AFRICAN SOLUTIONS, GLOBAL CHALLENGES
The goal of the IE Africa Center is to revolutionize the way in which the next generation of global executives understand African innovation. We understand that the intellectual and physical contributions of Africa and its people are not only central to the modern world, but are crucial to contemplate a better future, and believe that the approaches and methodologies being employed by African leaders across different fields can offer instructive lessons for the world..
That’s why we launched African Solutions, Global Challenges – a conference that spotlights African entrepreneurs and executives who have developed local and regional solutions to global challenges. Inspired by French salons, the African Solutions, Global Challenges conference was launched in December 2018, in Accra, to boost and support African business, innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Accra Edition
In December 2018, IE Africa Center launched the inaugural edition of “Africa Solutions, Global Challenges” in Accra, Ghana. The event was designed to create a space to discuss how the African continent’s unique innovations can offer an instructive path to the rest of the world.
With topics ranging from the entrepreneurship ecosystems, to African Fintech’s impact on global banking and financial renaissance, attendees were invited to consider how African change makers are solving dynamic global challenges. A number of IE’s senior leadership and IE Africa Center members were present to provide their insights and expert viewpoints, among them Executive President of IE University, Santiago Iñiguez de Onzoño,.
- Lagos Edition
The Lagos edition of African Solutions, Global Challenges took place in June 2019 and was opened by the President of IE University Santiago Iñiguez. It featured a rich intellectual discussion with high-level speakers from various sectors such as technology, law, agriculture, civil society and Fintech proposing ideas that they have developed to address global challenges.
Speakers at the event included Dr. Nadu Denloye, Co-Founder, Telnet, Ndidi Nwuneli, Managing Partner, Sahel Consulting, Ayuli Jemide, Lead Partner, Detail Commercial Solicitors, Olusegun Adeniyi, Head, Africa Fintech Foundry, Access Bank, Gabriel Okeowo Principal Lead, BudgIT Nigeria and moderated by Tomilayo Aluko Head, TQM, Wholesale Banking Access Bank.
- The Unga Edition
IE Africa Center hosted the third edition of its flagship event series African Solutions, Global Challenges at the Ford Foundation for Social Justice in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Opened by IE University President Santiago Iñiguez, the event featured a rich panel of c-suite executives from diverse African multinationals who are integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into their business models. Panel discussions focused on the opportunities that exist for the private and public sector in SDG Implementation in Africa and the role that strategic communication plays in achieving these goals.
- The London Edition
On March 4, 2020, the fourth edition of the IE Africa Center’s “African Solutions, Global Challenges” forum, took place at London’s Chatham House. SOAS University of London, MIT Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship, The African Foundation for Development and the Royal African Society focused on the ways in which Africa’s diaspora is playing a leading role in defining the future of the continent. A highlight of the event was the two roundtable discussions that focused on generating new solutions and ideas to support African innovation across the diaspora through finance and entrepreneurship.
FEATURED EVENTS
ZOOMIN: Black Civil Rights Movements
We’re celebrating Black History Month on campus with the Zoomin series organised by the IE Africa Club and featuring lectures and talks by IE Africa Center Gurus and Griots Fellows.
How Nations Learn Through Global Transformation
H.E Arkebe Oqubay, Senior Minister and Special Adviser to the Ethiopian Prime Minister delivered a lecture on how nations learn and catch up through global transformation last Thursday on campus at IE. Hosted by the IE Africa Club and the IE Global Transformation Club, Dr. Oqubay spoke on the strategic policy decisions taken by the Ethiopia government to rapidly industrialize.
Private: Lebo Mashile Delivers Powerful Poetry Performance at IE
Lebo Mashile, South African award winning poet, writer, actress and activist, delivered a gutsy performance of 10 poems on race, identity, feminism, body image and memory at IE University yesterday 17 October 2019. Presented by the IE Africa Center in collaboration with the South African Embassy on the occasion of South African Heritage Month, this special performance by Lebo Mashile was captivating and lyrical.