From Vision to Reality: Bringing the African Business Conference to Life

Edith Too, MBA ’25

I am a second-year MBA student at the Ross School of Business with a professional background in the financial services sector. Before coming to Michigan Ross, I managed credit portfolios and led partner engagements across the Middle East and East Africa regions, experiences that deepened my commitment to driving inclusive growth through sustainable finance.

My journey with the Africa Business Club began the very moment I stepped onto campus. As an international student transitioning from Africa, I was drawn to ABC’s commitment to community. The club provides opportunities for students to connect, learn, and grow together. It became my anchor: a space where culture, connection, and purpose intersected. 

What began as a source of support quickly became an avenue to lead and serve. In my second year, I stepped into the role of vice president of the Africa Business Conference and had the honor of leading the planning and execution of our inaugural conference in February 2025. With a bold vision, we built something powerful from the ground up. The conference became a celebration of African innovation, resilience, and opportunity.

Mena Melaku, MBA ’25

I am a second-year MBA student at the Ross School of Business, graduating in May 2025. My professional background lies at the intersection of women’s health and social innovation. Before coming to Ross, I worked at YeneHealth, a digital health startup in Ethiopia focused on improving access to women’s reproductive health services. I led our marketing and community engagement efforts, working to build trust with our users and amplify conversations around health equity in underrepresented communities across Ethiopia.

As an international student, finding a sense of community was incredibly important. From the moment I began my MBA application process, the Africa Business Club offered interview prep, recruiting advice, and, most importantly, a space where I felt seen and supported. That early connection became the foundation of some of the most meaningful friendships I’ve built at Ross.

From Vision to Reality

Africa is full of potential: endless talent, rich resources, and groundbreaking opportunities for innovation. But when we talk about Africa’s future, we must also acknowledge the obstacles: gaps in infrastructure, investment challenges, and policy barriers that can significantly slow progress. That’s exactly why we created the African Business Conference: to bring people together, have real conversations, and find ways to push forward. We wanted to bring together people who care about Africa, whether they’re from the continent, connected to it, or simply curious about its opportunities. We wanted to create a space for students, experts, leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to collaborate, share insights, tackle challenges, and uncover opportunities.

This experience was a powerful learning opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs, consultants, and investment bankers, offering deeper insights into market dynamics while expanding our networks with industry leaders, investors, and founders across the continent. The lessons and connections gained will be instrumental as we strive to drive impactful business solutions in the years ahead.

Hearing directly from entrepreneurs who built successful businesses despite regulatory, political, and financial challenges deepened our appreciation for the resilience and creativity required to succeed in Africa’s business landscape. Investors shared how they assess risk and identify opportunities, providing a clearer understanding of capital decisions in emerging markets. Policy leaders offered insights into government efforts to create more business-friendly environments. These discussions reinforced our responsibility to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges and contribute to meaningful change.

Beyond the sessions, the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, ask candid questions, and receive mentorship was invaluable. These interactions enriched our learning and challenged us to think critically about how finance, strategy, and operations theories apply in fast-growing, complex markets.

Overcoming Roadblocks

When we set out to organize this conference, there was no blueprint, no sponsors, no partnerships, and no existing network. Just a small club at Ross with a big vision. But we didn’t let that stop us. We knocked on doors, made calls, and pitched our idea. We heard "no" more times than we could count, but we kept going. We reached out to professors, University of Michigan organizations like the William Davidson Institute and the Africa Studies Center, and Ross alumni, hoping they’d see what we saw: the potential for something bigger.

Momentum slowly built. Professors like Ted London and John Branch opened their networks and connected us with speakers who brought depth and insight to our discussions. Knowing our audience came from various industries, we designed the conference to span multiple sectors: finance, technology, entrepreneurship, and beyond, making it accessible to everyone. 

An Electric Atmosphere

On the day of the event, as we stood in the room, the conference seemed much bigger than what we had been planning for months: it had a life. The conversations, the connections, and the energy all reinforced why we took on this challenge. Students walked away not just with knowledge but with a deeper appreciation for Africa’s role in global business and the opportunities ahead. And for us, that made it all worth it.

CEOs, founders, academics, and industry leaders took the stage, sharing their insights and hard-earned lessons. When our 16 incredible panelists came together with a packed auditorium of engaged participants, it led to a space where ideas flowed, perspectives were challenged, and meaningful connections were made.

Our panels explored some of Africa’s biggest opportunities: energy, fintech, infrastructure, healthcare and entrepreneurship. One of the most powerful moments reframed the narrative around Africa: not as a continent of challenges but as a continent of opportunities. African entrepreneurs aren’t just navigating obstacles; they’re solving real problems, creating jobs, and setting new global standards.

Our Entrepreneurship Panel and Business Showcase highlighted companies driving financial inclusion, building sustainable infrastructure, transforming agribusiness, and expanding digital connectivity, all through homegrown solutions and cutting-edge technology. (Check out the Business Showcase here)

One of the most inspiring moments of the conference was welcoming our keynote speaker, Zeynab Diakite, a founding member of ABC from the 2010–2011 cohort. She was happy to be part of this and to see the club's vision thriving after more than a decade.

Looking Ahead

None of this would have been possible without the support of many people, including our board, sponsors, and partners at the William Davidson Institute and the African Studies Center. We are especially grateful to our amazing planning committee: Ahmed Adebayo, MBA ’25; Eugene Baafi-Kwakye, MBA ’25; Ufuoma Odje, MBA ’25; Mena Melaku, MBA ’25; and Adewale Asimolowo, MBA ’25, and to every speaker and participant who believed in the vision and helped bring it to life. We hope you had as much fun as we did, and we can’t wait to see you next year!

Stay tuned for updates on our LinkedIn page; you won’t want to miss what’s next!