16/12/2023
The AfriNEXT conference held in Washington, D.C., on December 12, 2023, curated by the Atlantic Council and Global development company DAI, was a transformative experience. The event aimed to reshape the narrative around African successes and innovation, with a particular focus on the rise of youth-led businesses and the creative industry
Keynote Remarks:
H.E. Amina Mohammed delivered keynote remarks, setting the tone for discussions on the importance of Africa's successes globally. Ambassador Rama Yade provided introductory remarks, emphasizing the significance of youth-led businesses and the creative industry.
The AfriNEXT conference provided an enriching platform for BICS to showcase its impactful work and contribute to critical discussions shaping the future of Africa's creative and entrepreneurial landscape. Betty B Chilonde's active participation underscored BICS's commitment to fostering innovation, education, and sustainable practices within Zambia's young creative community
BICS Lightning Talk
Betty B Chilonde, Co-founder of Bulongo Incubator for Creative Skills (BICS), had the honor of representing the organization and delivering a lightning talk. Founded in 2016 and re-registered in 2022, BICS is at the forefront, providing business development, education, innovation, and technology support for design-oriented creatives in Zambia.
Watch the lightning talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AX_oqdrdYo&authuser=0
Panel Discussions
1.Women's Leadership in Africa
Betty B Chilonde joined trailblazers Rebecca Harrison and Anita Erskine in a conversation moderated by Sara Zaaimi. The discussion revolved around reshaping the narrative on women's leadership in Africa. Emphasis was placed on infusing modern perspectives into mentorship strategies for women entrepreneurs, bridging the generational gap.
Watch the conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyZEG1y59Mk&authuser=0
2.Entrepreneurship and creative businesses to Bridge Job Gap in Africa:
Betty B Chilonde shared the stage with Deidre White in a discussion moderated by Diana Marrero. The conversation focused on scaling creative businesses in Africa to address the growing job gap. Critical components highlighted included finance, education, and technology, with an emphasis on skills development and circular business modeling to mitigate climate change.
Watch the full event: https://bit.ly/46VYSCU
Photos by Atlantic Council