SUMMIT '25

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13th May 2025 in the SQUARE

University of St. Gallen

Free Entry

THE PROGRAM

09:15 - 10:00

Agriculture is a key sector in many African countries, contribution significantly to GDP, food security, and employment. However, productivity remains generally low due to limited technology adoption, weak infrastructure, and insecure land rights. In this talk, I draw on recent research in East Africa and discuss how improving access to agricultural finance, strengthening land tenure, and enhancing market linkages can drive transformation in the sector.

Agriculture, Land and Finance

Lorenzo Casaburi

Associate Professor of Development Economics in the Department of Economics at the University of Zurich

10:15 - 11:00

One of today’s key global challenges is achieving a just energy transition—reducing carbon emissions to mitigate climate change while ensuring inclusive socio-economic development that upholds human dignity. This dual imperative presents difficult moral trade-offs: the need to decarbonize may sometimes conflict with the necessity of providing essential economic and social rights. Sustainable development is often regarded as a framework for negotiating these tensions.

To Sustain Development or To Develop Sustainability?

Thierry Ngosso

Manager of the Ethics and Public Policy Laboratory (EthicsLab) at the university of Maroua, co-founder and manager of the Competence Center for African Research (CCAR) at HSG, Ph.D from the university of Louvain in Belgium.

11:15 – 12:00

Africa’s leading financial institutions serve as key examples of corporate governance in the banking sector. Board organizations play a crucial role in shaping decision-making processes and shareholder perceptions of governance effectiveness. The challenge lies in balancing independence and collaboration, ensuring strong oversight while fostering strategic cohesion.

Additionally, supervisory authorities significantly influence corporate governance, enforcing regulations to ensure transparency, risk management, and financial stability. This session highlights institutional leadership, the broader dynamics of regulatory compliance, and stakeholder expectations in Africa.

Corporate Governance and Leadership

Enase Okonedo

Vice-Chancellor, Pan-Atlantic University, Nigeria and Independent non-executive director, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI)

13:00 - 13:45

The Central African Economic and Monetary Community brings together six countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Chad. Its aim is to strengthen economic and monetary integration. Members of the community share a common currency, the CFA Franc, managed by the Bank of Central African States.

Presentation of CEMAC (in French)

Leonard Henri Bindzi

Ambassador of Cameroon in Switzerland

14:00 – 14:45

Innovative Insurance Solutions

Bode Olajumoke (Swiss Re)

Senior Sustainability Risk Manager

15:00 - 15:45

Kwame AI is an early-stage AI startup based in Accra, Ghana, dedicated to transforming how learners and knowledge workers—such as educators and lawyers— access and utilize information. By providing personalized AI-powered knowledge assistants, Kwame AI enhances productivity and learning outcomes, making advanced technology more accessible and impactful in Africa’s knowledge economy. This startup exemplifies the potential of AI-driven solutions in Africa, addressing local needs while contributing to global innovation.

Running a Startup in Africa: Presentation of Kwame AI

George Jojo Boateng

CEO and Cofounder, Kwame AI, Researcher and Lecturer, ETH Zurich

16:00 – 17:00

Africa is rich in creative, ambitious, and hopeful young people. This documentary film, premiering here, offers an inspiring glimpse into their transition to adulthood. Created as a companion to the Africa Long Life Study—a longitudinal exploration of youth development in Namibia, Kenya, and South Africa—the film brings the fascination of lifespan research alive. It follows young Namibians as they reflect on their upbringing and consider the dreams that drive them and the challenges they may face as they embark on adult lives. Grounded in the Namibian context, the stories echo broader experiences across sub-Saharan Africa. The film will be embedded in an interactive discussion allowing the audience to reflect on their own coming of age, and hopes and dreams for our futures and for that of Africa’s diverse youth.