Reflections

As we reflect on 2024, we can’t help but feel grateful for the growth, challenges, and partnerships that defined our year. It’s been a mix of hard work (read smart work :D), collaboration, and moments that made us pause and appreciate how far we’ve come. This year was packed with new adventures and milestones. Here are a few highlights that stood out: Growing Footprints We kicked off 2024 working across 6 countries, and by the end of this year, we found ourselves operating in 24 countries. The growth wasn’t just in numbers. Our team expanded from 10 to 38 by year-end, bringing their diverse perspectives and talents into the mix. Watching our community evolve, take on new challenges, and truly own their work has been one of the most rewarding parts of this year. Partnering for Global Impact Collaborating with JDC: Driving Impact Across Africa We’re continuing our work with JDC, building on last year’s efforts to improve livelihoods, climate resilience, last-mile healthcare, and disaster response in Africa. From research to on-ground pilots, it’s all about creating real, lasting impact. With Danish Refugee Council: Mapping Livelihood Opportunities in Burundi We’re partnering with DRC to map private sector opportunities for returnees, host communities, and IDPs in Burundi. We’re focusing on alternative energy, financial services, and agriculture – identifying key stakeholders, assessing hiring challenges, and exploring incentives to drive inclusive growth. Partnering with ILRI: Livestock Meets Carbon Markets in Kenya We’re collaborating with ILRI to explore how livestock systems in Africa can engage with carbon markets. Our work will focus on analyzing sector challenges, identifying growth opportunities, and shaping a strategic research agenda for sustainable progress. Impact Stories 2024 was about making an impact that matters. Here are a few projects we’re especially proud of: Tomorrow.io Tomorrow.io, a weather technology company utilizing space-based data and AI/ML models, aimed to expand operations across Africa to enhance weather forecasting and resilience against climate-related risks. However, navigating the unique political and business landscape of many African countries posed significant challenges. Tomorrow.io partnered with us to drive strategic market entry, establish local partnerships, and position their services for long-term growth. Our collaboration identified 10 key markets, secured 4 signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), and initiated work with government stakeholders to lay the foundation for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) deals, accelerating the deployment of Tomorrow.io’s weather technology across Africa. Rescue.co Rescue.co, an emergency response platform, connects individuals and businesses to ambulances, rescue teams, and hospitals, offering 24/7 medical rescue, roadside assistance, and air evacuation. We identified 4 key markets across Africa and Southeast Asia ready to transform their emergency services. By assessing local ambulance services and dispatch centers, we created a strategic expansion plan. Our facilitation of stakeholder negotiations and joint ventures positioned Rescue.co to scale and expand its life-saving services to new regions. Paving the Way for Next-Gen Aviation in Africa We teamed up with an innovative aviation company to support their expansion across Africa, focusing on advanced air mobility and next-gen aircraft. Navigating regulatory landscapes, we worked closely with civil aviation authorities and local aviation companies to identify use cases and collaboration models. We kicked off a pre-certification path in a key African market – a crucial step toward eventual Federal Aviation Administration certification. With progress underway, we’re excited to see these cutting-edge aircraft in the skies soon! Growing our expertise beyond tech We teamed up with some incredible organizations this year. Some of them gave us a chance to grow our expertise beyond our focus sectors- climatetech, dronetech and healthtech. A global chocolate company aimed to build a more ethical cocoa sourcing model, eliminating child labor and supporting education in farming communities. To strengthen their supply chain, we explored partnerships focusing on cost efficiency and community impact. During field visits to Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, we engaged directly with cooperatives, shaping sustainable solutions rooted in local insights. LinkedIn milestones: More than just numbers We’re now a LinkedIn family of 2000+… While we’re not exactly influencers, we’re thrilled to see more people engaging with our journey and mission. Our new content series, including Bytes from our country experts, tailored market insights and weekly top business news recap, is gaining traction and resonating with our audience. One of the highlights was celebrating our second anniversary virtually and ofcourse we did it in GSD style. Here’s what our people had to say- What is GSD to you in one word? What’s one thing you’d put in a ‘GSD Survival Kit’? What is your vision for GSD? Beyond the day-to-day Outside of day-to-day work, we kept busy with events and initiatives that sparked fresh ideas. Here’s what had us stepping out, and collaborating: Sharing Lessons at INSEAD Our team got to step into the classroom at INSEAD to teach a course on doing business in Africa- about the deals that didn’t quite land, the partnerships that flourished, and the lessons that shaped how we operate today. Connecting at COP29 Climate intersects with everything we do – from health and agriculture to drones and tech. At COP29, we represented our clients, like Tomorrow.io, who are driving climate resilience. Being there helped us connect with global leaders, hear fresh perspectives, and explore partnerships that can scale impact. Sparking Dialogue at Summits and Forums We were at AHTS Rwanda 2024 – as a key organizing partner! It was a transformative gathering focused on improving healthcare across Africa. One highlight? We organized the Drone for Healthcare Forum, bringing together panelists to explore how drone technology can tackle infrastructure challenges and revolutionize healthcare delivery. Our team joined thought leaders at the Elevate Africa Summit to discuss innovation, economic development, and the role of entrepreneurship in shaping Africa’s drone landscape. The Impactwell Medical Innovation Symposium provided yet another platform to engage with innovators and changemakers across health-tech sector. Our founder discussed successful strategies for implementing med-tech solutions in diverse African markets.  In collaboration with MHealth, we hosted a webinar that brought together leading voices from across Africa. The session sparked fresh insights into the evolving health tech