Our content for West Africa is now available in both French and English. If you would like to read this email and receive future communication in French, click the link below.

Notre contenu pour l'Afrique de l'Ouest est désormais disponible en français et en anglais. Si vous souhaitez lire cet email et recevoir nos futures communications en français, cliquez sur le lien ci-dessous.

As we navigate this exciting journey of entrepreneurial innovation and sustainable development, it's essential to share experiences, insights, and strategies that help us thrive. This week, we're bringing you a wealth of knowledge right from the heart of West Africa to your inbox!

Here is a treasure trove in the form of a compilation of key blogs from #SankalpWestAfrica2023

1. Shattering Barriers: Powering Women Entrepreneurs in Africa for a More Inclusive Business Landscape 🌍 - Session was hosted by IDRC

We've captured the stories of African women entrepreneurs, like Fatima from Nigeria, battling cultural, societal, and economic obstacles. Discover the crucial insights shared at the Sankalp West Africa Summit 2023 and learn about strategic solutions for a more gender-inclusive business landscape. Read more here.

2. Unlocking West Africa's Potential: Entrepreneurship, Insights, and Partnerships 🚀



Take a trip through Togo, Senegal, Côte D'Ivoire, and Sierra Leone as we highlight their unique investment opportunities and entrepreneurial landscapes. Unearth the shared themes, distinct strengths, and opportunities presented at the Sankalp West Africa Summit 2023. Read more here.

3. A Letter from a Fellow Entrepreneur 💌

Find inspiration in an open letter penned by a seasoned entrepreneur who navigates the exciting seas of entrepreneurship. From seeking help and building the right team to embracing rejection, there's a wealth of wisdom to guide you on your entrepreneurial quest. Read more here.

4. Navigating the Circular Economy in West Africa

The circular economy in Africa, with its $8 billion annual market potential, was the focus of a segment at the summit. Despite several challenges, transitioning to a circular economy could unlock significant advantages, including creating innovative business models and catalyzing economic growth. Learn more about the challenges, opportunities, and the necessary steps for this transition here.

5. Power of Partnerships in Africa's Entrepreneurial Revolution

Collaboration emerged as a pivotal theme at the summit. Attendees explored how strategic alliances could reshape West Africa's entrepreneurial landscape. From sparking progressive policy making to post-COVID-19 recovery, partnerships were recognized as a powerful catalyst for change. Dive into the power of partnerships here.

6. Tapping into West Africa’s Circular Economy Goldmine



Our summit highlighted West Africa's vast circular economy potential and explored actionable solutions for harnessing it. Through a workshop spearheaded by Siddharth Lulla of Intellecap, key stakeholders deliberated on the current state of affairs, gaps, challenges, and the roadmap for collective action. Read more about the workshop and its key insights here.

7. Redefining Agronomy: The Future of Regenerative Agriculture in Africa



With climate change accelerating desertification in West Africa, regenerative agriculture is emerging as a promising solution. Our panel discussion explored various aspects, from soil management to securing financial resources for scaling up regenerative practices. Discover more about the future of regenerative agriculture here.

8. Illuminating Progress: Achievements in Solar Energy at Sankalp West Africa ☀️ - Session was hosted by Energy Catalyst

Dive into an enlightening discussion from the Sankalp West Africa Summit 2023 on solar innovation and affordable, sustainable energy solutions. Read about pioneering ventures, such as Aptech's Pay and Pump Project and Husk Power Systems' tailored solutions. Read more here.

The Sankalp West Africa Summit 2023 was a testament to the region's resilience, innovative spirit, and commitment to sustainable growth. It's a reminder that no single organization can address these challenges in isolation. Collaborative efforts, co-creation, and collective action are indispensable. At Intellecap, we are committed to nurturing and expanding these partnerships and initiatives, contributing to West Africa's economic and environmental resilience.

SURVEY QUESTION

We hope these blogs were able to give you a sneak peak to the sessions hosted at Sankalp West Africa Summit 2023. We will be back with these exciting conversations next year as well. If you have an idea or topic in mind that needs more attention, please write to our agenda curator at parita.shah@intellecap.net

See you in 2024!

OPPORTUNITY

Exciting news! Grand Challenges Canada's "Stars in Global Health" program is currently inviting proposals aimed at enhancing maternal and newborn healthcare in Ghana. Here's an excellent opportunity for organizations incorporated in Canada and across Africa (North, West, East, Central, and Southern regions) to secure seed grants ranging between CAD $200,000 to $250,000.

These funds are designated to support the development and testing of innovative solutions over a period of 12 to 18 months. But remember, time is of the essence!



Register for an account via Grand Challenges Canada's Fluxx portal by 11:59 pm EDT on August 2nd, 2023 (or 3:59 am UTC on August 3rd, 2023). Once registered, be sure to submit your proposal no later than 12 pm EDT (4 pm UTC) on August 14th, 2023. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a significant impact on maternal and newborn healthcare in Ghana. Let's innovate for a healthier future! Learn More Here…

Interested in knowing more, attending or collaborating for the upcoming Sankalp Summit? Write to our team:

Pramit Banerjee: pramit.banerjee@intellecap.net

Enam Gbekor: enam.gbekor@intellecap.net 

Margaret Nakunza: margaret.nakunza@intellecap.net