USAID/AFR Assistant Administrator Dr. Monde Muyangwa attended the African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS24) in Silicon Valley in March. The African Diaspora Network brings together investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from across the globe to envision the future of the African continent.
Dr. Muyangwa provided keynote remarks, highlighting the inclusion of diaspora engagement as a pivotal aspect of USAID’s initiatives on climate change, the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), and Prosper Africa. Additionally, she elaborated on USAID’s localization approach, which garnered positive reception. Following her speech, many attendees queued up to express their gratitude and engage with her.
She also participated in an alumni roundtable discussion with 14 YALI Regional Leadership Center (RLC) and Mandela Washington Fellow Alumni. The alumni shared personal reflections on the program's impact, and their current professional pursuits. They provided candid feedback, suggesting enhancements to post-fellowship support through increased in-person meetups and seed funding to bolster initiatives. Moreover, they discussed how USAID could aid them in amplifying their narratives to reshape the broader discourse surrounding Africa's talent, youth, and future leaders. Meeting Dr. Muyangwa was definitely the highlight for the alumni.
The final day of the conference ended with an impromptu visit to the Google Campus. Walking through the heart of Silicon Valley's innovation hub, surrounded by futuristic tech and entrepreneurial vibes, the alumni were inspired to channel their creativity towards transformative initiatives on the continent. This visit hammered home the endless possibilities in Africa and fueled their determination to make a difference.
