PIND sponsored the 2023 Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) Global Conference in Accra, Ghana, as a strategic partner. The conference theme, “Accelerating Action: Small Business Solutions and the SDGs,” aimed to highlight the significant progress achieved thus far and identify further requirements in supporting Small and Growing Businesses (SGB) ecosystems to enhance their impact on the SDGs in the next seven years. James Ebube, the Business Development Manager, and Oteheri Akinruntan, the Business Development Coordinator, represented the PIND team.
Oteheri described the experience at the ANDE Global Conference as ‘enlightening and presenting many learning opportunities on impact investing, priority sectors, and potential partnerships.’
In his comment on the benefit for PIND and the Niger Delta, James Ebube had this to say, ‘PIND leveraged its participation to engage with and explore potential partnerships and collaborations across all its program areas including agribusinesses, youth employment, renewable energy, and peacebuilding. We are also exploring deepening partnership discussions with ANDE Nigeria, the West Africa Chapter, and other ANDE members in Nigeria’.
The four-day conference was attended by ANDE members across the world, with discussions on a broad range of topics, including;
- Climate Innovators and Access to Global Markets,
- Building the Ecosystem for Women Entrepreneurs, Understanding the Environmental, Social, and Governance Integration for Small Growing Businesses, and
- The role of Government in supporting Entrepreneurs.
PIND, as a strategic sponsor of the conference, was provided visibility at a global level. One key takeaway from the event was the learning opportunities for the domestication of impact investing for small, growing businesses in the Niger Delta.
