Programme

With a market size opportunity of more than $3 trillion, GDP growth at 4% and a demographically young market, it is clear Africa represents an investment opportunity for the visionary entrepreneurs bold enough to bet on the continent, in partnership with the public sector leaders on the continent and in the diaspora. A conversation with one of the key public sector leaders.

How can Africa’s largest economy ramp up its growth?

We explore the urgent need to reshape the global financial system, positioning Africa not as a mere participant but as a driving force in shaping inclusive and accessible economic landscapes. How can the global financial framework be reengineered to grant Africa a leading role in crafting economic policies that benefit its countries, industries, and citizens?

AI is more than a buzzword; it's a force redefining our future (this specific session note was written with the assistance of AI). This dialogue will dissect the high stakes and big wins AI brings to the trade and economic conversation in Africa, laying out a blueprint for the continent that is not just catching up but leading—sustainably, innovatively, and inclusively.

A conversation on the booming opportunities in U.S.-Africa business relations, as this session serves up real stories of the triumphs, pitfalls, and potent strategies that bring lucrative deals to life between the two regions. The esteemed panel will drop gems and insights providing fresh perspectives on how the US and Africa get to do business, and turn the African marketplace into the next big wins for entities willing to make the play.

Rapid Talk: The urgency of businesses accelerating sustainable development

Financing green growth and climate solutions is a challenge that transcends the remit of many governments, especially in the developing world. 

How can private capital help to bridge the gap? 

2023 has seen a shift in the narrative around Africa’s role in the global energy transition and climate challenge as result of ambitious commitments from African leaders. This session aims to build on the growing momentum to urgently resource Africa’s climate and clean energy revolution – that could place Africa at the helm of a future where it can reach its full economic development potential while achieving clean energy and climate targets.

Set up video - Ghana’s Energy Transition & Investment Plan Launch

• Ugo Nwadiani, Co-President of Microlumbia Impact Fund

This discussion will showcase the untapped potential of Africa’s Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM) and the transformative role of Carbon Market Activation Plans (CMAPs) in driving growth. It aims to provide confidence that African governments are moving in the right direction by utilizing the potential of VCM to attract investors and promote just and equitable energy transitions for the benefit of their people and communities.

This session explores Africa's pivotal role in the burgeoning landscape of electric cars and sustainable energy. We'll go beyond the narrative of Africa as just a supplier, delving into the continent's capability for innovation and leadership in these sectors. Our panelists will provide insights into how Africa can be an integral player in shaping the future of global sustainability.

Moderator

• Aubrey Hruby, Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Council's Africa Center and co-founder of Insider and Tofino Capital

Please join us  for an in-depth discussion on the battery and electric vehicle initiative led by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. This is an interactive opportunity to learn more about why this initiative is a game-changer for Africa, and beyond, perhaps globally, in terms of reshaping global supply chains. Learn about where the initiative started, where it is now and what the next steps are.

We put the spotlight on the continent's key economic drivers and the necessity for innovative public-private partnerships. How can savvy investors capitalize on the continent's unrivaled opportunities and the potential of its demographic dividend, which offer generational investment prospects?

We will unpack how smart investment in transport and digital frameworks can ignite intra-African trade, fuel innovation, and forge resilient, continent-wide value chains. This is the conversation for anyone committed to leveraging transport as the catalyst for AfCFTA's promise and Africa's trading future.

This is the session that dives deep into the game-changing financial hacks that are catapulting Africa onto the global stage. We've got an esteemed panel who will break down how the private sector is not just playing in the arena, but also rewriting the rules, sealing Africa's access gap and making capital flow like never before. This is where finance meets frontier markets, as this session will lay out. 

We are at a pivotal moment where healthcare meets cutting edge technology in Africa. In this session, we immerse ourselves in the groundbreaking Blue Room—a data and intelligence hub that is recalibrating the future of healthcare on the continent. By fostering a new generation of data scientists and health professionals, this hub aims to make an unprecedented impact on various aspects of community health. We'll take a deep dive into how data analytics are revolutionizing community healthcare, from assisting nurses to significantly reducing maternal mortality rates. This is more than innovation; it's a catalyst for sustainable change. Don't expect business as usual; we're on the fast track to transforming Africa's health landscape.

As the need to accelerate sustainable development becomes urgent, what role does business play in the continent’s green transition? This session with an esteemed group of panelists discusses the ingenious funding mechanisms and collaborations that are propelling the continent toward a sustainable future. Get ready for actionable insights that could redefine Africa’s green economic trajectory. 

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the crucial role of Africa CDC as the guardian of Africans’ lives and health. Its prominent role in battling the virus earned global kudos, giving the institution a much-needed boost in carrying out its mission. Where does it go from here? Let’s ask the Director-General.

Future Focus: Pivotal Conversations for Impact

In this fireside chat, Caroline Wanga dives into her field that sits at the cross-section of creativity and business, and how she is shaping the narrative and relationship between Africa and the African diaspora through Essence Ventures. The conversation will navigate through her collaborations that have served as cultural and economic vehicles for the African American community, and her forward-looking vision for the creative and business ecosystems that connect Africa and its diaspora. The session is designed to offer a focused yet expansive view of Caroline's influence and future aspirations in these interconnected worlds.

This session explores the strategic roles women are playing in identifying and solving problems, providing leadership, and seizing opportunities within the African trade landscape. This main stage dialogue underscores the significance of African women and their contributions as indispensable forces in Africa's vibrant trade sphere.

Join an exhilarating sequence of talks. With a keen eye on the future, they'll explore the boundless potential of digital transformation to reshape Africa.  This is a journey into a digitally empowered Africa, a vision of the continent where prosperity and sustainability intertwine, and where technology is the catalyst for impactful change.

