The recent Unstoppable Africa summit concluded with a strong commitment from leaders and stakeholders across the continent to foster inclusive participation and innovative solutions in addressing pressing challenges. Held from September 25-26 alongside the UN General Assembly, the summit brought together over 2,000 leaders, CEOs, investors, policymakers, and innovators under the theme “Unstoppable Africa: Shaping Global Ambitions for Agenda 2063.” The event focused on positioning Africa as a global leader through discussions on unlocking inclusive trade growth, 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 significant progress, noting a nearly 25% reduction in carbon footprints among participating businesses since the launch of a climate statement at COP27. Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed underscored the critical role of Africa’s private sector, emphasizing that with the right investments and partnerships, the continent is poised for transformative growth.
A major highlight of the summit was the launch of Itana, Africa’s first Digital Free Zone, designed to facilitate global technology, finance, and service businesses operating seamlessly in Nigeria and scaling across Africa. This initiative aims to provide attractive incentives, including tax breaks, streamlined immigration processes, and tailored banking solutions, coupled with a live-in accelerator program that showcases the future of African urban development.
Key discussions during the summit included closing Africa’s climate finance gap, which revealed that the continent receives less than 5% of global climate funding despite its vast renewable energy potential. Insights from leaders like Rwanda’s ICT Minister Paula Ingabire and Safaricom’s CEO Peter Ndegwa highlighted the necessity for strategic financing and inclusive policies in driving Africa’s digital economy.
The summit also served as a platform for announcing impactful partnerships aimed at shaping Africa’s future, including President Hakainde Hichilema’s contribution to the Mine Tech Hub for sustainable growth in the mining sector, and support for the Timbuktoo Initiative focused on youth empowerment and digitalization. Additionally, Turkish construction company SUMMA and TAV Airports announced a collaboration to enhance infrastructure development and investment opportunities across Africa.
The 2024 GABI event concluded with optimism and a shared commitment to harness Africa’s potential for global leadership. With concrete plans and partnerships established, the initiative is poised to continue its momentum towards a future where Africa leads on the global stage, with significant initiatives planned for 2025 in areas such as food systems and education.
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