by Akintomiwa Agbaje

The economic future of Africa is driven by access to finance by its ever growing population of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). As part of the 2014 edition of the Africa CEO Round-table & Conference on Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility (AR-CSR™); ThistlePraxis Consulting is pleased to announce the third edition of the Sustainable Solutions Showcase, an initiative that seeks to promote, expose and connect innovations and inventions of social entrepreneurs with potential investors, partners, clients, customers and collaborators. Due to the fact that growing investments and ideas will continue to depend on financial support to actualise and promote innovative dreams, SSS 3.0 will showcase best ideas, goods, services and inventions of various types that are original and creative, ecologically friendly, capable of meeting specific social and economic needs and having potential for enterprise and return on investment.

The entries will be screened by a Project team of experts from Thistle Praxis Consulting, AR-CSR™ conveners and Sponsor organisations. Products, services or initiatives must be unique, practical and must useful in solving an existing problem, or meeting the needs of the public. The best three entries will be selected to participate at the 4th of the AR-CSR™ and the promoters will present their initiatives at the CEO Round-table to leading business leaders, captains of industries, CEOs and C-suite professionals in the private and public sector. Also present at this session will be the 2014 Keynote Speaker and Lead Discussant, Dr. Donald Kaberuka – President, African Development Bank Group (AfDB) – and Brian Kuwik, Vice President and Africa Regional Head, Accion International amongst leading business leaders and corporate executives from reputable organisations and financial institutions.

If your innovation or business fits these descriptions and can readily be presented to business leaders for possible investment opportunities and collaborations, then this opportunity is for you.Interested individuals are encouraged to enter for the challenge by registering at the event website: http:///www.ar-csr.com or sending an email to: [email protected]. Deadline for submission of entries is Midnight, Central African Time, May 15, 2014 to [email protected]. The entries will be screened by a project team of experts from ThistlePraxis Consulting and only successful candidates will be notified by May 29, 2014.

Entries should contain the following: Product description details showinga detailed description of your product and an explanation on how it meets the criteria stated above, a brief profile of the organisation, social enterprise or individual, including structure and size. A short video of not more than 5 minutes in length showing a demonstration of the product may be an added advantage and is strongly encouraged. The conveners of the AR-CSR™ assure all interested individuals that details of applicants’ intellectual property will be treated with utmost confidentiality and respect.

However, conveners are not liable for consequences which may arise after the presentations, exhibition and subsequent interaction with potential funders and/or partners.

The 2014 edition of the AR-CSR™ scheduled to take place at the Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar, Cross River State from June 19-20, 2014 is presented with support from Shell Nigeria, Diamond Bank, Heritage Bank, Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency Office and hosted by the Cross River State Government. Ventures Africa and Leadership Newspapers are Media Sponsors. Registrations have commenced in earnest for the event whilst the impressive live up of speakers and further details can be obtained from http://www.ar-csr.com.

– To place an advertorial, email [email protected]