By Balla Moussa Keita, special correspondent in Brussels.
On 30 November 2024, at the Dome Eventhall in Brussels, an unprecedented event was held on the theme of “East Africa, cradle of humanity and the future”, organised by Komera Conseil, founded by Sarah Ndikumwami, and the company Increate, owned by Kevin Mberimfura and alongside Ornella Gateka. The objective was clear: to highlight a region whose potential and visibility are still too modest.
The event brought together an audience mainly composed of young people from the African diaspora, ready to contribute to the development of the continent. Warmly welcomed by an impeccable organisation, the participants were immersed in fascinating debates, enriched by quality interventions.
The day began with an introduction led by a talented master of ceremonies, also a comedian, before getting to the heart of the matter with a first panel dedicated to natural resources and their role in development. This exclusively female panel provided an opportunity to discover innovative initiatives such as that of Haweya Mohamed, founder of The Colors, which promotes “Made in Africa” cosmetics based on natural products such as ylang-ylang from the Comoros. Hoodo Richter, a researcher at the Mo-Ibrahim Foundation, then highlighted the crucial role of women farmers in the green transition, while Aurore Mugisha presented ecological solutions for construction using composite earth bricks, an approach aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The second panel, focused on new technologies, explored the opportunities presented by the digital revolution. Moderated by Rémy Nsabimana of Al Jazeera Media Network, it brought together experts such as Kifya Abdo of Djibouti Telecom, who demonstrated how Djibouti has become a global digital hub, and Stephen Oyaro of Safaricom, who presented Kenya as a benchmark for emerging technologies. Pascal Murasira, founder of The African Opportunity, outlined the opportunities and challenges in the new technology sector in East Africa.
The third panel, focusing on the theme “Diaspora: Invest or Save?”, generated rich exchanges between participants and speakers. Jean-Julien Ilunga from Brussels-Africa Hub presented banking services for the African diaspora, while Quentin Rukingama and Karen Kaneza stressed the importance of financial education to optimize savings and investments. John-Christian Kavakure, founder of Brasseries de Flobecq, shared his successful experience in the brewing sector, encouraging young people to explore promising sectors.
The event was also enhanced by the presence of personalities such as Marcel Roijen, in charge of the Horn of Africa and East Africa within the Diplomatic Service of the European Union, and the ambassadors of Djibouti and Kenya in Belgium who pledged to support the initiatives presented.
The day ended with a festive evening combining gastronomy and culture, with craft stands showcasing the riches of East Africa. An event that marks a step in the promotion of this region and in the commitment of its diaspora for a promising future.
