A Summit of Visionaries: Shaping Africa’s Entrepreneurial Future
The wine valley of Franschhoek, South Africa, served as the picturesque backdrop for the fourth Harambeans Global Summit in February 2023. The gathering brought together Harambeans alongside the Alliance’s guilds of investors, partners, and policymakers to reflect on the challenges facing Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. It also served as a reminder to Harambeans—and innovators everywhere—of the enduring importance of their work, even in the face of temporary setbacks.
Navigating Stormy Markets: Insights from Global Leaders
A report from Sequoia, the storied Silicon Valley venture capital firm, set the tone for the Summit. It warned founders that turbulent financial markets, inflation, and geopolitical conflicts would likely reduce the flow of capital to startups. Echoing similar sentiments, YCombinator partners advised their founders that “the safe move is to plan for the worst” during these uncertain times. This oppressive climate has led many founders to question their choices and even the value of their work.
Resilience Amidst Adversity: Lessons from Jonathan Oppenheimer
Jonathan Oppenheimer, Executive Chairman of Oppenheimer Generations and a steadfast supporter of the Alliance, reassured Harambeans, saying, “You have the willpower, the brainpower, and the capacity to order your space. That’s the business of an entrepreneur.”
A Call to Action: Rekindling Entrepreneurial Conviction
In his opening remarks, Okendo Lewis-Gayle, Founder and Chairman of Harambeans, emphasized:
“These challenging times are Harambean times, for they demand fidelity to the promise we made at the inaugural address of our Alliance on April 19, 2008: behind every crisis, we will explore opportunities; in the midst of desperation, we will shed light on stories of hope; and during failures of leadership, we will lead. Never will we surrender our conviction that tomorrow can be better than today.”
Guild Sessions: Harnessing Expertise to Drive Change
Unlocking Opportunity: The Nature of Our Battle
Day three of the Summit featured several Guild Sessions aimed at recycling the insights of experts within the Alliance. Sneha Shah, Executive Vice President at SEI, Head of New Business Ventures, and a Harambean advisor, moderated the session The Nature of Our Battle. Participants reflected on how Harambeans and the Alliance lend their skills and networks to serve underserved populations. Where others see challenges, Harambeans see opportunities—a defining trait of the Alliance and a testament to their commitment to servant leadership. The session explored how deeply-rooted values are being translated into scalable results.
Seizing the Moment: The Opportunity of the Now
Another session, The Opportunity of the Now, led by E4E Africa and the Segal Family Foundation, explored why Alliance partners actively participate in Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The session also examined what these choices reveal about the continent’s innovation landscape.
Reflections from the Alliance
During the three-day event, attendees shared their reflections on the Harambeans Alliance and its impact:
“Whenever I explain to people what Harambe means to me, I tell them it’s solid gold. It’s focused on what truly matters in life and business—values that add value. The Alliance helps members navigate challenges and offers the support they need daily.”
— Marsha Wulff, Founding Partner, LoftyInc Capital
“Every day I interact with a Harambean, I feel energized, hopeful, and more committed to the work we do. Harambeans have a ‘special sauce’—a blend of humility and courage that is rare. The interactions aren’t transactional; everyone is genuinely here to help one another. In a world filled with stress and darkness, this kind of engagement brings light. People like this will change the world—and they do so every day.”
— Diana Skurka, Managing Director, Schmidt Futures
“You have to lead people with servant leadership. If they believe you care about them and see a logical mission they can support, they respond differently.”
— Charles Phillips, Co-Founder, Recognize