Africa’s ‘Big Push’: Leaders and Industry Gather in New York to Shape the Continent’s Economic Future
By Karabo Ngoepe
With global economic uncertainty growing and traditional trade agreements fraying, Africa is boldly positioning itself at the center of the world’s economic future.
This ambition takes clear shape at the upcoming Global Africa Business Initiative’s flagship event, Unstoppable Africa 2025, set to convene on September 21-22 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York, during the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
For business leaders, this event represents a unique opportunity to gain access to burgeoning new markets, influence policy development, and form strategic partnerships that could redefine future enterprise landscapes.
It is an unparalleled platform to navigate the evolving global economic context with unique insights directly from visionary African leaders.
Under the rallying theme, “The Big Push: Africa Shapes the Markets,” this high-profile forum will bring together African Heads of State, leading business figures, investors, creatives, and policymakers in an unprecedented call to harness Africa’s vast resources, youthful workforce, and innovative spirit to transform the continent and the global economy.
Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact, described the event as “a crucial moment for Africa to act decisively,” emphasizing that “The markets will be defined by Africa’s trajectory.”
She urged global investors “to come to do business with Africa, not in Africa,” reinforcing a vision of partnership and respect for Africa’s agency.
The conference agenda is ambitious and comprehensive, focusing on accelerating investment and development in critical sectors such as infrastructure, digital connectivity, renewable energy, and regional trade integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
For instance, in the infrastructure sector, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway stands as a flagship project expected to enhance trade routes and boost regional connectivity.
In digital connectivity, the Liquid Intelligent Technologies initiative aims to provide high-speed internet across Africa, transforming business and education.
The renewable energy sector sees innovations like the Lekela Power projects that harness wind energy to sustainably power African communities.
With AfCFTA projected to increase intra-African trade by 45% by 2045, it presents a clear roadmap to reduce dependence on external markets and create a robust, integrated African economic space.
Africa’s untapped potential is staggering. From abundant critical minerals like cobalt and lithium essential to the global green economy, to vast solar and wind energy capacity and the world’s youngest population, the continent is rich in the ingredients for transformative growth. Yet, bridging the gap between natural wealth and industrialisation remains a challenge.
The call is for Africa to climb up the value chain, build manufacturing capabilities, and produce goods for both local consumption and export.
Among the distinguished confirmed speakers are Presidents Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (Namibia), Duma Boko (Botswana), Julius Maada Bio (Sierra Leone), and João Lourenço (Angola), alongside business and creative sector leaders such as Peter Ndegwa (Safaricom), James Mwangi (Equity Group), Strive Masiyiwa (Econet), and actor and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha, who will host the gala dinner.
Supporting this dynamic lineup is a network of global sponsors and partners, including Afreximbank, Bidvest, the African Development Bank Group, Meta, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Media partners supporting the event span influential publications and broadcasters such as African Business, Business Day, and Nation Media Group, guaranteeing global visibility.
As a bridge between African enterprises and the global marketplace, Unstoppable Africa serves as a platform to amplify success stories, foster strategic partnerships, and deliver actionable solutions amid global disruption.
The event embraces digital innovation, creative industries, youth entrepreneurship, and sustainable development as key levers in Africa’s economic transformation.
Key partnership mechanisms employed during the event include matchmaking sessions, roundtables, and dedicated deal rooms, all designed to encourage proactive engagement and facilitate meaningful connections among participants.
Ahead of the conference, GABI has launched the What Makes Africa Unstoppable campaign, highlighting real African voices and achievements and spreading an inspiring narrative through its dedicated YouTube channel.
Ian Shepherd, Co-CEO of Electrify Video Partners, highlighted the power of storytelling, saying: “We are excited to shine a light on Africa’s creative and entrepreneurial potential so audiences everywhere can see the continent’s promise.”
Though the New York event is invitation-only, robust virtual participation is available, broadening access to policy dialogues that will shape Africa’s growth path for the coming decades.
Virtual attendees can expect interactive sessions that include live Q&A opportunities, networking forums to connect with key industry leaders, and access to exclusive digital content.
This is designed to ensure that participants joining remotely can engage meaningfully and derive substantial value from the conference.