The Forbes Under 30 Summit returns to Botswana for a third time with the capital Gaborone set to play host in May 2024.
According to information seen by this publication, the Forbes Under 30 Summit comes to Africa for its third and biggest iteration yet.
“Across four days in Botswana’s vibrant capital city, we will convene the most successful, innovative and impact-minded young entrepreneurs and leaders from around the continent and around the globe,” the organisers say.
According to Forbes, the African continent is home to the world’s youngest population and greatest growth market, ripe for catalysing entrepreneurial capitalism at-scale. The organisers indicated that the event programming will focus on spotlighting Africa’s greatest business stories and biggest opportunities, and on the investors and founders who are forging new paths forward.
“As with every Under 30 Summit, the networking and cultural experiences promise to be unbeatable. Featured speakers will include government officials, venture capitalists, CEOs and celebrities. Activities will include exploration around Gaborone, taking in the scenery, music, cuisine, and local staples of our host country,” Forbes says. The company says Forbes Live brings together the world’s most influential leaders, policy-makers, entrepreneurs, and artists to harness their collective knowledge to address today’s critical issues and discover innovative solutions.
Throughout the year, Forbes events highlight stories of those who have made it and those who aspire to make it. Forbes Live experiences include industry events profiling the world’s leading CEOs, CMOs, and CIOs, city-wide Under 30 takeovers celebrating millennial ingenuity, and invitation only intimate salon gatherings.
Organisers of the Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa say it would harness the power of entrepreneurial capitalism amid the continent whose growth will help define the 21st century. “As with every Under 30 Summit, the social and cultural opportunities will be world-class. You will hear from government, venture capital, and business role models, providing inspiration for the newest and next generation of leaders. We will welcome local performers, chefs, and entrepreneurs, allowing us to experience the sounds, cuisine, and staples of local culture while engaging in unbeatable networking and pitching opportunities,” the organisers say.
After the Summit concludes, the organisers say; “we encourage participants to book excursions to one of southern Africa’s many must-see natural beauties, such as Botswana’s Chobe National Park or Okavango Delta.”
“It’s that time of the year when anticipation gives way to excitement as FORBES AFRICA prepares to welcome and honor, yet again, the next cohort of young innovators, influencers and intellectuals taking the continent by storm,” the organisers say.
Marking 10 years of the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list, the organisers say this edition will also hark back to the journey of unearthing Africa’s youngest and brightest people taking the continent to the future. The 10th annual list will highlight the potential of what is yet to come.
“It has been 10 years of showcasing tomorrow’s titans and billionaires! This list continues to draw great interest from our readers, young and old. And on a continent with the world’s youngest population, it’s more pertinent than ever to unravel these young movers and shakers who will be tomorrow’s global newsmakers,” says Renuka Methil, Managing Editor, FORBES AFRICA.
With thousands of applicants and hundreds of list-makers over the past decade, FORBES AFRICA has shone the spotlight on award-winning musicians, actors, tech trailblasers, business leaders, sports stars and social entrepreneurs, among others, who have gone on to become behemoths in their own right. The list has also evolved in the past decade to look at the new wealth creators from the world of content creation and digital media.
“Now is the time to invite the next 30 visionaries, risk-takers, change-makers and pioneers from Africa to take their place in the class of 2024. This is a list that promises to be our biggest and best yet as we foray our way into the next decade,” the organisers say.
They add that: “Our rigorous nominations process will require extensive paperwork including police clearance certificates (PCC) or a report from your country verifying that you have no criminal record, no ongoing or upcoming court cases and that you are a citizen of that country.”
In 2022, the then Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Peggy Serame told the media that to host the event, government contributed $250,000, with the private sector bringing in $750,000.
