Pre-summit – November 15
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Registration & Hotel Check-In
Mokolodi Game Reserve
Optional Excursion
Day 1 – November 16
Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino
Breakfast & Registration
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Official Opening
Guest speakers
Hon. Tiroeaone Ntsima
The Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship
Christopher Gunning
Chargé d’Affaires
Sacha Fraiture
U.S. Embassy Gaborone PAO
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Keynote Plenary
Guest speakers
Christopher Grossman
U.S. Embassy Gaborone POL/ECON Officer
Sacha Fraiture
U.S. Embassy Gaborone PAO
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Morning Tea
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Building Businesses Across Southern & Eastern Africa
Building to Last: Lessons from Founding and Scaling in African Markets
Room 1
Combines: building successful businesses in African markets, and lessons learned from entrepreneurship
Crossing Borders: Market Access, Regulation and Logistics
Room 2
Combines: regional expansion and market access, and regulatory and logistical challenges
Fueling Growth - Capital and Strategic Partnerships
Room 3
Combines: access to capital and regional partnerships
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Lunch
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Open for Business: How U.S. Commercial Diplomacy Can Connect African Entrepreneurs to New Markets
Your Partners at the Mission: U.S. Commercial Diplomacy and Government Resources
Room 1
Combines: U.S. commercial diplomacy, and U.S. government resources
From Local to Global: Export, Investment and Market Connections
Room 2
Combines: Export and investment opportunities, and connecting African businesses to international markets
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Interactive Workshops - Are You Ready? Building an African Business That Can Compete, Partner and Scale Internationally
Getting Investor-Ready: Access to Capital
Room 1
Covers: Investment Readiness & Access to Capital
Build It, Sell It, Protect It: Branding, Digital Commerce and Intellectual Property
Room 2
Covers: Marketing, Branding & Digital Commerce, and Intellectual Property,
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Afternoon Break
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Regional Opportunity Roundtables
Roundtable 1: Growing Agribusiness: Sustainable Value Chains and Regional Food Markets
Room 1
Covers: Agribusiness & Sustainable Development
Roundtable 2: The Experience Economy: Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Entrepreneurship
Room 2
Covers: Tourism & Hospitality, and Sports Entrepreneurship
Roundtable 3: The Creative and Digital Economy: Technology, E-Commerce and Creative Enterprise
Room 3
Covers: Creative Industries, and Digital Commerce & Technology
Roundtable 4: Moving Goods Across Borders: Logistics and Regional Supply Chains
Room 4
Covers: Logistics & Regional Supply Chains
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Day One Reflection: From Opportunity to Regional Connection
Speakers & Moderators
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Welcome Reception
Guest speakers
Sacha Fraiture
U.S. Embassy Gaborone PAO
Day 2 – November 17
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Breakfast & Networking
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Regional Alumni Entrepreneur Showcase I
From Local Success to Regional Opportunity
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Morning Tea
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Featured Plenary
Emerging Technology, Economic Statecraft & the Future of Global Business
Guest speakers
Evanna Hu
Policy & Security Technologist
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Lunch
Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino
Regional Alumni Entrepreneur Showcase II
From Local Success to Regional Opportunity
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Afternoon Break
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Regional Alumni Panel: What Does It Take to Build a Business That Crosses Borders?
Entrepreneurs from across the region discuss the practical realities of expanding into new markets and building sustainable regional enterprises.
Panel 1: Reaching New Markets: Market Entry, Regulations, Logistics and Digital Platforms
Room 1
Panel 2: Growing Together: Financing, Partnerships and Inclusive Regional Networks
Room 2
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Alumni-to-Alumni Business Networking
Finding Partners Across Borders
Partner Matching Session: Finding and Vetting the Right Regional Partners (Invitation-only session)
Room 1
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Reflection & Takeaways
What Can We Build Together?
Day 3 – November 18
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Breakfast & Networking
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Action Planning Workshop
From Summit Ideas to Sustainable Action
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Morning Tea
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AEIF Regional Alumni Network & Commitments
Building Stronger Alumni Networks Beyond the Summit
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Closing Plenary & Remarks
Advancing the Next 250 Years of U.S.–Africa Commercial Engagement
Botswana Craft Restaurant