2024 Pathway to 17 Summit Unites Global Changemakers to Tackle the World’s Greatest Challenges

The Pathway to 17 Summit is a global virtual event focused on bringing together thought leaders, problem solvers, innovators, industry experts and practitioners working to solve the world’s greatest challenges. 

This year’s virtual event will incorporate four key thematic areas, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and innovation: Gender Changemakers, Innovative and Inclusive Fintech, Job-Creating Innovations in SDGs and Building Africa’s Digital Public Infrastructure. 

In this podcast episode we were joined by the four incredible theme leads of the 2024 summit. From Digital Frontiers, CEO and founder, Gavin Krugel, who will lead the Job-Creating Innovations in SDGs theme, and Tariro Nyimo, head of stakeholder engagement and fundraising and newly appointed regional facilitator for FinEquity Africa, who will be exploring the Gender Changemakers theme. Xavier Martin, Chief Operating Officer, will unpack how we will be Building Africa’s Digital Public Infrastructure. Sarah Corley, CEO of the Alliance of Digital Finance and Fintech Associations, will inspire and navigate the Innovative and Inclusive Fintech theme.  

The Gender Changemakers theme, with FinEquity Africa as an exclusive knowledge partner, will explore insights on women’s economic empowerment such as gender disaggregated data, women in leadership and the female economy. Tariro shared that the annual GEC Awards will end day 1 with an exciting panel discussion on the complex landscape of gendered social norms and its influence on women’s professional lives.  

Although there are still 1.4 billion people without access to digital financial services, Sarah Corley is excited to see the innovations shaping a more inclusive and vibrant fintech ecosystem. On the second day of the summit, we aim to explore how digital finance and fintech are avenues to including these 1.4 billion people into financial services globally.  

Gavin detailed how TwentyforGood aims to direct 20% of the world’s future workforce towards SDG innovations, equip them with the necessary skills and stimulate job-creating ecosystems to provide them with jobs and opportunities while making a positive impact. Day 3 will focus on 3 SDG Innovations: circular economy, climate change and food security through agri-innovations.  

Building Africa’s Digital Public Infrastructure is the focus of the final day, and how DPI is a very broad space but can break down the barriers to access in driving economic inclusion in countries. Xavier shares that the focus on DPI in Africa is important because the continent is experiencing a rapid digital transformation, and DPI can help governments ensure that digital transformation can allow everyone to participate in the digital economy.  

Digital Frontiers Institute (DFI) alumni can engage with each other, create new connections and share knowledge at Pathway to 17 Summit, which is crucial to the success of the annual event. This collaborative learning environment helps bridge the gap between theory and practice.  

CoPs are an essential element of DFI programmes, and many are now registered associations and members of the Alliance of Digital Finance and Fintech Association. The AllianceDFA have incorporated the inputs of their 38 member associations by encouraging them to contribute to the session topics, networking sessions and speaker participation. 

This year the Pathway to 17 Summit will be delivered in a virtual format via Swapcard and aims to overcome geographical and linguistic barriers, enabling individuals and organisations from around the world to connect, exchange ideas, and contribute to the collective efforts of achieving the SDGs. The 2024 Pathway to 17 Summit will conduct sessions in English with the opportunity for all language speakers to use the live translation feature available on the event platform. Find out how to set your live translation through your browser to enjoy the virtual event in your target language. (How-to video coming soon!) 

Through a combination of expert panel discussions, keynote presentations, Q&A sessions, and networking opportunities, we envision a collaborative path towards achieving the SDGs. 

Join us at the Pathway to 17 Summit, from 11 – 14 November 2024, as we navigate the route to achieving the 17 Global Goals. Register now to join us in leading empowered and inclusive societies as we support the SDGs: https://bit.ly/3XapUVy  

Read our concept note to dive deeper into our summit: https://bit.ly/4ewlPkg