African tech and diaspora connect at Silicon Valley event

The African Diaspora Network (ADN) will host the African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS23) in Silicon Valley, California, from March 22 to 24. The event will take place at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View.

ADIS23 marks the eighth annual global convening celebrating the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of Africans, the African Diaspora, and supporters of the continent. This year’s conference will be the first in-person event since transitioning to a virtual platform for the previous two editions.

Conference Theme and Focus

The theme of ADIS23 is “Future Ready: Africa,” aiming to provide solutions and a roadmap for the continent’s advancement in a changing world. The conference will feature discussions on trending innovations and the interconnectedness of sectors including climate change, healthcare, finance, education, and agriculture in Africa.

Demographic Shifts and Economic Challenges

ADN Board Chairman and Founder/Managing Partner of Ignite Venture Studio, Josh Ghaim, highlighted projections indicating Africa’s population will double in the next 25 years, representing a quarter of the world’s population by 2050. He emphasized the need for Africa to adapt to this demographic shift and build resilience amidst global economic disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The symposium seeks to inspire participants to be agents of change in Africa’s development.

Beyond Remittances

In December 2022, ADN and the U.S. Department of State co-hosted a working lunch during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit focused on moving beyond diaspora remittances to explore innovative pathways for growth and development. Remittances from the African Diaspora reached over $80 billion in 2020, alongside aid from foreign investors and partners. ADN Founder and Executive Director, Almaz Negash, stated that the symposium will prioritize discussions on how Africa can plan for the future beyond remittances.

Speakers and Participants

Confirmed speakers for ADIS23 include Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, CEO and General Partner of Future Africa; Abiola Afolayan, Co-Director of Bread for the World’s Policy and Research Institute; Dr. Josephine Fubara, Chief Science Officer, Consumer Healthcare, Sanofi; and Sister Juunza Christabel Mwangani, a Religious Sister of the Holy Spirit from Zambia.