Global Africa Business Initiative Calls for Bold Reimagining of Africa’s Economic Future

Temitope Adebayo

The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) has released the Unstoppable Africa 2024 Executive Summary, outlining key strategies to accelerate economic development across the African continent.

The report, launched after the Unstoppable Africa 2024 event held on September 25-26, 2024, highlights critical areas such as energy access, trade, digital transformation, creative industries, and sports as major drivers of growth.

Held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the event attracted over 4,000 participants, including six Heads of State and Government from Barbados, Côte D’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Eswatini, the Netherlands, and Poland. Also in attendance were 14 Government Ministers from 13 countries and prominent business leaders from across the globe.

The conference also featured top figures from the private sector, creative industries, and sports, all coming together to chart a path for Africa’s economic future.

The Unstoppable Africa conference revolved around five major themes:
“Energy Access and Transition”.The Mission 300 initiative was a key focus, aiming to provide clean energy access to 300 million Africans by 2030. Case studies from Togo, Mauritania, and Ghana showcased how mini-grids and renewable energy are improving electricity supply in underserved communities.

Inclusive Growth and Trade – Participants discussed the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in boosting intra-African trade and attracting private sector investments.

Digital Transformation – Africa’s youthful population and fast-growing tech sector were highlighted as critical to the continent’s future. The launch of Itana, Africa’s first Digital Economic Zone, was celebrated as a milestone for remote business operations and cross-border trade.

Creative Industries – Africa’s fashion, film, music, and entertainment industries were identified as major contributors to job creation and global influence.

Sports Development – Calls were made for greater investment in sports infrastructure and continental leagues, with initiatives such as the Queens of the Continent Foundation and the NBA Africa Startup Accelerator Award gaining recognition for their impact.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Sanda Ojiambo, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, emphasized the need for global partnerships:

According to her, “The Unstoppable Africa 2024 Executive Summary captures the groundbreaking discussions and solutions from the event. It is both a progress report and a call to action for sustained collaboration in Africa’s development.”

GABI has announced that the next edition of Unstoppable Africa will hold at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on September 21-22, 2025.

Ahead of the main event, GABI will also host regional engagements, including a side event at the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on May 12-13, 2025. These meetings will serve as platforms to deepen discussions on key issues before the flagship event in September.

For more details and access to the Unstoppable Africa 2024 Executive Summary, visit GABI’s official website.