Sawyer Hosts African Business Conference
Last week, Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School hosted a conference about the future of business in Africa. The event featured discussions of investment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and career outlook in Africa. The conference was completely organized and run by Suffolk University students. The event was open to students, alumni, faculty, and business leaders.
Africa offers a lot of opportunities for businesspeople who are interested in starting their own business or investing in other businesses. Right now, Africa has the fastest-growing market for mobile phones and phone service in the world. The continent has experienced a 20 percent annual increase in the number of mobile phone subscribers since 2005. Africa is also the youngest continent in the world, with 40 percent of its population younger than 18.
Issam Chleuh, a Suffolk alumnus and the CEO of Africa Impact Group, was one of the guest speakers for the conference. Chleuh was recently named one of the top 30 entrepreneurs in Africa by Forbes Magazine. The event also featured Suffolk faculty, including Assistant Professor Esi Elliot, Executive in Residence Sushil Bhatia, and Professor Mawdudur Rahman.
One of the main organizers of the event was Sawyer student Yao Armel Awanyo, who is from West Africa. Awanyo is the president of Suffolk University’s Action Africa Alliance.
“I really wanted to educate the Suffolk University community about the incredible opportunities in Africa,” said Awanyo. “I also wanted to give students a chance to network and exchange ideas with professionals who are doing business in Africa and abroad.”
Awanyo thinks that the African Business Conference may become an annual event at Suffolk University. He told the school: “After seeing the excitement of everyone who came out, I’m 100 percent convinced that Suffolk students will continue building the legacy of this event.”
