By Ngozi Nwoke
In a bid to showcase Africa’s innovation landscape, organisers of the “Africa in Motion” event brought together some of the continent’s brightest minds to celebrate their vision and creativity.
The event, which was a spectacular display of African ingenuity, featured a curated programme of panel discussions, storytelling, and musical performances.
The celebration was organised by the Gates Foundation with the aim of highlighting the continent’s most innovative and forward-thinking individuals.
The event was hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, a Nigerian media personality known for his wit and charm.
The panel discussions featured a diverse range of African thought leaders, including Ileoluwa Dare-Johnson, Eniola Mafe-Abaga, Folly Bah Thibault, and Lehlé Baldé.
These individuals shared their insights and experiences on the most pressing issues facing the continent and engaged in a lively debate on the future of African innovation.
In the words of one of the panelists, Ileoluwa Dare-Johnson noted, “This is a celebration of the continent’s most innovative and forward-thinking individuals and a showcase of the incredible talent and creativity that Africa has to offer.”
She emphasised the importance of events like this in showcasing Africa’s talent and creativity to a global audience, particularly as Nigeria continues to emerge as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa.
“The event is an initiative to accelerate progress towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by sharing stories behind the global goals through annual gatherings.”
Similarly, another panelist, Eniola Mafe-Abaga, stated, “The celebration was also to inspire a new generation of leaders, goalkeepers who raise awareness of progress, hold their leaders accountable, and drive action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
“These goals range from ending extreme poverty and hunger to improving healthy living, education, gender equality, and justice, and combating climate
In addition to the panel discussions, the event also featured musical performances curated by the acclaimed Nigerian musician, M.I Abaga. The performances were a highlight of the evening, with M.I Abaga’s signature blend of hip-hop and Afrobeats.
The event was free for all to attend, especially for people interested in African innovation, entrepreneurship, and culture.
With its diverse range of panelists and performers, the event was a testament to the boundless potential of African innovation.
The panel discussions, storytelling, and musical performances were an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
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