This July, our Founder and Lead Consultant, Diane Akuffo, proudly represented Partnered Advisory at the Bridge Africa Summit 2025, held from July 17 to 19 at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Morocco. Selected from over 600 applicants across the continent, Diane joined a dynamic cohort of 130 leaders shaping Africa’s future through innovation, equity, and systems thinking.
Under the theme “Building Bridges. Shaping Africa,” the summit served as a collaborative platform for changemakers to exchange ideas, explore solutions, and forge connections that advance inclusive development and innovation across the continent.
At Partnered Advisory, we have always understood that Africa’s entrepreneurial challenge is not a lack of ideas but a lack of access, structure, and support to scale them.
Insights That Align With Our Mission
Co-Creation as a Guiding Principle
A key highlight from the summit was the emphasis on co-creation as a foundational tool for sustainable innovation. The idea of designing not just for communities but with and by them mirrors our approach at Partnered Advisory. We believe that the most resilient businesses are those developed in partnership with their stakeholders and rooted in community realities.
Investing in Entrepreneurial Systems
Another central theme of the summit was the need to move beyond isolated interventions and toward building systems that consistently support African entrepreneurs. This reinforces the rationale behind our programs like the Investor Magnet Launchpad, which equips founders with the tools and strategies required to become investor-ready and sustainable.
Inclusion at the Core of Innovation
The summit also underscored the importance of inclusive innovation. True progress requires that youth, women, rural entrepreneurs, and underserved groups not only benefit from innovation but lead it. At Partnered Advisory, we prioritize equity-based capacity building and ensure our advisory frameworks are accessible, contextually relevant, and adaptable.
Policy, Data, and Climate-Centered Impact
Speakers called for systemic shifts across the continent, particularly in unlocking public data, institutionalizing co-creation in policymaking, and supporting regenerative economies. These discussions closely reflect the policy advocacy and ecosystem partnerships we are advancing through initiatives like FundVestor, our AI-powered platform connecting entrepreneurs to capital.
Our participation in the Bridge Africa Summit 2025 reinforced the urgent need to move beyond inspiration and into execution. The conversations affirmed what we already know Africa’s progress depends on bold action, not just bold ideas.
At Partnered Advisory, our next steps are clear: continue bridging gaps between startups and capital, strengthen founder education through programs like the Investor Magnet Launchpad, and expand FundVestor to serve more entrepreneurs across underserved markets. We are not just joining the dialogue; we are building the systems that will shape Africa’s future.
We left the summit with new connections, practical insights, and a stronger resolve to keep driving real outcomes for the businesses and communities we serve.