The third-annual Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa is taking place in Botswana’s capital city this week, focused on the continent’s economic growth through investment and entrepreneurship. The event brings together young entrepreneurs from around the world, including honorees of the Forbes 30 Under 30 lists, investors, aspiring founders, local government officials and business leaders for four days of networking, inspiration, impact and cultural excursions.
This page will be updated throughout the week with coverage from the event. Follow along on social media as well, using hashtag #Under30Africa.
Pan-African Welcome Celebration
To kick-off the four-day event, more than 2,000 local community members from Gaborone joined the summit delegates for an exciting Sunday evening in the city’s giant open air square, Main Mall. Local and international musicians, DJs and dancers including Mpho Sebina, Ezra Neethings, Han-C, ATI, DBN Gogo and headliner Omah Lay, plus a special DJ set by Nick Cannon, got the crowd dancing and singing.
For the Summit’s main programming day, iconic speakers and accomplished entrepreneurs will speak on panels and lead breakout group sessions on entrepreneurial topics ranging from venture capital to technological innovation to female leadership in male-dominated industries.
Summit day three will take global attendees around Gaborone for giving-back activities, a special film screening, and a diamond polishing tour, building up to a Bush Party. During this evening of fun in nature, event attendees will taste local game in a traditional Botswana braai, while enjoying the sounds of one of Africa’s top music producers, Master KG.
Closing out year three of the Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa, the final day will offer attendees a fun day of excursions. Some will board flights with the event’s official airline partner, Air Botswana, for a daytrip to the magnificent Okavango Delta for a safari drive in search of the Big 5 game animals. Meanwhile, other guests will participate in a game drive at Gaborone’s Mokolodi Nature Reserve, and some will experience the process of diamond cutting and polishing at Okavango Diamond Company (ODC).
Also: Explore the inaugural and second-annual iterations of the Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa, which took place in Botswana in April 2022 and April 2023.