The African Professional Network of Ireland (APNI), founded in 2016, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to connecting and empowering professionals of African descent in Ireland. APNI offers a variety of programs including themed events, webinars, workshops, and career development initiatives. The organisation aims to foster collaboration, provide career support through mentorship and networking events, and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. APNI also partners with various organisations to enhance job opportunities and support mental health services​ (APNI)​. 

After their successful Lions Den event for budding entrepreneurs last month I interviewed the APNI President Edima Ene Inyang to find out more

1. Can you provide some background to the APNI? What are the main areas that you help African professionals in Ireland?

APNI’s mission is to empower Black and African professionals in Ireland by providing them with the resources, networks, and support needed to achieve their full potential. The organisation envisions a thriving community where African professionals are well represented, successful, and influential across various sectors in Ireland.

Through its diverse range of programmes and initiatives, the APNI continues to make significant strides in supporting its members and promoting a more inclusive and equitable professional landscape in Ireland.

2. Within the professional environment, what are the main areas that African professionals may not have the same access to as their Irish counterparts?

African professionals in Ireland may face several barriers and inequalities compared to their Irish counterparts. Key areas where disparities are often observed include:

Employment opportunities or Job access: African professionals might experience discrimination in hiring practices, leading to fewer job opportunities. Studies have shown that applicants with African-sounding names are less likely to receive interview callbacks than those with Irish-sounding names. This survey conducted last year suggests to anonymise the early stage of recruitment processes and more diversity among interview panels could make for more diverse workplaces.

Networking and Mentorship: They might have less access to professional networks that can help in finding job opportunities, gaining industry insights, and advancing careers. Limited access to mentors and sponsors who can provide guidance and advocate for their career growth.

Credential and Qualification Recognition: Challenges in the recognition of foreign qualifications can hinder African professionals from securing roles commensurate with their skills and education. They might be required to undergo additional certification or training.

Addressing these disparities requires concerted efforts from employers, policymakers, and society to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. This includes implementing fair hiring practices, providing equal opportunities for advancement, recognizing and valuing diverse qualifications, and fostering inclusive work environments.

3. Can you tell me about some of the programmes you run outside of the Lions Den event?

At the African Professional Network of Ireland (APNI), we run several impactful programmes designed to support and elevate professionals of Black and African origin in Ireland. These include:

A. Mentorship programme

• Career Accelerator Mentorship: This programme pairs emerging professionals with experienced industry experts who provide guidance, support, and insights to help mentees navigate their career paths, develop key skills, and achieve their professional goals. It is a great opportunity for mentees to gain valuable advice and build a strong network.
• Community Mentorship: This initiative focuses on fostering community spirit and empowering individuals through peer to peer support. It encourages knowledge sharing, personal growth, and community building by connecting individuals who can support each other’s personal and professional journeys

B. Championing and Celebrating Inspirational Community Members

• International Men’s and Women’s Day: We host events to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black men and women in various fields. These events provide a platform  to highlight role models, celebrate achievement, share success stories, discuss issues that affect members of the community and networking opportunities

C. Creating employment opportunities through jobs board and careers fair

• Careers fair and jobs posting board: Our careers fair is a pivotal event that brings together job seekers and our corporate partners/employers who are committed to driving a more diverse and inclusive workplace. It provides a platform for attendees to connect with potential employers, learn about job opportunities, and gain insights into various industries. The fair also includes workshops and seminars on topics such as CV writing, interview skills, and career development strategies. 

D. Highlighting Afro-Irish and African Diaspora founded startups through Business Pitch Competition. 

• Champion entrepreneurship among the Afro-Irish and African diaspora communities in Ireland. Six businesses are shortlisted from a large pool of applicants by an independent committee and these shortlisted businesses will vie for public votes and pitch for the opportunity to win funding (cash prizes), access to accelerator programs, mentorship and VC network.

4. What are some of the other events that you run throughout the year?

APNI big events are usually hosted per quarter and webinar series to engage our community and provide expert knowledge are hosted monthly. Upcoming events can be found on our website: https://www.apni.ie/upcoming-events 

5. What are the best ways you find of attracting new participants to the network each year?

Attracting new members and expanding the APNI community is crucial to our growth, sustainability and mission delivery.

