Key Points:
- Call for Inclusive Finance: Global Africa Business Initiative urges concessional financing, private investment, and domestic resource mobilization to unlock Africa’s potential.
- Sectoral Focus: Clean energy, digital transformation, creative industries, and sports identified as core growth drivers.
- Global Stage Presence: “Unstoppable Africa” 2024 drew over 4,000 participants, including six Heads of State and top business leaders.
Africa at the Center of Global Transformation
The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) has released its Unstoppable Africa 2024 Executive Summary, calling for a fundamental shift in how Africa’s economic narrative is shaped and financed. The report emphasizes building an inclusive financing model that addresses Africa’s unique challenges while changing global risk perceptions.
Sanda Ojiambo, UN Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, said:
“By highlighting key initiatives and partnerships, this report underscores our commitment to positioning Africa at the center of global economic transformation… We believe that by aligning with the aspirations of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063, we can unlock the full potential of Africa and contribute to a prosperous future for all.”
Key Achievements Highlighted
The report spotlights the Mission 300 initiative to provide clean energy to 300 million Africans by 2030, with successful models from Togo, Mauritania, and Ghana. It also underscores the role of SMEs in Africa’s energy transition, calling for more finance and climate knowledge support.
In digital transformation, Africa’s youthful population and rapid tech adoption are cited as growth engines. Initiatives like Itana, Africa’s first Digital Economic Zone, are enabling global and Pan-African companies to operate online and tap into the continent’s talent.
The creative economy is recognized as a driver for jobs, tourism, and global branding, while sports are seen as a tool for economic growth and cultural diplomacy through modern infrastructure and continental leagues.
Five Themes Driving Change
- Energy Access and Transition: Partnerships, policy, and blended finance.
- Inclusive Growth and Trade: Private investment and AfCFTA progress.
- Digital Transformation: Skills for youth and bridging the digital divide.
- Creative Industries: Cultural sectors as economic and global influence hubs.
- Sports: Infrastructure and leagues for economic and social benefits.
Looking Ahead to GABI 2025
The 4th Unstoppable Africa will be held 21–22 September 2025 in New York, alongside the UN General Assembly. Ahead of the flagship event, Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) will host GABI Bridges forums, including a side event at the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan on 12–13 May 2025, to advance targeted discussions and partnerships.
H.E. Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General and Board Chair of the UN Global Compact exclaimed:
“We are joining forces around the critical theme, Unstoppable Africa. This theme reminds us of the importance ofstrengthening partnerships to amplify progress and prosperity on the continent and around the world. Unstoppable Africa needs our unstoppable efforts, to spur development for all, to ensure just and equitable transitions in critical areas like renewable energy, food system, education, and digital transformation, to make meaningful reforms to the global financial architecture so all countries get the support they need and deserve and to boost African jobs and economic prosperity through historic initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area. I thank the African Union for its leadership and all of you for your collaborations as we work as one to ensure that Africa’s future is one of peace, prosperity and opportunity for all.”
Full report: Unstoppable Africa 2024 Executive Summary
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