Earlier this month, we had the privilege of hosting 100 young leaders from across the continent, courtesy of Absa Group and Duke Corporate Education.

Our community of experts, Christopher Odongo, Susan Wamae, Angela Kioi, Doreen Zaki, Paul Karingithi and Joy Thuo held nothing back. They spoke candidly about their entrepreneurial journeys, the opportunities and challenges of building businesses in Kenya, and what it truly takes to lead with purpose.

Across both sessions, a few powerful themes emerged:
💡 Always lead with value and always know your why. Purpose is the foundation everything else is built on.

🎯 Customer centricity is not a strategy, it’s a mindset. The businesses that win are the ones that embed the customer into every decision, every day.

🌱 The early days are hard, but the lessons they carry are everything. From navigating legal and regulatory environments to building investor-ready businesses and managing team dynamics, our experts shared the real, unfiltered story of what building looks like.

🤝 Your network and your reputation are assets. Build them intentionally.

At SNDBX, this is what community looks like: experts pouring into the next generation of African leaders, and a room full of young professionals leaving with more than just knowledge, but with real tools, real stories, and real inspiration to take back home.

To Absa Group and Duke Corporate Education, thank you for trusting us to be part of this journey.