Join YTF’s Founding Executive Director, Njideka Harry, as she reflects on her trip to the 2013 World Economic Forum in Capetown, South Africa.
Last month, YTF was recognized at the World Economic Forum (WEF) as I humbly received the award for “Social Entrepreneur of the Year”. As my first time attending and being a part of the World Economic Forum, it was both an amazing experience and a great opportunity to meet and hold rich discussions with people from the private, public and civil society sector.
Beautiful Cape Town, South Africa, was host to the crème of African society – presidents, prime ministers, diplomats, technocrats and business leaders.
This year’s meeting featured an agenda built around three major pillars: accelerating economic diversification, boosting strategic infrastructure, and unlocking Africa’s talent. Under the theme, “Delivering on Africa’s Promise”, the 23rd World Economic Forum on Africa was an incredibly important platform for regional and global leaders from business, government and civil society to deepen the continent’s integration agenda.
On day one of the forum, I was a discussion leader at the “Partnering for Cyber Resilience” session. Much of Africa’s future is linked to digital connectivity, and as such, the ability to trust the digital environment is a critical component to drive and accelerate inclusive social and economic innovation, investment, growth and competitiveness. As the group first defined the basic capabilities that each country should have in terms of cyber-resilience, a framework emerged to include a clear legislative environment, law enforcement capabilities, as well as education and public awareness campaigns. In addition, we aggregated innovative examples of each component of the framework and identified stakeholders who should ensure the delivery and maintenance of these critical components.
Another interesting session was on “Job Creation in Africa”. There were rich discussions around youth unemployment and what measures need to be taken to create jobs for youth on the continent. One clearly emphasized point was the idea that the current generation of African youth is challenged by not only a lack of skills, but also a lack of work opportunities themselves.
The plenary session on day two was themed “Building with BRICS”, where we addressed the question of how collaboration with the BRICS will empower Africa to deliver on its promise of peace and prosperity. South African President Jacob Zuma emphasized that Africa is changing and so is its attitude towards itself and how it should interact with the rest of the world. South Africa’s participation in BRICS, he said, is a real testament to the transformation that is taking place on the continent and the fact that Africa cannot be ignored any longer. Dr. Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank, stressed the need for Africa to mobilize its own resources for infrastructure.
That evening, I enjoyed meeting other recipients of the social entrepreneurship award and sat down for a dinner with Hilde Schwab, Chairperson and Co-Founder of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, to talk about our work and its impact. It was inspiring to see all the amazing and impactful projects being implemented and, despite the existing challenges, how much good there still is in the world.
On the final day of the Forum, I participated in “Digital Technologies: Unlocking Transformational Growth”, a panel which focused on how communication technologies are catalyzing open, sustainable and inclusive development to serve the over 650 million (and ever increasing) mobile phone subscribers in Africa. I emphasized the fact that the information and communications technology sector (ICT) has been liberalized, and how, in recent years, we have seen mobile phones evolve from a convenience to an essential business tool for entrepreneurs to address pressing business challenges, increase access to newer markets, and operate more efficiently. The session concluded with a shared confidence that Africa will rise with the world in this age as technology enables us to solve our problems in unique ways.
The closing plenary called for Africa’s leaders to build on its achievements to strengthen the continent’s competitiveness, foster inclusive growth, and build resilience in a volatile global environment. I am confident that the discussions at the Forum will produce concrete, practical outcomes. We, as real agents of change, are positioned to take Africa to the next level of development and help the continent deliver on just that. Its promise.
The award from the Schwab Foundation is humbling and truly an honor. It is a testament to the work YTF has done over the years and with this recognition and encouragement we go forward – together.
