African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2023

In 2021, Ashinaga USA had the distinct pleasure of having Almaz Negash, Founder of the African Diaspora Network (ADN), as a guest speaker at our annual Tsudoi. Impressed with the Ashinaga USA Scholars, Almaz generously invited Ashinaga USA Scholars as guests and volunteers to ADN's annual African Diaspora Investment Symposium, where entrepreneurs, investors, and academics from the continent and the diaspora come together. In addition to that invitation, ADN initiated part-time internships for three Scholars, resulting in a full-time staff for one of them upon his university graduation.

In March 2023, Ashinaga USA staff and four Ashinaga USA Scholars attended the annual African Diaspora Investment Symposium at the Computer History Museum in Silicon Valley, California. The symposium was organized under the theme "Future Ready: Africa," with over 300 attendees, 40 speakers and panelists, and 25 countries represented.

The four Ashinaga USA Scholars presented posters of their Ashinaga Proposals and volunteered at the symposium. Ditrick is studying Computer Science and presented his project "Payment System for Software-As-A-Service (SAAS) Business in Tanzania." Endalk, majoring in Robotics, presented his plan for the "GUD.AI Robotics Competition" in Ethiopia. Lineo is majoring in Political Science and presented on her nonprofit collaboration project in Lesotho called Pioneer Africa Scholars Program. Salifu is studying Biology and presented his project "Minimizing Poverty in Ghana Through Development and Utilization of Talents and Creative Minds in Rural Communities."

Apart from sharing their research, the Scholars served as volunteers to support ADN in the logistics of the symposium. Scholars took on roles such as posting on social media, managing virtual guest participation, preparing event spaces, facilitating panels, as well as greeting attendees and guiding guest speakers.

Participating in the symposium shifted the Scholars' perspective on networking, investment, and the strength of the African Diaspora. Endalk reflected on one of the guest speaker's comments, that when people think about problems in Africa, they often think that money is the main issue in solving a problem; instead, he explained, problems can be solved through connection and the management of money and resources already in hand. Salifu was inspired by the investment event's emphasis on the role of African youth, an underutilized population who can make impact on the continent. Ditrick was surprised by the number of Africans living in the diaspora, who may be potential investors in African entrepreneurial projects.

Finally, the African Diaspora Investment Symposium provided an opportunity for the Scholars to hone their professional development and networking skills. Lineo identified her particular brand of networking, learning how to talk to people and get their contacts in pursuit of supporting her project. Ditrick said that creating the poster was not only a good experience, but also a productive way to think deeply about the goals of the Ashinaga Proposal, in addition to preparing an elevator pitch.

Ashinaga USA is so grateful for our partnership with the African Diaspora Network; we look forward to building our relationship with African entrepreneurs and those living in the diaspora to support our Scholars!