African Business Leaders Push for Sustainable Devt Opportunities at UNGA79

Samuel Mobolaji

Prominent African business leaders convened at the World Trade Center in New York City for the Africa Breakfast Convos, a key event held alongside the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79). Co-hosted by global communications firm Allison Worldwide and African public relations company BHM, the gathering brought together executives from across Africa and the U.S. to discuss strategies for driving sustainable development and fostering economic growth across the continent.

In her opening remarks, Claudine Moore, Managing Director for Africa at Allison Worldwide, emphasized the crucial role communication and innovation play in advancing Africa’s sustainable development agenda. “By harnessing the power of communications and innovation, we can accelerate Africa’s socio-economic progress towards achieving its sustainable development goals,” Moore said.

A key theme that emerged from the discussions was Africa’s youthful population, which is seen as a significant driver of future growth. With 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population under the age of 30 and projections indicating that one-fifth of the global population will be African by 2030, the continent’s global importance was a focal point of the talks.

A panel discussion on technology and finance featured insights from Iyin Aboyeji, co-founder of Future Africa, Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services Officer at MTN Nigeria, and Anie Akpe, founder of African Women In Tech (AWIT). Okigbo noted the growing impact of African businesses, stating, “African businesses are not just solving local problems; they’re turning billion-dollar problems into billion-dollar opportunities.”

Aboyeji stressed the critical role of the African diaspora in fostering growth on the continent. “There is an opportunity for Africa’s diaspora to orchestrate greater impact by leveraging aggregated remittances as capital to establish sustainable infrastructure,” he explained.

The creative economy also took center stage during a discussion led by media executives Sam Onyemelukwe, Senior Vice President of Global Business Development at TRACE, and Ayo Animashaun, Founder and CEO of Hip TV and The Headies. Onyemelukwe highlighted the global influence of African pop culture, while Animashaun emphasized the creative industry’s potential as a powerful engine for job creation and economic growth.

Ayeni Adekunle, Founder and CEO of BHM, underscored the event’s importance in fostering meaningful dialogue. “This gathering is an opportunity to have the right conversations about our continent—both its opportunities and challenges. We’re creating a space where ideas can turn into impactful initiatives that drive sustainable growth,” Adekunle remarked.

Throughout the event, participants’ emphasized Africa’s potential for investment and collaboration. According to data from the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to Africa remained stable at $48 billion in 2023, despite a challenging global environment, though the continent’s share of global FDI was just 3.5%.

Moore added, “The Africa Breakfast Convos offers a unique platform for influential voices and decision-makers from Africa, the U.S., and beyond to collaborate and drive sustainable growth and social impact across the continent.”