Sharaf Mahama, CEO of Legacy Rise Sports, has called for international support to elevate sports and community development across Africa. 

Mr Mahama was speaking during the prestigious Sports, Entertainment, and Impact (SEI) Summit at Harvard Law School. 

The two-day event on the theme: ‘The Business of Doing Good’ brought together global leaders to explore innovative ways to leverage sports and entertainment for social and economic change. 

Speaking on the panel: ‘Scoring Big: Elevating Sports and Entertainment Through Impact Investing’, Mr. Mahama outlined his vision for using sports as a catalyst for transformation. 

“My vision is not only to elevate athletes to achieve their full potential but also to impact the communities they come from” he said, emphasizing that talent development must go hand-in-hand community development. 

He said Legacy Rise Sports, which he leads, prioritized inclusivity as a core value and “We create opportunities for everyone, regardless of their backgrounds and the company’s commitment to empowering young athletes from diverse circumstances.” 

He said the power of impact investing was a strategy that aligned financial returns with social progress. 

He urged global investors and institutions to partner with African companies to unlock the continent’s immense potential. 

“Africa is a continent of opportunities, and we call for foreign collaboration to enhance the skills and talents we have,” he said. 

Mr Mahama said by aligning resources and expertise, international stakeholders could help shape a future where sports drive sustainable development and inspire the next generation of athletes and changemakers. 

He said collaboration was key to developing Africa’s vast pool of talent and creating pathways for success both on and off the field. 

The SEI Summit underscored the transformative role of partnerships in tackling global challenges.