Africa Connect Series: Forum Inspires Professionals and Entrepreneurs to Unlock their Potential

The forum provided a vibrant platform for participants to set bold, actionable goals and gain valuable insights from some of Kenya’s most influential leaders.

Under the theme “Vision Casting,” the event featured powerful keynote speeches, an interactive panel discussion, and dynamic networking sessions. Speakers shared their personal journeys, strategies for success, and lessons learned from overcoming challenges, creating an atmosphere of motivation and practical learning.

One of the most impactful moments came from Lenin Oyuga Sembo, Head of Telco Commercial and Partnerships for the Middle East and Africa Region at Mastercard. Reflecting on his own experience, he shared, “Getting kicked out of a client’s office was a defining moment; it forced me to refine my focus. Success requires boldness, consistency, and resilience. Later, I closed business with the same client, proving that a ‘no’ is just a redirection, not the end.”

Deborah Auko Tendo, Head of Commercial at Fargo Group Kenya, spoke about the concept of resilience, emphasizing the importance of perseverance even in tough times. She explained that knowing when to move on requires self-reflection and honest conversations with one’s support network. According to Tendo, it involves evaluating personal efforts, being true to oneself, and seeking feedback from trusted friends who can provide objective perspectives that one may struggle to acknowledge independently.

Jacob Ouma, Group Managing Director at Admedia Communications, underscored the importance of adaptability and learning through life’s different seasons. “If there is a gift or something that you should desire as a person, it’s the capacity to be agile and versatile. In my walk, I have learned to morph with whatever comes my way... Life is about seasons, and you have to know the season that you are in; you have to read the seasons right. And when you morph into another season, failing forward is carrying the lessons of that season to this new one.”

Sheila Mugusia, Chief Manager at Kenya Revenue Authority, highlighted the importance of building influence through understanding and problem-solving. “One of my key learnings is that there are many interests at different levels all the time. So, for me to create a level of buy-in into some of the initiatives that we’d like to push, it is important that we have conversations... to articulate what it is I want to do, but importantly to understand what the problem is so that I find the solution in what I am offering... The moment you position yourself that way, you build your credibility and begin to influence many spaces.”

Beyond the speeches, the forum offered hands-on learning experiences on business growth strategies, innovative thinking, and effective collaboration. Participants engaged in valuable networking sessions, connecting one-on-one with industry leaders and potential collaborators, making the event as practical as it was inspiring.

The resounding success of the first edition has set the stage for future events in the Africa Connect Series. The next forum promises to build on this momentum, continuing to empower professionals and entrepreneurs across Africa. The ultimate goal remains clear: to create a platform that not only inspires but also equips individuals with the tools they need to achieve their goals.