A. Active social media presence:

Creating a dynamic online presence by leveraging LinkedIn and Instagram especially to reach a broad audience through the sharing of engaging content, success stories, upcoming events, member highlights. We also use targeted advertising on these platforms to reach professionals of Black and African origin in Ireland who might not yet be aware of the APNI. We also find press releases and media articles highlighting our successes and community impact are also effective in generating interest

B. Partnership collaborations:

Collaborating with corporate organisations, educational institutions and community groups to increase visibility, reach and access to their networks and attract new members and volunteers who are aligned with our mission and values

C. Our engaging and interactive events

Our events are designed to be highly engaging and valuable to all attendees. All events often attract new participants who are looking for professional development opportunities and community support. Hosting webinars, workshops, and networking events on relevant topics also attracts new participants and future members who are interested in gaining insights and making connections through the APNI

6. What are the main objectives of the Lions Den Business Pitch Event?

The Lions’ Den Pitch Competition is  to inspire, encourage and support entrepreneurs along their journey to grow their businesses in Ireland and to become global brands. Starting and running your own business in today’s economy can seem like a daunting challenge with businesses navigating the cost of living crisis, post-COVID supply chain disruption and high interest rates among other factors

The goal of the initiative is to promote Afro-Irish and African Diaspora founded  businesses; we want to play our part in supporting these businesses by giving them a platform to promote their ideas, get access to capital, build their network and connect with mentors and other support systems

7. Who was eligible to participate in the business pitch competition?

Call for applications are open yearly and we welcome  from all who meet the following criteria; If a founder/co-founder of a startup or business at the idea or proof of concept or traction stage. If you, the founder/co-founder, are of African Descent or Afro-Irish based in the Republic of Ireland. Lastly, If your business was not shortlisted as top 3 in past lion’s den competitions. 

8. Can you give me some details about the night itself? Where will the events be held, what is the process for registering to attend and outside of the contestants and judges, who will be participating in the event itself?

The evening began at 18.00 on Thursday 6th June and was held at DogPatch Labs, featuring a judging panel Q&A for each of the shortlisted businesses followed by a keynote by Chris Kanwei – Investment Executive at Aviva Capital Partners, networking evening with music and African food.

9. Who were some of the notable judges or panellists involved in the event?

The judging panel evaluated the businesses based on these criteria; Valid Business Case, Innovation, Product-Market Fit, Economic and ESG Impact. With support from Furthr.ie, the entrepreneurs were equipped with skills to enter the 2024 Lions’ Den.  

Some of the notable judges were; Iseult Ward – the co-founder and CEO of an Irish charity and social enterprise, FoodCloud, focused on tackling food waste and food insecurity, through the redistribution of surplus food. Ayo Olabimtan – Past APNI President and Investment Manager at Microsoft. Barry Brennan – Venture Partner at Elkstone and an Independent Non Executive Director. Rumbi Makanga – Global Ecosystem Lead at Seraphim Space Accelerator and Des McCarthy – CEO of Microfinance Ireland. 

10.  Who were some of the successful teams at the competition?

• 2nd Runner up –  Charted Group offers AI-powered solutions for seamless travel, providing personalised recommendations, optimised routes, and real-time assistance to ensure your trips are enjoyable and stress-free. We understand the importance of experiencing new places and cultures, and we strive to make every travel opportunity memorable. 

11. Who are some of the other people, companies or programmes involved in? 

At the African Professional Network of Ireland (APNI), we deeply appreciate and commend all corporate and community organisations that strive to create diverse and inclusive workplaces. As Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DE&I) are essential pillars for fostering innovation, equity, and a thriving professional environment, we believe that every effort to promote these values is a step towards a better, more inclusive society.

We are confident that our previous partners and 2024 partners are the benchmark and admired for their focus and thought leadership.

While there are many commendable companies and programmes contributing to DE&I, we would like to highlight a few the APNI would aspire to partner with in future are

• Diversity Charter Ireland: This organisation plays a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusion across various sectors. Their commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces is aligned with APNI’s mission.
• Deloitte Ireland: Deloitte is renowned for its comprehensive inclusion programmes, including initiatives that support gender equality, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and cultural diversity. Their efforts to create an inclusive workplace set a high standard in the industry.
• Accenture Ireland: Accenture’s dedication to driving DE&I is evident through their numerous programmes aimed at supporting diverse talent and promoting an inclusive culture. Their leadership in this area is truly inspiring.
• Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI): Through their Elevate initiative, BITCI provides practical support to companies aiming to enhance their DE&I practices. Their work in promoting responsible business practices is highly valued.
• Irish Centre for Diversity: This organisation supports businesses in embedding best practices in diversity and inclusion through training, consultancy, and the Investors in Diversity accreditation programme.
• Open Doors Initiative: By providing employment and education opportunities to marginalised groups, the Open Doors Initiative exemplifies the impact of inclusive practices on social and economic integration.

All our partners lead the way in DE&I in Ireland and the APNI is proud to acknowledge their efforts and looks forward to continued collaboration in promoting a more inclusive professional landscape for all.