Unlock Opportunities
0
+
Activities. Gain access to mentorship, investment opportunities and collaborative ventures.
Build Your Network
+
1
Attendees over the years! Connect with fellow founders, business leaders and policymakers from across Ghana.
Get Exposure
1
+
Hundreds of participants. Showcase your business to media and investors; receive feedback to refine your model.
- Friday, 10 July
- Saturday, 11 July
- Sunday, 12 July
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Registration & Welcome
10:00 am – 10:15 am
Welcome Address
Maazu Bayuoni, CPI President
10:15 am – 10:25 am
Alumni Testimonials
10:30 am – 10:50 am
Keynote Speech
Reimagining Possibilities: Building Innovation-Driven and Investment-Ready Youth Enterprises in Northern Ghana
10:50 am – 11:00 am
Fireside Chat with the Keynote Speaker
11:00 am – 11:20 am
Panel Discussion
This session brings together diverse ecosystem actors; entrepreneurs, investors, agribusiness leaders, innovation builders, and policy experts, to have the kind of conversation that usually happens behind closed doors. What makes a business investable? Where is the ecosystem failing young entrepreneurs? What does the next 12 months look like for someone serious about building in Northern Ghana? The room will have a chance to engage, push back, and take something practical away.
11:20 am – 11:30 am
Game & Trivia Session
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Networking Brunch
12:30 pm – 1:20 pm
Sector Breakout Sessions
Entrepreneurs learn best by doing, not listening. In this 40-minute breakout session, participants choose a sector in Agriculture, Fashion, or Technology and work in small groups to tackle real business challenges brought by Igniting Dreams alumni. Each alumni presents an actual problem from their business, and the room gets to work analyzing the situation, identifying root causes, and developing practical solutions together. Groups document their thinking, present their recommendations, and hear direct feedback from the alumni whose business is on the table. No theory, no hypotheticals. Just entrepreneurs solving real problems for real people in the room.
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Return to Main Conference Room for Presentations
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Closing Remarks
2:15 pm – 4:00 pm
Open Exhibition and Cultural Display
DAY TWO: PITCH DAY & AWARDS DINNER
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Welcome and Registration
10:00 am - 10:10 am
Welcome remarks
10:10 am - 10:30 am
Short speeches from program partners
10:10 am - 10:30 am
Introduction to the Pitch Competition
10:30 am - 10:40 am
Introduction of judges
10:40 am - 10:55 am
Explanation of the competition structure and evaluation criteria
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Pitch Contest Begins
1:00 pm - 1:10 pm
Closing Remarks
1:10 pm - 1:40 pm
Snack break
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Exhibition and Networking
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Igniting Dreams Excellence Awards Dinner
DAY 3: Experiential Tour
8:00 AM
Departure from Wa
En route
Larabanga Mosque & Mystic Stone · Kulmasa Crocodile Pond
Mid-morning
Mole National Park — Safari Tour & Group Photography
Afternoon
Lunch & Team Bonding
Evening
Farewell & Departure
1
ENTREPRENEURS TO PITCH
₵
1
K
Gold Prize
1
+
YOUNG LEADERS & enterpreneurs
1
REGIONS
Basic Plan
₵600 / person
Full access to the Igniting Dreams Summit
Access to the Awards Dinner and After Party
Access to keynote speeches and panel sessions
Access to the live startup pitch competition
Experiential tour with ID26 delegates
Summit materials and participant badge
Standard Plan
₵700 / person
Official Igniting Dreams 2026 T-shirt
Access to the Awards Dinner and After Party
Curated networking with founders and partners
Experiential tour to selected Northern Ghana landmarks
Complimentary meals and refreshments
Access to summit exhibitions and networking lounges
Premium Plan
₵1200 / couple
Two official Igniting Dreams 2026 T-shirts
Access to the Awards Dinner and After Party
Priority seating during key sessions and dinner
VIP networking access with speakers and investors
Complimentary access to tour and gala experiences
Exclusive discounts on CPI programs and merchandise
Tickets info
Partnerships & collaborations
What is the Igniting Dreams Summit?
