INTRODUCTION 

The Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), in collaboration with the University of Ghana Computing Systems (UGCS) and Springfield Events organised the maiden Studentpreneur Africa Festival 2024 at the ISSER Conference Centre, University of Ghana.

The Festival, which came on from 15th to 16th February, 2024 was an inaugural student-based Pan-African conference which aimed to connect student entrepreneurs, local start-ups, and angel investors in the quest to find viable solutions to the current global economic challenges.

The theme for this maiden event was “Boundless Prospects for Africa’s Future Front-Runners: Technology, Sustainability and Innovation”. 

The two-day programme brought together stakeholders, entrepreneurs and industry players to address issues in technology, education, defence, fintech, green financing and energy, among others. This report summarizes the activities of the festival including the opening ceremony.

OPENING CEREMONY

In his welcome address, the Director of IAST, Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin, challenged the youth to harness the power of technology, embrace sustainability and foster innovation to solve the pressing challenges facing the country, Africa and the globe. 

Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin, Director of IAST

He stated that sustainability was not a choice but a moral imperative, emphasising that future leaders must champion eco-friendly models. He encouraged student entrepreneurs to dream beyond the ordinary. Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin added that the festival was not just about ideas but about translating those ideas into tangible solutions that could drive progress and change lives. He urged the various stakeholders present to embrace the spirit of collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship to help build a brighter future for Ghana, Africa and beyond.

In a brief address, Dr. James Owusu, Chair of the Studentpreneur Africa Festival Advisory Committee, underscored the critical role played by entrepreneurship in driving economic development and job creation in Africa. He noted that the World Bank had identified entrepreneurship as a key driver for economic development and reducing unemployment, especially in Ghana. He also said that entrepreneurship plays a vital role in economic transformation by promoting innovation, fostering competition, creating employment opportunities, and providing financial stability. Dr. Owusu also emphasised that digital inclusion is crucial for economic empowerment and social inclusion in Africa and should be an integral part of the curriculum in our education system. 

Dr. James Owusu, Chair of the Studentpreneur Africa Festival Advisory Committee 

The Ambassador Extraordinary for the Republic of Suriname, H.E. Fidelia Graand-Galon gave a brief remark. In her speech, she shared personal anecdotes and highlighted the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of rural African women, drawing parallels with her own upbringing and 2 experiences in Suriname. The Ambassador underscored the importance of embracing African heritage and supporting local products and entrepreneurship, lamenting the preference for foreign goods like Chinese kente over authentic African kente. She advocated for digital inclusion and entrepreneurship as vital pathways for Africa’s future development, emphasising the need for youth empowerment and employment through education and innovative thinking.

H.E. Fidelia Graand-Galon, Ambassador Extraordinary of the Republic of Suriname

In conclusion, H.E. Graand-Galon urged collaboration and appreciation for African heritage, emphasising that Africa's future prosperity lies in valuing and promoting its own resources and talents. 

The next remark was delivered by Mr. Francis Kwabena Boachie, the Chief Information Technology Officer of the University of Ghana Computing Systems (UGCS). Mr. Boachie observed that many young people in Africa claim that there are no jobs in Ghana. He emphasised that the current job landscape differs significantly from the past, highlighting the importance of technological innovation in the fourth industrial revolution. 

Mr. Boachie pointed out that many jobs now enable remote work, citing examples of individuals working for companies abroad while residing in Ghana or elsewhere in Africa. He urged young people to realign their mindset away from seeking traditional white-collar jobs and towards embracing new opportunities in technology and innovation. He stressed the importance of preparing for the future by acquiring relevant skills. 

Mr. Boachie also discussed some challenges of internet connectivity in Africa, despite the presence of substantial underutilized bandwidth. He called for governmental interventions to improve digital infrastructure, which would enable more youth to access educational resources and job opportunities online. He advocated for a bipartisan approach to extend broadband access across Africa, similar to initiatives in the United States. He encouraged the youth to advocate for better digital infrastructure while preparing themselves to compete globally through technological and financial integration.

The Director of Innovation at the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr. David Antwi Ofori also delivered a keynote speech. In his address, he emphasised the critical role of technology in modern entrepreneurship. He highlighted the transformative power of artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality, 3D printing, robotics, and drone technology in shaping our world. He urged the participants to move beyond traditional infrastructures, like cement and iron rods, and embrace connectivity as the new critical infrastructure, using Estonia's digital transformation as an example.

Mr. David Antwi Ofori, Director of Innovation at NEIP

He noted that Ghana is the second most entrepreneurial country in Africa, however, most businesses are small and lack longevity. He stressed the importance of creating businesses that can last for generations and contribute to a legacy. He encouraged students to start their own businesses, even if they begin with simple ideas, and to register these businesses officially to access government support and grants. Mr. Ofori outlined the value of partnerships and collaboration in entrepreneurship, stating that combining skills and resources can significantly reduce risks. He highlighted the support available from government programmes and academic institutions and the importance of building trust within the community.

