The Harambean community gathered at the Vatican in September for its seventh biennial forum to reaffirm its pledge to work together as one to build Africa’s future. The event brought together Harambeans and Guilds, the network of investors, experts and founding partners that make up the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance.
Over the weekend, several Rotas were held to discuss key event themes. Harambeans Rotas are collaborative round table discussions where a diverse potpourri of Harambeans and Guilds gather to reflect on issues critical to the realization of the Alliance’s collective mission to build Africa’s future. The Rotas aim to unearth emerging practices across the Alliance and build coalitions to ignite prosperity.
Serving underserved communities across Africa
A key theme under discussion during the first Rota was to deepen the Alliance’s understanding of serving underserved communities across Africa. The first topic addressed ‘Efficiency, sustaining and market-creating innovations’, the principles of which are explored in the book titled, ‘The Prosperity Paradox: How innovation can lift nations out of poverty’, written by Dr Clayton M. Christensen, Karen Dillon and Harambean, Efosa Ojomo H’17. The book emphasizes the concept of market-creating innovation as an approach to serving underserved populations in emerging markets, arguing that traditional development models often focus on providing aid and assistance, which may alleviate immediate suffering, but often fail to create sustainable economic growth. The authors advocate for a shift towards innovation that targets non-consumption markets – meeting the needs of those who lack access to products and services that could significantly improve their lives.
Parables of Service
A Guild Session, fittingly held in the Hall of Sacred Conversations in the Vatican Gardens, focused on another key theme of the Rome Forum, that of ‘Parables of Service’. This tradition invites Harambeans and Guilds to describe how acts of service from others have left a lasting impact on their lives. Through these personal narratives, the group was able to illuminate the profound ripple effects that acts of kindness and support can have on individuals and communities alike. This meaningful and moving exchange celebrated the power of service and the Alliance’s commitment to servant leadership.