MIT Africa Innovate Conference

The MIT Sloan Africa Business Club is proud to announce 7th MIT Africa Innovate Conference, to be
held at the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, MA on April 7th and 8th, 2017.

Africa Innovate
Conference 2017: Ideas to Impact

How can innovative and
promising ideas take root and transform into sustainable and impactful
businesses in Africa? This is the central question of the 2017 Africa Innovate
Conference. The panels will follow the African entrepreneurship process,
from idea generation to the levers necessary for ventures to be
successful in Africa. We will discuss the financing mechanisms available
for entrepreneurship in African, and will dissect the common reasons for
failure for African entrepreneurs. The goal is for participants to
turn their ideas, and the ideas generated from the conference into solutions
that will impact every corner of Africa. The closing keynote speaker this year will be Her Excellency Ameenah
Gurib, President of the Republic of Mauritius.

Limited quantity early bird tickets are
available until March 20^th. Register for the conference

Follow us on Facebook for regular updates about the speakers and conference.

Conference Details

Friday, April 7, 2017

VIP Networking Dinner: We will kick off the conference with an intimate dinner with
panelists, entrepreneurs, investors and special guests. The VIP
dinner’s theme is “Design to Impact”, as we focus on arts and humanities
and how these fields can bring impact to Africa. The keynote speakers for the
night will be Zim Ugochukwu, CEO of Travel Noire and Oke Maduewesi, CEO of Zaron Group.

Saturday, April 8, 2017

Keynote Speakers: We will host accomplished and inspirational keynote speakers who
will share their experiences, perspectives and vision for the continent with
our guests! We are pleased to announce the following keynote speakers: Her Excellency Ameenah Gurib; President of the
Republic of Mauritius; and Mr. Ola Oresanya Managing Director, Globetech Remedial.

Panel Discussions: Our guests will be taken on an exploratory journey along the
experience of the African entrepreneur. Our panelists will include industry and
public sector experts in each of the areas of focus. The panels will focus on (i)
Conditions for success; (ii) Ideation; (iii) Financing; (iv) and
Entrepreneurship

Vision Talks: As in previous years, we will be sharing perspectives on the
future of Africa through our vision talks. We will be joined this year by Mr.
Abayomi Awobokun, CEO of Oando’s Downstream Businesses and Sbusiso Leope (DJ
Sbu), co-founder of MoFaya.

Idea Pitch Competition: We will hold a pitch competition focusing on ideas with the
potential to bring about the most impact in Africa.  All student teams are
welcome to apply, if interested, please apply here.

After Party: We will be hosting our afterparty with
Afrotown Music at Cure Lounge, one of Boston’s Premiere Nightclub. Afrotown is
a Boston based Music Label that combines Afrobeat and Motown. There will be a
live performance by Suki Yaki and Muffius.

We hope to see you at
the conference on April 7-8!

Ideas to Impact