Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) hosted its inaugural West African Think Summit on October 10, 2024, at Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. The summit gathered global thought leaders, innovators, and industry experts to engage in high-level discussions around the theme, “Future Reimagined”.
With a focus on navigating economic transformations, pioneering sustainable solutions, driving digital innovation, and redefining leadership in a rapidly evolving world, the event provided fresh insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Africa.
The CEO of RMB Nigeria, Bayo Ajayi, set an inspiring tone for the day, urging bold thinking and collaboration.
“I encourage all of us to think boldly, challenge norms, and collaborate openly as we explore what lies ahead for Africa and the world. Together, we can reimagine the future,” he states, reinforcing RMB’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and leadership.
The discussions opened with compelling keynotes on navigating economic shifts, featuring insights from Isaah Mhlanga, RMB’s Chief Economist, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, and Dr Christian Ebeke, IMF Resident Representative for Nigeria.
Loading...
Together, they highlighted Africa’s evolving market landscape, with Mhlanga underscoring Nigeria’s significant potential as a hub for foreign investment. The speakers emphasized the need for resilience and adaptive policies to unlock new growth opportunities across the continent.
The focus then shifted to sustainability, where Nzambi Matee, Founder of Gjenge Makers, shared her pioneering work in transforming plastic waste into sustainable building materials. Joining her was RMB’s Sustainable Finance and ESG Lead, Nigel Beck, who provided data-driven insights into Africa’s environmental challenges. Their session highlighted the urgency of scaling sustainable initiatives to create long-term impact across the region.
The summit also explored Digital Renaissance, with Dr Jania Okwechime, Partner, Africa AI and Data Leader, Deloitte and David Hutchful, Co-Founder and CTO, Yemaachi Biotechnology, discussing the transformative power of digital tools in reshaping industries and driving inclusive growth. They emphasized the need for equitable digital infrastructure to ensure progress reaches underserved communities across Africa.
A standout moment was the conversation on the Power of Perspective, featuring Professor Wole Soyinka, Professor PLO Lumumba, and Olakunle Soriyan. The speakers bridged history and forward-thinking perspectives, inspiring attendees to rethink their approach to future possibilities and how they can position themselves for success.
The day featured an exciting panel discussion moderated by Isaah Mhlanga, with contributions from Omowunmi Imoukhuede, Founder and CEO, Eviola & Co Integrated Services, and Kadia Faye, Co-Founder, Sikii and Strategic Marketing Consultant (Samsung).
The panel emphasized the need to strike a balance between technological advancements and preserving human connection in an increasingly digital world.
Additionally, two engaging fireside chats added further depth to the day’s conversations.
John Boyega, actor and cultural advocate shared his forward-looking insights on the evolving landscape of entertainment in a globalized era, while Kojo Annan, Chairman and Co-Founder, Made in Africa and Founder, Africa10, explored the pivotal role of sports in shaping leadership and empowering youth for the future.
The RMB Think Summit 2024 not only reflected on the current state of the world but also paved the way for future conversations and initiatives that will shape the socio-economic landscape of Africa in the coming years.
With its successful debut in West Africa, the Think Summit continues to affirm Rand Merchant Bank’s commitment to fostering thought leadership, promoting collaboration, and driving meaningful change.
Loading...