Leaders and stakeholders from across Africa are now calling on inclusive participation and solution-driven innovations as they commit to tackling pressing challenges, marking the end of the two-day Unstoppable Africa event.
The summit that was slated for September 25-26 was held alongside the UN General Assembly under the theme “Unstoppable Africa: Shaping Global Ambitions for Agenda 2063.”
The event attracted over 2,000 leaders, CEOs, investors, policymakers, and innovators, all focused on positioning Africa as a global leader.
Key topics included unlocking inclusive trade growth, Africa’s role in clean energy, digital advancements, and the global impact of African creativity and sports.
During the summit, UN Assistant Secretary-General Sanda Ojiambo commended the Africa Business Leaders Coalition for its leadership, noting a nearly 25% reduction in carbon footprints among participating businesses since launching a climate statement at COP27.
On her part, Deputy Secretary- General Amina J. Mohammed stressed the critical role of Africa’s private sector in driving impactful change.
“With the right investments and partnerships, Africa is poised for transformative growth,” she said.
A major highlight during the summit was the launch of Itana, Africa’s first Digital Free Zone.
This initiative aims to enable global technology, finance, and service businesses to operate seamlessly in Nigeria and scale across Africa, entirely online.
Itana targets to offer attractive incentives, including tax breaks, streamlined immigration processes, and tailored banking solutions, along with a live-in accelerator program and live-work districts that showcase the future of African urban development.
During the summit, a panel on closing Africa’s climate finance gap revealed that the continent receives less than 5% of global climate funding despite its renewable energy potential.
Another panel explored the rising significance of Africa’s cultural and creative industries, highlighting their role in economic growth and reshaping narratives.
A discussion on the digital economy included insights from leaders like Rwanda’s ICT Minister Paula Ingabire, and Safaricom’s CEO Peter Ndegwa, who emphasized the necessity for strategic financing and inclusive policies.
Additionally, a session on the African fashion sector showcased the industry’s growth potential, with a focus on female designers dedicated to establishing a competitive presence in the global market.
The event also served as a platform for announcing significant partnerships aimed at shaping Africa’s future which included:
- Mine Tech Hub Contribution: Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema announced a significant contribution to the Mine Tech Hub, which aims to promote technological innovation in the mining sector, ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth.
- Timbuktoo Initiative: UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang expressed his strong support for the Timbuktoo Initiative, a global effort led by UNDP Africa focused on youth empowerment, digitalization, and sustainable development.
- Infrastructure Collaboration: Turkish construction company SUMMA and TAV Airports announced a collaboration to enhance infrastructure development and investment opportunities in Africa.
‘‘We believe in the transformative power of infrastructure to shape the future of Africa. For over a decade, we have proudly partnered with nations across the continent creating opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and improved quality of life,” SUMMA chairman Selim Bora said.
“‘Unstoppable Africa’ is a testament to the resilience, ambition, and growth that we see across the region.”
Other key initiatives that were announced for 2025 include:
- Food Systems: GABI signed a $250,000 partnership with PepsiCo to mobilize the private sector in Africa to transform food systems. The partnership will coincide with key milestones, including a GABI Bridge at the UN Global Compact Annual Local Network Forum in South Africa in 2025 and the Food Systems Summit.
- Education: A planned partnership with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) will focus on transforming Africa’s education systems. This collaboration plans to build on the outcomes of the 2022 Transforming Education Summit and begin with a side event hosted by GPE during Convene in 2025.
The 2024 GABI event concluded with optimism and a shared commitment to harness Africa’s potential for global leadership.
With concrete plans and partnerships now established, the initiative is poised to continue its momentum toward a future where Africa leads on the global stage.
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