Finally, he touched on the importance of sustainable entrepreneurship that considers environmental impact, particularly in addressing the global plastic waste crisis. He concluded by encouraging young entrepreneurs to seize the expanding opportunities and innovate to create meaningful change in their communities. 

In the speech delivered by the Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, Mr. Akwasi Awuah Ababio expressed his gratitude to the Institute and Springfield event for hosting such a commendable event. He stated that the theme of the event resonates deeply with the progress and transformation that Africa needs. He emphasised that we are in an era where we are presented with a unique opportunity to shape the destiny of Africa, and Ghana in particular, through the faculties of entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable development. 

The Director of the Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, Mr. Akwasi Awuah Ababio

He noted that networking and technology are the catalysts for this transformation. He further indicated that sustainability was not just a pathway, but the cornerstone of shared responsibility towards the environment and the future generation. 

Mr. Ababio stated that, as the Director of the Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, he was enthused by the diversity and inclusivity that define the entrepreneurial spirit of the African continent, which he described as a formidable resource that could be harnessed to accelerate Africa’s development. In concluding his speech, Mr. Ababio challenged the students and participants to seize the opportunities that lie ahead and to let the festival be a catalyst for transformative change across Ghana.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Office Research, Innovation and Development (ORID), Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor. In his address, he stated that he was honoured to represent the Vice-Chancellor at the festival. He highlighted the theme of the event and its alignment with ORID’s vision. Prof. Asante mentioned that ORID had intensified its commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and the growth of entrepreneurship at the University by introducing non-academic programmes like the innovation challenges, hackathons and incubation programmes and supported the development of dedicated spaces including the University of Ghana Business School Innovation and Incubation Hub. 

He emphasised the value of such a festival in empowering students to leverage mentors and create value for their future. He advised that Africa’s future was intricately woven with the threads of technology, calling on student entrepreneurs to embrace the idea of being “the torchbearers of this digital revolution”. Finally, he urged all stakeholders present to work collaboratively to ensure that linking research and innovation with an entrepreneurial mindset yields the expected results. 

Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, delivered the closing remarks in which he emphasised the challenges facing Africa with its growing population vis-à-vis that of northern countries. He underscored the urgency for Africa to strategically prepare its youth through education, technology and entrepreneurship to meet global challenges and opportunities effectively. Prof. Onwona-Agyeman stressed the importance of scientific theories and documentation, urging graduates to take their scientific research seriously and document their findings for future generations. He informed participants of Japan’s investment in space resources due to anticipated resource scarcity on earth and urged Africans to prepare for future technological advancements.

A group photograph taken after the opening ceremony

HACKATHON 

As part of the activities of the festival, a hackathon was held that brought together aspiring student innovators from across Africa to collaborate, ideate, and develop solutions to real world challenges. The competition was sponsored by Oracle Academy. Following an intense competition and rigorous evaluation process, the following teams were selected as winners and awarded prizes:

The first prize was awarded to Team InnovateAfrica which presented a project on ‘EduTech Solutions for Rural Communities’. Their platform aimed at providing quality education resources and remote learning opportunities for students in rural areas. Their solution incorporates interactive lessons, virtual classrooms, and teacher support tools to bridge the educational gap in underserved regions.

The first runner-up prize was awarded to Team GreenTech Innovators which developed a mobile application that facilitates efficient waste management and recycling practices within communities. Their App features user-friendly interfaces for waste collection scheduling, recycling centre locations, and environmental education resources, promoting sustainability and reducing waste pollution.

The second runner-up prize was awarded to Team HealthTech Solutions which developed a ‘Telemedicine Platform for Rural Health Access’. They designed a telemedicine platform to address the healthcare needs in rural communities with limited access to medical facilities. The platform enables remote consultations with healthcare professionals, access to medical records, and medication delivery services, improving healthcare accessibility and outcomes in remote areas.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS

There were several panel discussions by experts and participants covering the selected thematic areas for the festival namely Education and Technology, Health Innovations, FinTech and Green Financing, Agritech in Africa, Energy and more. Ms. Bekere Amassoma, Programmes Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Oracle Academy, for instance, presented on the benefits of Oracle Academy, focusing particularly on how students can leverage the Oracle Academy Cloud Program and Oracle APEX. She also participated in a panel session titled ‘Realizing the African Dream through Technology, Sustainability and Innovation: The Role of African Youths.’ 

CONCLUSION

The Studentpreneur Africa Festival 2024 was successful and well attended. The programme reflects the Institute’s commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership among Africa’s youth. This event aligns with the University's Strategic Plan 1: Transformative Student Experience and Strategic Plan 4: Engagements and Partnerships.

Some pictures taken during the Festival