The best networking event I attended this week wasn’t in a sprawling conference hall, a corporate boardroom, or a designated mixer. It happened at 35,000 feet.
I was on a flight to Uganda, heading out to deliver an Artificial Intelligence training program for Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs) across East Africa in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC). As I settled into my seat for the journey, I found myself surrounded by people whose paths had crossed mine at very different moments in my career.
It was a vivid reminder of just how small—and deeply connected—our professional ecosystem really is.
One Flight, Three Unexpected Reunions
During the journey, I had the incredible opportunity to reconnect with three distinct voices shaping Ghana’s future across different sectors:
- Nana Kusi, Founder of GanaFert Company Limited: We took a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana (AHK Ghana) cohort I trained before they departed for North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany. My role was to help prepare them to navigate German business culture and build stronger cross-cultural relationships. Hearing firsthand that those lessons proved valuable during their two-month stay was an incredibly rewarding validation of the work I do.
- Christabel Agbavitor (“The Voice”): Our paths first crossed through the Ghana FinTech Awards. Back then, the Ghana Innovation Journal was covering the event, and I had the privilege of presenting an award to Philip Twum of Fido. I also made an appearance in a documentary, sharing my perspective on Ghana’s rapidly evolving financial technology ecosystem. It was fantastic to catch up, see the continued momentum in the sector, and hear about the crowds she continues to impact.
- Enyonam, “The Ghanaian Farmer”: Enyonam is an incredible advocate for agriculture, media, and storytelling. We originally met through the Netherlands Embassy in Ghana’s POMBI Network—a vibrant community of stakeholders working to strengthen the country’s horticulture value chain. She remains a powerful and necessary voice in the agricultural space.
The Compounding Value of Relationships
One flight. Three conversations. Three distinct reminders that professional relationships compound over time.
If there is one major takeaway from this experience, it is this:
Careers are not built exclusively in meeting rooms. They are built through genuine relationships, unexpected reunions, and a willingness to invest in people long before you know exactly where the journey will lead.
Never underestimate the person sitting beside you—whether at a conference, in a coffee shop, or on an airplane. They might already be a part of your next chapter.
Tags: AI, Trade, Innovation, Uganda, East Africa, Networking, Trade Promotion, ITC, Digital Transformation, International Trade, Leadership, The Innovation Spark, Ghana Innovation Journal
