Monday 25 November 2024
Diaspora Impact Forum conference held on Parliament Hill
by Sarah Onyango
Last Thursday, I was privileged to attend the opening day of the 2024 Diaspora Impact Forum conference on Parliament Hill, and what an inspiring and insight-filled event that was! Many thanks to the panelists and moderators of the two panels I managed to watch, to the leaders who delivered remarks in support of this great initiative, and to the Africa Development Network for continuing to rally the African Diasporan troops in Canada through this three-day conference so that we can strengthen ties amongst ourselves and with our continent! Bravo à tous!
Source: Facebook
Recap of the 2024 Diaspora Impact Forum & Announcing the 2025 Edition!
On behalf of the entire Diaspora Impact team, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for the 2024 Diaspora Impact International Business Forum. Held over two exciting days in Ottawa, this event brought together distinguished guests, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals from Canada, Africa, and beyond to engage in enriching discussions on economic partnerships, energy solutions, sustainable agriculture, small business empowerment, and youth entrepreneurship.
The forum featured a variety of expert panels, including:
- Economic Partnerships Umbrella Organizations: Moderated by Florence Ngenzebuhoro, CEO of FN Stratégies & Consulting, this session highlighted the vast potential of collaborative investment opportunities between the Canadian and African diasporas.
- Energy and Power: Focused on overcoming intermittency in renewable energy, this session featured leaders like Dan Klinck (East Africa Power) and Audrey Kroon (Kroon Electric Group).
- Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock Farming: Keynote speaker Olivier Musafiri shared insights on integrating traditional knowledge with modern science for sustainable food systems.
- Small Business and Labor Empowerment: The discussion, moderated by Denise Sielle, emphasized the importance of empowering small businesses and labor forces in the African diaspora.
We were also honored by the presence of many distinguished dignitaries, including:
- Ambassador Higiro Prosper of Rwanda
- Honorable Chandra Arya, Federal MP for Nepean
- Minister Kita Bukusu Freddy, Deputy Minister for Cooperation and the Plan, RDC
- Honorable Greg Fergus, Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada
- H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, African Union Ambassador to the USA
- Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa
The event also featured a youth panel on mentorship and networking for young entrepreneurs, an education panel discussing collaborative models between Canada and Africa, and a predictive analysis session on market trends, weather, agriculture, and mining.
The networking opportunities were outstanding, with participants engaging with potential partners, investors, and collaborators across diverse sectors. We also celebrated the closing with an elegant Gala Night at the Aviation Museum, where we recognized the invaluable contributions of our sponsors and partners.
Key Benefits for Africa, Canada, and the Diaspora:
Promoting Investment and Economic Growth: The forum created valuable opportunities for investment collaboration between Canada and Africa, contributing to the global economy and encouraging cross-border trade.
- Renewable Energy Solutions: By focusing on energy storage and sustainability, the forum explored how these solutions can positively impact both Africa’s and Canada’s energy sectors.
- Supporting Youth Entrepreneurs: The discussions around youth entrepreneurship empowered the next generation of leaders by fostering mentorship, collaboration, and innovation.
- Empowering Small Businesses: The forum highlighted strategies to support small businesses, a key component of economic development in both Africa and Canada.
- Fostering Cultural and Educational Exchange: Educational collaborations between Africa and Canada were explored, paving the way for shared research, curriculum development, and technology transfer.
Looking ahead: We are excited to announce the 2025 edition of the Diaspora Impact International Business Forum, which promises to be even bigger and more impactful. Stay tuned for details!
As we continue to improve our events, we kindly request your feedback. Please take a moment to complete our feedback survey. Your input is invaluable to us as we strive to create better platforms for collaboration and growth.
Thank you once again for your participation, and we look forward to welcoming you next year!
Source: African Development Network