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| H.E Jorge Carlos Fonseca Welcomes Organisers AIS Summit |
The maiden Africa
Innovation Summit (AIS) is a catalyst event. It is an integral part of a
much broader effort to build a platform for promoting innovation in Africa. The
Summit will lay the foundation for an ongoing multi stakeholder
dialogue on innovation in Africa. All stakeholders, including policy
makers, entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, academics, and investors will
be engaged in a collaborative effort to undertake strategic assessment, seek
robust solutions and engage key actors to build a more propitious environment
for innovation on the continent.
The three day summit is planned for 04 – 06 February 2014 in Praia, Cape Verde and is expected to will bring together entrepreneurs, innovators, financiers, policy makers and researchers in one place to conduct an extensive dialogue on innovation in Africa.
The three day summit is planned for 04 – 06 February 2014 in Praia, Cape Verde and is expected to will bring together entrepreneurs, innovators, financiers, policy makers and researchers in one place to conduct an extensive dialogue on innovation in Africa.
An initiative by IHABA under the honorary patronage of H.E. Pedro Pires Former President of Cabo Verde (2001-2011), Laureate of the 2011 Mo Ibrahim Award.
“When we speak about innovation, dear friends, we are speaking about the future, what future for us? What future do we aspire to? What attitude should we adopt? Will we act or acquiesce?” pointed out Pedro Pires.
Dr. Donald
Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), attended
the AIS launch as special guest of H.E. Pedro Pires. During his speech he
highlighted the importance of AIS and stated: "We at the bank support
innovation at all levels and are prepared to work with you going
forward."
Nations which
succeed do many things right of which we can distinguish the following 3
critical actions: Invest in its people; Ensure that development is broad base,
benefiting the majority of its people; and most important invest in innovation.
On the other hand, innovation can only succeed on the basis of 3 things:
Freedom –
freedom to do things, freedom to speak out, freedom from oppression. Risk
taking – we often confuse rent seeking with development whilst the
actual basis of development is risk taking and risk taking is innovation, level
playing field – equal for all.
"This
initiative is very appropriate and timely...We have moved on from the world of
trading in materials and commodities to the world of trading in knowledge
products...and that means innovation”says Donald Kaberuka.
Dr. António
Correia e Silva - Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
of Cabo Verde
The Government of
Cabo Verde embraced AIS as a public private initiative. The Government
attributes a high importance and priority in its development strategy to innovation.
Governments should
be exemplary when it comes to innovation; not just in speeches but in effective
actions through Institutional innovation, promoting electronic governance - a
reduction of cost and procedures of public services, stated António
Correia e Silva.
Exibition: AIS – For Innovators
An important part of the summit will
be an exhibit which will feature important innovations and innovators from
around the world. Innovation Exhibition will open on February 3rd 2014.
Individual inivators that you can meet at the summit are Mr. Evans Wadongo from Kenya, Mr. Eric Charas, Mozambique and Mr. Sanoussi Diakite from Senegal among other host of companies in Africa including Gambia's own Green Tech in the field of Innovation: Sustainable Energy
Innovation: Affordable high quality fuel briquettes for cooking and heating to a high diversity of industries and households, visit http://www.greentechgambia.com
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