policymakers. The Impact Measurement and Management Training targets African sustainability champions and offers a platform for exchange with like-minded SMEs to grow a network of industry leaders committed to moving from seeing the SDGs as an add-on to what business gets done to how all business gets done. Apply for the training here.
The 2024 Africa Impact Summit | Nairobi, Kenya Date: 17-19 July 2024 | Emara Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya The 2024 Africa Impact Summit will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 17 - 19 July, organized in partnership with Impact Investing Kenya, the Africa Impact Investing Group consisting of Impact Investing National Advisory Boards and country task forces in collaboration with the Global Steering Group on Impact Investing-GSG. This year’s summit will deepen its focus on dialogue, deal-making, networking, and knowledge sharing while amplifying the endless opportunities for governments, philanthropy, investors, and entrepreneurs to contribute to Africa’s sustainable development and create transformational change on the continent. Visit this site to learn more and book your seat at the 2024 Africa Impact Summit.
Sector Events and Opportunities
The Impact West Africa Fellowship program The Aspen Global Innovators Group, in partnership with Niyel, launched the Impact West Africa Fellowship program to amplify the voices of West African leaders. This initiative, inaugurated in Senegal in 2023, aims to cultivate a new generation of development advocates, spotlighting Francophone and Anglophone issues.
Become a Fellow: Fellows will join a network of influencers, gain visibility for their work, receive peer support, and enhance their skills through workshops and mentorship. The fellowship includes immersive convenings, advocacy engagement, virtual trainings, and professional mentorship, spanning 12 months. Apply by June 14th to advance your advocacy goals in West Africa. Apply today
Sector Resources
Unleashing Change: A Practical Guide to Impact Investing in South Africa ANDE, in partnership with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, has released this in-depth guide authored by the law firm Allen & Overy to offer crucial insights into South Africa's impact investing ecosystem, empowering investors to make informed decisions. Download the guide and explore our key takeaways.
What the Frontrunners are Doing This report offers insights into the status of gender inclusion in the African ecosystem and the learnings that emerged during this collaboration based on this sample of ESOs and startups interested in gender inclusion. It offers actionable recommendations for entrepreneurial support organizations and digital technology startups to further advance gender inclusion and build upon the progress achieved so far. Access the report here.
Driving Transformational Entrepreneurship - SMMEs as a Positive Catalyst for Change This report focuses on small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) as the dynamic forces driving positive transformation in the current economic environment. Download here
African Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Index (AEEI) The newly launched African Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Index compares entrepreneurial ecosystems across 27 African countries for which data is available. Access the live statistics here.
Job Openings
Membership Mobilizer. Pollinate Impact. Virtual. Deadline: June, 2024. Apply at Pollinate Impact.
Division Manager, Financial Solutions. African Development Bank. Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Deadline: 20th June, 2024. Apply African Development Bank.
Regional Director. New Energy Nexus. Nairobi, Kenya. Apply at New Energy Nexus.
Visit ANDE's Career Center to learn more about these and other sector job opportunities from ANDE Members; if you are a member and have a vacancy, submit details here.
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