With a number of seemingly intractable social and geo-political issues in the news, I am delighted to have witnessed the transformative power of strategic philanthropy at the Milken Institute’s 2024 Global Forum Transformative Philanthropy and Innovation Conversation, and also congratulate the winners of the Milken-Motsepe Global Green Energy US$1 Million Grand Prize Award.

Nearly a million people worldwide are without access to electricity – and thus the Milken-Motsepe Prize was launched by MI Chairman, Micheal Milken and Motsepe Foundation Co-Chair, Patrice Motsepe in 2023 to incentivize entrepreneurs around the globe to expand access to reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity.

Following a year-long in-depth process that included 24-hours of in-field testing in South Africa for each entrant, it was inspiring to learn about the five finalists companies innovations, which included a young start-up from Nigeria.

The Milken Institute 2024 Global Conference’s Transformative Philanthropy and Innovation Plenary also brought together visionary leaders and game-changing philanthropists, Louise Richardson, Carnegie Corporation, Strive Masiyiwa, Econet Group & Higher Life Foundation, Mark Walter, TWG Global & Guggenheim Partners, and Pablo Legorreta, Royalty Pharma in exploring how their actions are addressing our most urgent global challenges through impact investing and tech solutions to transform the landscape and approach to social and environmental issues.