The Igniting Dreams Summit is the Coalition for Positive Impact's flagship annual event championing youth entrepreneurship and innovation in Northern Ghana. It brings together founders, investors, policymakers, and partners for three days of learning, pitching, and connection — and serves as the grand finale of the Igniting Dreams Fellowship.
When and where is the 2026 Summit?
Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July 2026, at the Blue Hill Hotel in Wa, Upper West Region, Ghana.
What is the theme this year?
"Reimagining Possibilities: Youth Innovation and Investment in Northern Ghana." The theme reframes the region as a high-potential ecosystem for enterprise growth and investment rather than one defined by deprivation.
What happens across the three days?
Day 1 is the main Conference, featuring a keynote, expert panels, fireside chats, breakout sessions, a networking lunch, and a youth business exhibition. Day 2 is Pitch Day and the Excellence Awards Dinner, where 20 fellows pitch for seed funding and the Niibala Alliance alumni network is launched. Day 3 is an experiential tour of Mole National Park, Larabanga Mosque, the Larabanga Mystic Stone, and the Kulmasa Crocodile Pond.
Who should attend?
Anyone passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation, or Northern Ghana's development — including aspiring entrepreneurs, corporate executives, NGO and government leaders, investors, academics, students, and media. You do not need to be a fellow to attend.
How do I register?
Register at id.cpimpact.org/register or buy a ticket directly via bit.ly/pay4id26. For help, email info@cpimpact.org or call +233 544 766 215.
What ticket packages are available?
The Value Package is GHS 600 and covers summit access and the tour. The Standard Package is GHS 700 and adds the awards dinner and an official T-shirt. The Premium Package is GHS 1,200 and is built for two people, with two dinner spots, two T-shirts, and the tour included.
What is the Igniting Dreams Fellowship?
The Fellowship is a three-month entrepreneurship and leadership program for young entrepreneurs aged 15 to 35 from Northern Ghana. Fellows receive weekly virtual training, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, a one-week boot camp in Wa, and a chance to pitch at the Summit for seed funding. Twenty fellows were selected for the 2026 cohort.
What is the Igniting Dreams Prize?
The Prize is seed capital awarded to fellows at the pitch competition. All 20 fellows receive funding, with the top performers earning the largest amounts — the Gold Prize is GHS 100,000, followed by Silver, Bronze, and tiered awards down the rankings. Winners also enter a six-month hybrid accelerator to scale their ventures.
How is the Summit connected to the Fellowship?
The Summit is the Fellowship's grand finale. After three months of training and a week-long boot camp, fellows pitch their ventures live to judges, investors, and the public, and winners are honoured at the Excellence Awards Dinner.
Can I apply to be a fellow?
Applications for 2026 are closed — fellows were selected between March and April 2026. Watch id.cpimpact.org or CPI's social channels for the 2027 cohort announcement.
Are there sponsorship or partnership opportunities?
Yes. CPI welcomes companies, foundations, and institutions to sponsor or partner with the Summit, with benefits including brand visibility, an exhibition booth, media coverage, and strategic networking access. Headline sponsorship is valued at GHS 100,000, and custom packages can be built around your goals. Reach out to info@cpimpact.org or +233 544 766 215.
Can my business exhibit at the Summit?
Yes. Entrepreneur booths are available in the exhibition area for showcasing products, demonstrating services, and meeting new customers. Contact CPI to reserve your spot.
Who organises the Summit?
The Coalition for Positive Impact (CPI), a youth-led nonprofit based in the Upper West Region. Over seven years, CPI has reached more than 5,000 young people, trained and funded 50 entrepreneurs, and supported the creation of over 400 jobs across all five northern regions of Ghana.
How long has the Summit been running?
The 2026 edition is the 8th Annual Igniting Dreams Summit, building on a track record dating back to 2019.
What is the Niibala Alliance?
The Niibala Alliance is the official alumni network of the Igniting Dreams Fellowship, launching formally at the 2026 Summit. It keeps fellows connected and gives them ongoing access to partnerships, funding, and business-growth opportunities beyond the program.
How do I reach CPI?
Email info@cpimpact.org, call or WhatsApp +233 544 766 215, +233 553 140 897, or +233 202 685 744, or visit id.cpimpact.org. CPI is based in Wa, Upper West Region, Ghana.