Smiling Through Light

✨Reflections from African Diaspora & Development Day (AD3) 2026✨

If there was one message that resonated throughout AD3 2026, it was this: Africa’s future will be shaped by collective action.

Hosted by UK, this year’s theme—“Africa Reimagined: Collective Action for a New Era” brought together diaspora leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers and changemakers, all united by a shared commitment to driving sustainable growth, decent jobs and opportunity across the continent.✨

The keynote given by Amr Aljowaily from the African Union Commission highlighted the growing recognition of the diaspora as a strategic partner in Africa’s development, underpinned by policies and frameworks that seek to strengthen this relationship.

I was also honoured to speak during the Diaspora Investment & Enterprise Showcase, where I shared the journey of Smiling Through Light our impact so far and our vision for the future.✨

One of the most inspiring parts of the day was the intergenerational dialogue. Bringing together experienced leaders and young changemakers reminded us that Africa’s transformation cannot belong to one generation alone. Progress happens when wisdom meets fresh ideas, and when we intentionally create space for both.

It was equally encouraging to see individuals, organisations and the African Union Commission recognised for their contributions to diaspora engagement. Celebrating those who are doing the work is just as important as discussing what comes next.

I left the day with renewed optimism. The African diaspora is far more than a global community, it is a powerful force for investment, innovation and transformation.

Beyond the sessions, it was great to reconnect with friends and colleagues from across the Africa and diaspora ecosystem. These moments are a reminder that while our work may take different forms, we are all working towards the same goal: a more prosperous and connected Africa.✨

Africa is being reimagined and its diaspora has an important role to play in shaping what comes next.✨

Some days leave you inspired. Today was one of those days✨

It was a busy day filled with conversations, ideas, and meaningful connections centred on Africa’s future.

My first stop was the LSE Future Forum 2026, exploring the theme “AI in Africa.” The discussions highlighted both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with embracing artificial intelligence across the continent, from innovation and entrepreneurship to governance, education and inclusive development.

My second stop was the African Diaspora & Development Day (AD3) 2026 for my speaking engagement, hosted by AFFORD UK at SOAS, under the theme:

“Africa Reimagined: Collective Action for a New Era – How the Next Generation of Diaspora Investors Can Drive Decent Job Creation, Employability and Growth in Africa.”

What stood out across both events was a shared sense of optimism. Africa is not simply responding to global change, it is helping to shape it. From AI and innovation to diaspora investment and job creation, the conversations reinforced that Africa’s future will be built through collaboration, bold leadership and collective action.

I’m ending the day exhausted, but also energised by what I heard and the incredible people I had the opportunity to meet.

I’ll be sharing separate reflections on both events over the coming days, as there was far too much value to capture in a single post.

The future is being reimagined and Africa is rising.✨

A great way to start the week at the Ayrton Forum 2026 during London Climate Action Week, joining colleagues from across government, industry, research and the clean energy sector to discuss how innovation can accelerate energy access and climate action.

A major highlight was the UK Government’s announcement that the Ayrton Fund will be extended to 2030, alongside an additional £88 million investment in the Transforming Energy Access platform. The commitment signals continued UK leadership in supporting clean energy innovation and strengthening international partnerships to deliver sustainable development outcomes.

As Professor Sir John Edmunds, Chief Scientific Advisor at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office noted, the future of development depends on bringing innovation and investment together and creating smarter, more diverse finance flows that move ideas from research into real-world impact.

The focus throughout the forum has been on innovation, scale and accelerating clean energy access. These conversations are critical if we are to achieve universal energy access by 2030.

However, one challenge remains. While localisation is increasingly part of the discussion, more must be done to ensure that funding reaches locally led businesses and enterprises that are closest to the communities being served. These organisations are often the drivers of innovation, job creation, impact and last-mile delivery, yet many still struggle to access capital directly.

If we are serious about solving the clean energy access challenge by 2030, local partnerships must move from the margins to the centre. Scaling impact will require not only more investment, but greater trust in local businesses and stronger partnerships that enable them to lead✨

I look forward to the discussions throughout the week and to seeing how these commitments translate into meaningful impact on the ground.

Read more about today’s announcement here: https://lnkd.in/eyqiMHcY

Great connecting with colleagues working to accelerate innovation in clean energy - Harriet Bradshaw-Smith Emilie Carmichael Susie Wheeldon Karl Boyce Steven Hunt Josephine Gauld Rachel Kyte Samson Sahmland-Bowling John Keane

Thank you to the team Ayrton Fund for such a great forum full of partnerships and great collaboration ✨

Looking forward to the next stage😊