By Ayomide Otitoju
New York’s Times Square played host to Africa’s economic aspirations on Friday as heads of state, business leaders, and policymakers convened for Unstoppable Africa 2025, the flagship forum of the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI).
Held at the Marriott Marquis ahead of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, the forum underscored a major shift in narrative—from doing business in Africa to doing business with Africa. Discussions focused on energy, critical minerals, healthcare, education, and the creative industries as drivers of Africa’s next growth wave. The event was hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, with CNN’s Larry Madowo and Al Jazeera’s Folly Bah Thibault moderating.
In his opening remarks, Guterres described Africa as central to global progress amid turbulence. “Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, has vast energy resources, and extraordinary creativity across sectors—from fintech and agribusiness to fashion and artificial intelligence,” he said. “Our responsibility is to turn these possibilities into sustainable prosperity, aligned with the SDGs, Agenda 2063, and the Pact for the Future.”
Sanda Ojiambo, UN Global Compact CEO, reinforced the call for a new approach. “The time has come to embrace a new narrative for Africa. We are shifting from doing business in Africa to doing business with Africa,” she said.
Formed in 2022, GABI works to rebalance Africa’s economic engagement by promoting sustainable business in line with the SDGs and Agenda 2063. Its priority sectors include energy, trade, digital transformation, food systems, education, health, fashion, creative industries, and sports.
A closed-door session brought together the UN Secretary-General, President João Lourenço of Angola, AU leaders, and 14 CEOs representing firms from 16 African countries with a combined US$22 billion in revenues. Business leaders urged governments to improve the investment climate, citing the need for policies that encourage industrial growth, regional trade, and long-term investment.
Econet founder Strive Masiyiwa described Unstoppable Africa as “a powerful platform for African and global leaders, and the world’s biggest companies to engage with Africa.”
Throughout the day, speakers stressed the need to accelerate access to energy, expand clean power, strengthen healthcare and education, and support creative industries. AU Commission Chair Youssouf called the forum “a recognition of Africa’s potential and a determination to act,” stressing the importance of equitable partnerships.
A trade-focused session featured WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who highlighted Africa’s potential to attract supply chain investment amid global disruptions. She emphasized opportunities in textiles, agriculture, and mineral processing, pointing to Africa’s reserves of critical resources needed for the green energy transition.
Angola’s President Lourenço cited the Lobito Corridor as a gateway for regional trade and industrialization, while Botswana’s President Duma Boko urged harmonized laws and faster approvals to boost cross-border commerce.
Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Kenewendo, stressed local value addition in mining, while Symbion Power Chairman Paul Hinks highlighted demand for African-processed critical minerals to reduce global reliance on China.
The Rockefeller Foundation’s Rajiv Shah noted that 32 nations are expected to sign energy agreements this week, with African leaders seeking to mobilize $50 billion in affordable financing to expand electrification under Mission 300.
Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50, urged African institutional investors to commit more resources to infrastructure. “African institutions manage over US$2 trillion, but less than 3% goes to infrastructure. Raising this to 5% could close the funding gap significantly,” he said.
The Africa Business Leaders Coalition also convened a roundtable urging harmonized regulations across the continent to unlock trade.
The forum continues Saturday with sessions on digital innovation, food systems, and investment opportunities across Africa.
