The discussion turned to AI where Dr. Nderu highlighted its potential not only to improve public services in Africa but also to create opportunities for startups and youth, which also requires investment in infrastructure. Building on this, Ms. Jabangwe noted that AI will be a cross-cutting vertical, addressing fundamental needs such as affordable internet access must come first as many in Africa cannot sustain AI based solutions. 

When asked about policymakers' involvement, Ms. Jabangwe expressed her positive perspectives about Africa’s evolving policy environment, noting that younger generations are entering government and demanding accountability, which is leading to more proactive and positive government involvement. 

Mr. Shoma Kato, 3rd-year Ph.D. student in Multidisciplinary Sciences at the University of Tokyo, shared that his motivation to bridge research and business came from uncertainty about the real-world impact of his work and noted that the University of Tokyo provides a strong support system for entrepreneurship like the AYSEP program. He also observed that the generational gap is narrowing as young people take more control with the increased cross-generational communication.

Mr. Takuro Hamada, 1st-year Master’s student in Chemistry & Biotechnology at the University of Tokyo, identified insufficient infrastructure as a major barrier to his business and stressed the need for building the necessary facilities, organized infrastructure, transportation, and financial support for startup growth, emphasizing that funding should be structured in a mutually beneficial way.

To conclude the first part of the session, Mr. Satoshi Shinada, Co-founder and General Partner, Kepple Africa Ventures, compared the Japanese and African startup ecosystems, explaining that Japanese founders often have strong academic backgrounds but lack exposure to real-world problems, while African founders face many challenges but need more entrepreneurial tools and support due to limited job opportunities. 

Creative Futures: Africa Unmuted in the Global Economy

At the beginning of the second section, each panelist gave lightening talks. Ms. Korty EO, Filmmaker / Founder of Any Production, described Africa as one of the world’s fastest-growing media markets, with talented creators in film, music, and fashion. She emphasized that investing in African creativity is not charity, but a valuable investment with significant potential for global impact.

Mr. Olufikayo Adeola, Cofounder of Kugali Media, shared that the company was founded by fans of comics who wanted to showcase African stories through art and animation. He positioned Africa as the next frontier for global storytelling by mentioning that their first comic project gained wide attention and led to their breakthrough partnership with Disney on Iwaju, Disney’s first external collaboration of this kind. 

Next, Mr. Sam Onyemelukwe, Senior Vice President of Global Business Development, Trace Africa, shared his personal journey from aspiring artist to business leader, where he found his true strengths, highlighting the dramatic rise of African music and culture on the world stage and how young Africans now see real opportunities to become global superstars.