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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Experts have said Africa must solve her challenges by being committed and intentional about unlocking the opportunities on the continent.
The experts, who spoke at the UBA Africa Conversations 2023, said with the way the world is moving, it is important for Africa to be innovative in order to bring a positive transformation to the continent, adding that the only way for Africa is to solve her problems by herself.
The UBA Africa Conversations 2023 was the fifth edition and was used to to celebrate this year’s Africa Day.
This year’s edition, with the theme, ‘Innovating for Growth in Africa,’ involved an all-female panel who are certified professionals from various fields.
The panelists include Foluso Gbadamosi, Executive Director, Junior Achievement Nigeria; Hilda Effiong Bassey, aka Hilda Baci, Foodpreneur/Chef; Abiola Bawuah, CEO, UBA Africa; Banke Kuku- Lawson, Creative Director and Founder, Banke Kuku Collections and Owen Omogiafo, President/Group CEO, Transcorp Plc.
According to the panelists, it is only innovation that can bring positive change to Africa and the continent must use what is within as her currency to change the world.
They also said that the continent must leverage on her youth population and technology to unlock the opportunities to fill up the challenges in Africa.
The panelists called on governments and organisations to collaborate and be intentional about education and also regulate the technology space to suit the continent’s purpose, people and resources in order to record remarkable growth in Africa.
In his welcome address, the Group Managing Director/CEO of UBA, Mr Oliver Alawuba, said UBA is committed to Africa becoming the continent of the future, adding that challenges and opportunities are sitting side by side on the continent.
“We believe there is a thin line between the challenges and opportunities and we are committed to unlock the opportunities to fill up the challenges.
“For us at UBA, we believe to unlock the opportunities, we must empower African women to be critical stakeholders in the development agenda for Africa.
“We need to collaborate to initiate the development of this continent and the time to develop it is now,” he said.