THE SAIS 2024 OFFICIAL BRIEFING - SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN SPORTS INVESTMENT

Posted on Wed, Aug 21, 2024 11:47 AM

On Monday, August 19th, 2024, the NESG Auditorium at Summit House, Ikoyi, Lagos, was abuzz with energy as Sport Nigeria hosted the official briefing for the highly anticipated Sports Africa Investment Summit (SAIS). The hybrid event attracted over 100 attendees in total, creating a vibrant atmosphere of collaboration and excitement.

The stage was set with elegance and anticipation as attendees enjoyed coffee and conversation during the pre-event registration. At 12:15 PM, the introductions began, and shortly after, Mr. Ade Adefeko, representing the Chairman of Sport Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo, took the podium to deliver the welcome remarks. His enthusiasm was contagious as he spoke of the transformational potential of SAIS for Africa’s sports landscape.

Following Mr. Adefeko, Ms. Nkechi Obi, CEO of Sport Nigeria, took the spotlight. Her presentation on the Sports Africa Investment Summit captivated the audience. She outlined the vision of hashtag#SAIS, emphasizing the economic, social, and infrastructural impacts that were expected. She spoke of connecting Africa to global sports investors, fostering partnerships, and positioning Africa as a powerhouse in sports investment.

Goodwill messages followed, with Ambassador Afolabi Oke of the African Union 6th Region Global leading the charge. He emphasized Africa’s rising prominence in the global sports arena. Further messages of support came from prominent institutions, including the Gulf African Commercial Representation and the Institute of Directors (IoD), all underscoring their belief in Africa's potential to become a powerhouse in sports.

An engaging Q&A session provided an interactive platform for stakeholders to explore the summit’s potential impact further. The event closed with a heartfelt address from Mr. Yahaya Maikori, Vice Chairman of Sport Nigeria, who expressed gratitude to the participants and looked ahead to a new era of sports investments across Africa.

It was an afternoon where vision met opportunity, setting the stage for what promises to be a groundbreaking and transformative summit.

For more updates on how to be a part of SAIS 2024, visit the SAIS page on our website!