 This panel features a group of tech visionaries and stakeholders at a roundtable discussion focusing on the groundbreaking technologies shaping the continent's future and how African tech talent is scaling innovations for global impact. 

The world is awakening to the African promise of the tremendous potential of Africa’s tech startups.  Innovative venture financing is emerging to bridge the gap to realizing the potential.  A bold and ambitious private-public sector joint initiative, timbuktoo, aims to transform Africa through a new African venture financing model that recognizes the power of investing in ecosystems.

The "Off the Court and Across Africa: The Economy of Sports" panel explores how sport boosts Africa's economic growth by creating jobs in areas like sports infrastructure, media rights, tourism, and sponsorships. The discussions focus on athletes adopting an entrepreneurial mindset and forming equity-based relationships with corporate entities, going beyond traditional endorsements. This global shift, evident in the $2.5 trillion sports and entertainment industry, opens promising opportunities for equity-driven collaborations across Africa. 

A Virtual Watch Party – an online interactive platform- will be available for attendees to log on with 2-3 athletes to watch and comment on conversations. 

How can sports play a dual role in directly and indirectly creating jobs?  What are the various business opportunities that sports can catalyze in areas such as sports infrastructure, media rights, tourism, and natural resources?

How are athletes leveraging their sports careers to go beyond traditional roles and adopting an entrepreneurial mindset to contribute to thriving economies while utilizing their platforms to positively impact the communities they come from?

Based on the work Bismack Biyombo has done to date across the Democratic Republic of Congo, this five-minute segment will be an opportunity to discover and spread ideas that spark imagination, embrace possibility and catalyze impact. Biyombo will speak to the impact of sports on his community and the economic growth that has accelerated from key local partnerships and natural resource investments.

Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Folorunsho Alakija as she navigates the complexities and triumphs of being a female leader in Africa's business landscape. She'll share her personal journey, shedding light on the unique challenges women face and offering strategies to command male-dominated spaces. Come ready to unpack the nuances of female leadership in a global context.

This session will explore the future of payments in Africa, and how instant and inclusive payment systems can help to boost economic growth and inclusion. What are the key challenges and opportunities for instant and inclusive payment systems in Africa? How can governments and businesses work together to promote the adoption of these systems? What are the potential benefits of instant and inclusive payment systems for African consumers and businesses?

Kickoff the closing part of the conference with a riveting series of incredible monologues as we explore the magnetic creativity flourishing across Africa's vibrant artistic landscape. From the pulsating rhythms of music to the compelling narratives of film, from the avant-garde trends in fashion to the emotive expressions in art, this session is an enlightening journey through the rich and diverse creative talents that are redefining Africa's cultural identity and global influence. This isn't merely a celebration of artistic excellence. It's an imperative call to action for businesses, policymakers, and communities to recognize and invest in Africa's creative industries. 

In an era where tech meets artistry, Africa's creative industries stand as pillars of progress and job creation. This debate zeroes in on how the African Continental Free Trade Area can boost this vibrant sector. Join thought leaders from art, music, fashion, and film to discuss the transformative role of creativity in shaping a resilient Africa.

Topic: Is the creative economy a real aspect of Africa’s ascension on to the global stage, or is it a figment of the creative community’s imagination?

This is a session highlighting the creative and cultural industries. This creative session is curated by Style House Files Lagos Fashion Week and showcases the intersection between Africa’s textile and apparel ecosystem, socio-economic development, and climate change. This keynote promises an insightful exploration of the intricate relationship between tradition and innovation. Through the lens of Woven Threads, the session will unravel the tales spun by skilled artisans, weaving together the rich narratives of diverse African cultures.

A conversation that explores the rich tapestry of African storytelling through an exploration of Africa Fashion, an exhibition birthed by Victoria and Albert Museum and is now live at the Brooklyn Museum. Through captivating visuals and engaging anecdotes, the session will uncover the essence of African culture, tradition, and history that has been carefully preserved through generations of storytelling.

This session delves into the multifaceted dimensions of the African fashion industry, shedding light on the intricate tapestry of cultural, economic, and social factors that often remain hidden beneath the surface. The session includes a conversation around cultural appropriation to dissect the nuances of cultural borrowing, seeking to understand how African heritage can be celebrated and shared respectfully, without erasing its origins. Unpacking the production challenges, from sourcing sustainable fabrics to addressing manufacturing limitations and skilled manpower shortages, provides a holistic view of the obstacles faced by the industry. 

In this intimate and engaging fireside chat, Senegalese global music sensation, Baaba Maal, will take the audience on a journey through the beats and melodies that define Africa's rich cultural heritage. In a conversation with Aisha Augie, Maal shares his unique insights into the creative industry, revealing the passion, artistry, and entrepreneurship that fuel his success. This conversation will delve into the intersection of music, culture, and business, highlighting how creative entrepreneurs are indeed the lifeblood of Africa's vibrant creativity. 

Unstoppable Africa: The Africa We Want

Attendees will be asked to contribute their commitments, ideas, or projects that align with the GABI themes, essentially writing the future of Africa in real-time during the conference. This collaborative document would be displayed live on a screen during the conference.

To execute, we will use conference tech that allows multiple users to contribute text in real-time. Attendees would have the option to add to the Living Manifesto throughout the conference via their mobile devices.

As the conference draws to a close, DSG Amina Mohammed, will read select commitments from the Manifesto, thereby incorporating the voices of GABI attendees into the conference.

For takeaways and keepsakes, a high-quality digital edition of the "Living Manifesto" will be made available that participants can leave with, reminding them of their commitments and the collective vision for Africa.