NEW YORK, United States of America, September 22, 2025 – Unstoppable Africa 2025, the flagship forum of the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), kicked off in Times Square, New York, bringing together presidents, CEOs, policymakers, investors, and multilateral leaders to spotlight Africa as the driving force of the next wave of global growth.
Hosted at the Marriott Marquis, the event took place ahead of the 80th United Nations General Assembly and was co-hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Moderators included CNN’s Larry Madowo and Al Jazeera’s Folly Bah Thibault, underscoring the global attention the forum commands.
Reframing the Narrative
With the theme Unstoppable Africa 2025, the forum shifted the conversation from “doing business in Africa” to “doing business with Africa.”
Key discussions highlighted energy, critical minerals, healthcare, education, fashion, and the creative industries as engines of inclusive growth.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized Africa’s unique role:
“The world meets at a time of turbulence and opportunity, and Africa stands at the center of that opportunity.
From its young population to its vast energy resources and creativity, Africa has the potential to drive sustainable prosperity.”
Ms. Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, added:
“The time has come to embrace a new narrative for Africa. We are shifting from doing business in Africa to doing business with Africa. Unstoppable Africa 2025 embodies this transformation.”
High-Level Participation
The forum brought together 14 CEOs and multilateral leaders representing companies across 16 African countries, with combined revenues of US$22 billion.
They called on governments to improve business environments, harmonize policies, and accelerate investment in infrastructure and trade.
Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman of ECONET Global and Cassava Technologies, said:
“Unstoppable Africa has become a powerful platform for African and global leaders, and the world’s biggest companies to engage with Africa.”
Focus on Critical Sectors
Sessions at Unstoppable Africa 2025 tackled urgent themes shaping Africa’s development and global integration:
Energy Transition: Leaders announced plans for 32 nations to sign new energy agreements, with ambitions to mobilize $50 billion in affordable finance under Mission 300 to expand electrification.
Critical Minerals: Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Hon. Bogolo Kenewendo, outlined strategies for local mineral processing to retain more value within Africa, while Symbion Power’s Paul Hinks emphasized the importance of diversifying global supply chains.
Trade and Infrastructure: Angolan President João Lourenço highlighted the Lobito Corridor as a catalyst for regional trade, while Botswana’s President Duma Boko stressed harmonized laws and faster approvals to facilitate business.
Green Industrialization: Africa50 CEO Alain Ebobissé called for African institutional investors to allocate more resources to infrastructure, pointing out that even raising allocations from 3% to 5% could significantly close the funding gap.
Driving Africa’s Global Role
H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of the African Union Commission said:
“Unstoppable Africa is more than a slogan. It is a recognition of our potential and a determination to act.
Building a just, sustainable, and prosperous world will be anchored in shared values and equitable partnerships.”
The event also featured the Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC), which hosted a roundtable on unlocking intra-African trade, underscoring the private sector’s vital role in achieving growth ambitions.
As Unstoppable Africa 2025 continues into Day Two, sessions will focus on digital transformation, food systems, and investment opportunities.
With Africa holding one-third of the world’s critical minerals, the youngest population globally, and a dynamic private sector, the forum reinforced the message that Africa is no longer on the periphery but at the heart of global economic conversations.
About the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI):
Launched in 2022, the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) is designed to reposition Africa’s narrative in the global economy.
Its platform drives investment, supports Agenda 2063 and the SDGs, and prioritizes sustainable growth across energy, trade, health, education, digital transformation, and creative industries.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Global Africa Business Initiative.
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