The Courtyard by Marrriott hotel on Dalhousie Street brought together diplomats, academics and business innovators as the the Global Economic Institute Africa held an inspiring workshop entitled: entrepreneurship, Innovation, Philanthropy and economic development: Emerging trends and future possibilities. Founder and CEO of Gemstop Group Dr. Fela Durotoye kicked off the proceedings by challenging the conventional perspective of Africa as a consumer “nation”. He emphasized the vast business and economic potential the continent hel if only leaders and industry could harness the immense human and material resources they have. Keynote speaker His Excellency Dr. Sulley Gariba also waded in on the theme, affirming that Africa and African have a rich history of entrepreneurship, starting the market women selling their wares to cattle farmers counting their stock. Dr. Habiba Chakir, director of International partnerships African Institute of Mathematical Sciences took the audience through the evolution of their network of centres of excellence for postgraduate education, research and outreach, which has now expanded to over fifteen countries across Africa. A panel of seven experts further explored this theme later in the day.
