The 2024 DRC Social Innovation Summit (DRC-SIS), held at the Pullman Hotel in Kinshasa, from the 4th to 5th September 2024 gathered innovators and changemakers from over 42 nationalities, underscoring the pivotal role of social entrepreneurship in addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges under the theme; “Amplifying Voices: Youth and Women Innovating for People-Centered Development in Africa”. Organized by the DRC Social Innovation Summit (DRC-SIS) and AgroMwinda Academy, the event saw a series of panels and workshops focused on leveraging local resources and youth-led innovation for sustainable development.

The African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) as a key partner was well represented with 24 delegates from 18 Countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, Angola, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, CAR, DRC, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea Conakry) in attendance. Through its JYSEA (Jesuits Youth Social Entrepreneurship Action) program, AJAN selected eight young people from its various centres to participate in the summit, offering them the opportunity to gain experience and engage with social innovation experts. Unlike traditional profit-driven approaches, AJAN focus on empowering the youth through social innovation aims to address community problems directly. Participants were able to explore systemic thinking, innovative interventions, and ways to amplify the voices of youth and women in social innovation across Africa.

The summit was opened with a keynote address by Ms. Noella Ayeganagato Nakwipon, Minister of Youth and Patriotism of the DRC, who praised the theme, “Amplifying Voices: Youth and Women Innovating for People-Centered Development in Africa.” Her remarks set the tone for the event, outlining her vision which emphasized the role of youth and women in driving transformative social change while at the same time encouraging local start-ups to partner with international companies for development. The minister took time afterwards to visit exhibition stands to see business being run and different products being produced by the youth. This was an opportunity for the young people to showcase their ability to represent Congo at the international level.

Above, Ms. Pascalia Sergon is seen speaking with Ms. Noella Ayeganagato Nakwipon, Minister of Youth and Patriotic Awakening in the DRC, alongside Mr. Symphorien Pyana, Chief Executive of AgroMwinda, during their visit to the AJAN exhibition stand. In the last photo, Gabriel Kofi Akpah, SJ, presents an AJAN flyer to the minister.

Mr. Symphorien Pyana, Chief Executive – AgroMwinda, organizer of the summit welcomed the participants, in his speech he emphasized that, “the current economic system has shown its limits and that the success of entrepreneurs should now be measured by their ability to positively transform their communities, rather than accumulating wealth.” The goals of the two-day summit was to :

1. Increase awareness of the paradigm of population-oriented development promoted by the African demographic dividend;
2. Have a database of emerging social innovations and networks among women and youth in DRC, Africa and beyond;
3. Create a more dynamic ecosystem for young and women social innovators in DRC, Africa and beyond;
4. To be used as a platform to seek for more funding and partnership opportunities among participants at the DRC Social Innovation Summit;

Mr. Célestin Mukeba, Managing Director of Equity BCRC/DRC, a key-note speaker highlighted the importance of combining social problem-solving with economic profitability to achieve lasting impact. He encouraged participants to “do big by doing good.”

The first panel titled “The State as a Catalyst of Social Entrepreneurship for People-Driven Development in Africa” focused on the potential of social entrepreneurship to create a more equitable and sustainable future in Africa. The speakers discussed the challenges and opportunities for governments to create an enabling environment for social enterprises and contribute to sustainable development. The panelists identified the major challenges facing social enterprises in Africa, such as limited access to funding, lack of infrastructure, and regulatory hurdles while also pointing out the opportunities for social enterprises to address urgent social and environmental issues. The panel provided valuable insights into the growing field of social entrepreneurship in Africa and highlighted the importance of collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society organizations to create a more equitable and sustainable future.

In the afternoon, participants attended breakout workshop sessions, including one on energy and transportation, panelist Mr. Roberto Astete representing RAB Corp, Chile and Mr. Hemat KT representing Xicon International Ltd, India discussed the energy and infrastructure challenges in Africa. Mr. Roberto reminded the audience that a complete transformation of energy systems in five years would involve significant costs, while other panelists emphasized the abundance of natural resources in Congo, particularly in construction materials and renewable energy.

In another workshop on “Digital and Borderless Africa,” panelists discussed the opportunities offered by digital technologies to create a borderless Africa. The speakers emphasized the key role of technology in the continent’s economic integration, highlighting the need for investments in broadband connectivity and data centers.

In response to a question about the role of the church in moving towards a digital and borderless Africa, Gabriel Kofi Akpah, SJ, AJAN delegate from Sierra Leone, stated, “The church is undertaking an advocacy role when it comes to having a digital and borderless Africa, and the Jesuits are doing this well, bearing the number large number of youths being accompanied by the Jesuits in Africa. The Jesuit are doing this work through the Jesuit social apostolate work like AJAN who presently are undertaking the youths through social entrepreneurship training so as to empower them to take initiative.”

Panelists were also able to address infrastructure challenges and advocate for collaboration between governments and the private sector. The private sector was recognized as a key driver of digital transformation, with entrepreneurs and innovators encouraged to develop solutions tailored to Africa’s specific needs.

Dr. Nzamujo, founder of the Songhai Center in Benin, led the closing session of the first day. He presented the Songhai Center as a model for community change, highlighting his decision to leave a prestigious academic career to focus on agriculture in Africa. Dr. Nzamujo promotes a holistic approach to production, believing it is a comprehensive solution to Africa’s social problems. He emphasizes the importance of Africa generating its own solutions, especially by investing in youth and harnessing their energies to create a system capable of addressing the continent’s complex social and environmental issues.

One of the participant, Kakoko Divine, shared her experienced after attending the summit, “I am one of the participants of the DRC Social Innovation Summit, I got the invitation to be here after taking part in the Social Entrepreneurship training for Job-Creation for a Self-Reliant Church that was held in DRC in June 2024 that was undertaken by AJAN in collaboration with Comboni Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) and AgroMwinda which has been transformative for me and my group. I am a member of the three Zero club that we formed at St. Marie Parish-Kinshasa. The training has empowered me to step out of my comfort zone and become a social entrepreneur. I am grateful to AJAN, AgroMwinda, and their partners for this opportunity and for their support in helping me develop my entrepreneurial skills.”

By, Fernando Nimbu

AJAN Liaison Officer.

Click to Read>>> Day 2 of the DRC Social Innovation Summit: Amplifying the voices of youth and women in social innovation