LONDON, 23rd & 24th October 2019 – The British Award for African Development (BRAAD), a premier global initiative is pleased to present “The African Disruptive Technology Conference & Awards Ceremony”. BRAAD is honored to announce that The Honourable Andrew Stephenson MP, Minister of State at the Foreign Commonwealth Office joint with the Department for International Development (DFID) (Minister for Africa) will be the keynote and guest of honour.
The event will take place in three stages, starting with a parliamentary lecture inside the UK’s House of Commons, on Brexit & Continued Financing of Disruptive Technology in Africa on Wednesday 23rd October 2019 from 18:00 -20:00 GMT. This will be followed by the main conference, at The Sheraton Grand London Mayfair hotel from 13:00—17:30 GMT on Thursday 24th October 2019 which concludes with the BRAAD Award’s Ceremony (18:30-21:30 GMT).
The select nominees of the awards are from various sectors across an array of industries exhibiting industry expertise and thought leadership that are grouped into six independent categories: Business & Enterprise, Community and Social Development, Innovation & Technology, Diplomacy, Media & Entertainment, Finance & Technology.
Some key names attending alongside the Minister for Africa, The Honourable Andrew Stephenson, will be His Excellency Mr Fesseha Shawel Gebre, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Honorable Jeremy Lefroy, MP, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ethiopia, Honorable Pauline Latham, OBE, MP, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Kenya to name a few. Various press are in attendance such as Vox Africa.
Jean Bosco, Executive Director of BRAAD remarks “I built BRAAD to be a platform to empower local businesses and further trade and investment between the UK and the African markets. The way we do business, interact and engage in financial services will radically shift due to disruptive technology. This year I chose to focus on this shift in the global market that will change not only consumer behaviour in Africa but also contribute to the sustainable solutions of building these emerging economies. BRAAD is a voice that can assist in navigating new markets and exploring diaspora opportunities.”
Nisaa Jetha, Head of Strategy & Non-Executive Director of BRAAD remarks “It is integral that we focus on the innovative solutions disruptive technology is having on the business landscape in Africa and showcase how technological leapfrogging is creating new markets and opportunities boosted by the fast-growing middle-classes alongside the rise of urbanization. As we begin to finance these emerging economies a strong focus must also be on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments in order to ensure we continue to deliver on the UN SDGs and provide long-term sustainable solutions.”
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BRAAD is a business and development forum that seeks to recognise and highlight the exceptional achievements within the African Diaspora that focus on innovative business ideas and entrepreneurship.
BRAAD provides a nexus for exploring business opportunities between the United Kingdom and African markets. It seeks to co-create and foster long-standing opportunities to further economic growth through engaging public and private sector finance.