By Ayomide Otitoju
Major projects aimed at positioning Africa at the forefront of global innovation were unveiled at Unstoppable Africa 2025, where CEOs, investors, and policymakers gathered to explore the continent’s growing role in the world economy. Announcements included ambitious plans to expand Africa’s artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and deepen investment across technology, healthcare, and financial services.
Strive Masiyiwa, Zimbabwean billionaire and Founder of Econet Global and Cassava Technologies, revealed plans to establish Africa’s first network of AI factories, powered by NVIDIA GPUs. The facilities, expected to be completed by the end of 2026, will accelerate homegrown innovation and strengthen Africa’s participation in the global AI economy.
Meta also signaled new investment opportunities in Africa’s digital ecosystem. Kojo Boakye, the company’s Vice President for Public Policy in Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey, said the initiative underscores Meta’s confidence in Africa’s growing technology and AI potential.
The announcements reflect a broader push for locally led solutions and long-term planning to strengthen regional integration, competitiveness, and resilience.
In financial services, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and African pension and social security institutions launched the Africa Savings for Growth initiative to channel institutional savings into long-term investments. The program builds on AFC’s analysis that identified $1.17 trillion in institutional assets across Africa, much of which remains in low-yield, short-term instruments.
The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), which hosts Unstoppable Africa, also introduced two new Action Pathways—on digital transformation and healthcare. These aim to improve digital infrastructure, expand internet access, boost healthcare access through technology, strengthen supply chains, and attract new investment into critical sectors.
Day Two of the forum also spotlighted Africa’s creative and sports industries, with contributions from filmmaker Ava DuVernay, Paralympic champion Mpumelelo Tevin Mhlongo, climate advocate Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun-Githae, chef Marcus Samuelsson, and singer Tiwa Savage, who closed the event with a performance.
Closing the forum, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed emphasized Africa’s resilience and self-determination. “Unstoppable Africa is a space to remind ourselves that this is who we are, it is our narrative, on our terms that we go forth,” she said.
Hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Unstoppable Africa 2025 took place ahead of the UN General Assembly, positioning Africa’s economic transformation and innovation agenda at the center of global discussions.
