AJAN network representative from 17 countries have currently converged at the Pullman Hotel in Kinshasa for the DRC Social Innovation Summit. The event that is taking place from the 4th to 5th September 2024 under the theme: Amplifying Voices: Youth and Women Innovating for People-Driven Development in Africa will see participants deliberate on perspectives and challenges of population-centered development with focus on innovation of youth and women; Explore systemic thinking and innovative interventions for population and local resource-oriented transformation and how we can all take part in amplifying the voices and contributions of youth and women in social innovation across Africa.

The summit which is already underway was officially opened by Ms. Noella Ayeganagato Nakwipon, Minister of Youth and Patriotic Awakening in the DRC. Her speech outlined her vision for the growth of Congolese youth in partnership with international companies. 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.

Ms. Noella Ayeganagato Nakwipon, Minister of Youth and Patriotic Awakening in the DRC, together with Mr. Symphorien Pyana, Chief Executive – AgroMwinda when they visited the exhibition stand.

According to Mr. Symphorien Pyana, Chief Executive – AgroMwinda, organizer of the summit, has outlined the following goals for the two-day event:

1. Increased awareness of the paradigm of population-oriented development promoted by the African demographic dividend;
2. A database of emerging social innovations and networks among women and youth in DRC, Africa and beyond;
3. A more dynamic ecosystem for young and women social innovators in DRC, Africa and beyond;
4. More funding and partnership opportunities among participants at the DRC Social Innovation Summit;

By, Dennis Owuoche

AJAN Communications Officer.

More to follow…