Entrepreneur Marvin Tumwesigye Leverages SPIEF 2024 for Global Business Growth and Innovation

From June 5-8, 2024, Russia hosted the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), where President Vladimir Putin addressed business leaders from around the globe.

My friend Marvin Tumwesige, a social entrepreneurial and innovator I've known since our days at Namirembe Hillside High School, attended the forum and shared his experiences with me.

To provide some context, the 2023 SPIEF attracted over 17,000 participants from 130 countries, both online and offline. The event saw the signing of more than 900 agreements worth a total of RUB 3.860 billion.

Marvin's company, GME Ltd., includes a media unit, and we often collaborate on various projects. Currently, he is working on a project called "School Sphere," where he and his team leverage digital marketing and AI to enhance the outreach of educational institutions, helping them effectively communicate their messages to their target audiences.

This year, CGTN reported that SPIEF 2024 confirmed over 18,600 participants from 139 countries and territories, including Russia. Marvin, eager to leverage this global event for his business ideas, applied to attend and was accepted.

During our conversation, Marvin, who is also involved in real estate and finance, shared how the forum opened his eyes to numerous business opportunities in Russia, often overlooked due to Western economic sanctions. Russia, with its $2 trillion economy, has been courting major economies like China and Saudi Arabia and is looking to strengthen ties with Africa in the long term.

The forum significantly expanded Marvin's network, connecting him with like-minded individuals worldwide who could become potential business partners and mentors. He was particularly impressed by the innovative technologies and emerging trends showcased by various exhibitors.

Marvin also noted Russia's willingness to do business with diverse economic partners, despite significant economic differences. He interacted with numerous government and business leaders, learning about the importance of building sustainable corporations through collaboration.

Moving forward, Marvin plans to optimize the connections he made at SPIEF and secure partnerships to scale his business globally. Knowing Marvin for over a decade, I'm not surprised by his progress. In S.5, he founded a science and tech club that remains vibrant at our former school. His only employment stint was a four-month tenure as a sales executive at Crane Bank during university. The skills he gained there have been invaluable in founding his company immediately after graduation.

SPIEF 2024's main business program was divided into four thematic areas: "Transition to a Multipolar World Economy," "Goals and Objectives of Russia's New Economic Cycle," "Technologies for Leadership," and "Healthy Society, Traditional Values and Social Development: The Priority of the State." Since its inception in 1997, SPIEF has become a premier global platform for discussing key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets, and the world.