5:00 – 5:20 PM – Arrival, Introductions & Networking remarks

5:20 – 5:25 PM  – Opening Remarks

5:25 – 6:15 PM   – Plenary 1: Resetting Africa’s Economy

The coronavirus pandemic created an opportunity for the PPE industry to expand, as well as introduced the mass production of vaccines. However, African countries were not able to tap into these opportunities of mass manufacturing and production, which could have assisted their economies during the economic downturn caused by global lockdowns. What are the barriers to Africa’s production and manufacturing capabilities generally; and, is there appetite for the mass production of vaccines on the continent given that statistically, the continent has not reported as many cases of covid as other regions in the world?

Panel:

• Patson Malisa, Deputy Presiding Officer | Economic, Social & Cultural Council, Africa Union
• Hanningtone Amol, Head of ALP Kenya
• Veronica Masubo, Associate Manager, Policy & Practice, Innovations for Poverty Action Tanzania
• Patrice Mirindi, Business Development Consultant, Economic Sense
• Moderator: Blessyn Kure (AAN), Multimedia personality, voice artist & storyteller,

6:30- 6:35 PM – Closing remarks

5:00 – 5:10 PM – Arrival and Welcome

                               Recap of Day

5:10 – 6:00 PM  – Plenary 2:  Resetting the Agenda – Africa’s Democratic Governance in Focus

In late 2021, there was a coup in Sudan in 2021, followed by one in Mali in early 2022. This year too, there was a failed coup in Guinea Bissau. The African Union (AU) has expressed concern over these coups in West Africa and suspended the relevant countries. But what led to these coups and what next for these countries if they are being isolated? Most importantly, do the populations in these countries believe that these coups will lead to significant change, especially given their contribution to these coups through sustained mass protests?  

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Panel:

• Vincent Obisie-Orlu,  Resercher, Good Governance Africa
• Ibrahim B. Anoba, Africa Fellow at Atlas Network
• Okeletsang Mookeletsi, Head of Legal, Africa, SAS
• Chinedu Nevo (AAN), Ph.D. Student Open University UK

6:15 – 6:30 PM – Live Reading 

6:30 – 6:35 PM – Impressions on the Text Read

6:35 – 6:40 PM – Closing remarks

5:00 – 5:05 PM – Opening remarks

5:05 – 5:50 PM – Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session 1: The Politics of Travel Bans and Maintaining Africa’s Agency

As seen at the peak of the outbreak of the Omicron variant, travel bans targeted at African countries have become commonplace in recent times. However, most of these bans lack medical explanations or evidence, given that the same restrictions are hardly imposed on European countries where the virus has also been detected. This begs the question of the geopolitical dynamics behind these bans and the implications for bilateral relations between Africa and other continents.

Breakout Session 2: Remote Work as a pathway to Global Mobility for African Youth

 The pandemic and its associated lockdowns have made remote work the norm for employees across the globe including young Africans. Africa has the youngest population in the world and produces numerous graduates looking for work. Remote work provides an opportunity for talents from Africa to compete favourably in the global economy while contributing to their countries’ development. This breakout session will have AAN alumni with global jobs share their experiences and pathways for more young Africans to find decent work for economic empowerment.

Breakout Session 3: Resetting the Environment; Post-COVID Homegrown Strategies for Climate Resilience in Africa

Despite the fact that the African continent has contributed the least to climate change, through the lack of processes such as industrialisation, we are being heavily affected by climate change. This is evident through changing weather patterns and cyclones, especially in southern Africa, are increasing. Also, our continent has always had its own eco-activists who have resisted activities that harm the environment due to our proximity to the environment in rural areas. These activists include Ken Saro Wiwa, Wangari Maathai; and a younger generation that includes Vanessa Nakate. Therefore Africa is not lacking in methods and legacies of how to resist climate change and protect the environment. What are some local initiatives that the youth can participate in to offset climate change on the continent?

5:50 – 6:10 PM   – Virtual Games

6:10 – 6:20 PM – Open Mic/Spoken Word

6:20 – 6:30 PM – About AAN and how to become a member; plans for 2022

6:30 –          – Music & Closing remarks