Africa is stepping confidently into a new economic era, even as global trade arrangements shift and financial markets remain volatile. That ambition will take centre stage at the Global Africa Business Initiative’s (GABI) flagship Unstoppable Africa 2025 conference, themed The Big Push: Africa Shapes the Markets, scheduled for September 21–22 in New York.
Speaking at a virtual media briefing, Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact, described the summit as a pivotal moment. “The markets will be defined by Africa’s trajectory. Africa is unstoppable. The continent is at the centre of so many opportunities. Global business and investors should look at Africa as a partner and come to do business with Africa, not in Africa,” she said.
The high-level gathering will be co-convened by the United Nations and the African Union Commission, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and AU Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf hosting on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly. Discussions will spotlight investment opportunities in infrastructure, renewable energy, digital connectivity, and regional trade integration. With its youthful population, natural resource wealth, and rapid innovation, Africa is positioning itself as a key driver of future global growth.
At the heart of this vision is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), expected to boost intra-African trade by 45 percent by 2045. Leaders see AfCFTA as central to building a self-reliant continental economy, reducing dependency on external markets, and accelerating Africa’s industrialisation.
The speaker lineup reflects the summit’s scale and ambition. Confirmed heads of state include Namibia’s Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Botswana’s Duma Boko, Sierra Leone’s Julius Maada Bio, and Angola’s João Lourenço. They will be joined by global business leaders such as Safaricom’s Peter Ndegwa, DP World’s Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Google’s James Manyika, Equity Group’s James Mwangi, and Econet founder Strive Masiyiwa. The gala dinner will be hosted by actor and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha.
Support for the conference spans across financial and media sectors. Afreximbank and Bidvest lead as platinum sponsors, while gold partners include the African Development Bank Group and Africa Finance Corporation. Media partners range from African Business to News Central TV and Wall Street Africa.
GABI is also working to broaden its digital reach. In partnership with Electrify Video Partners Foundation, it has launched an Unstoppable Africa YouTube channel that will stream the event worldwide. “Africa is home to some of the world’s youngest, most creative, and most entrepreneurial minds,” said Ian Shepherd, Co-CEO of Electrify Video Partners. “We are excited to use our YouTube expertise to highlight those stories.”
While physical attendance will be limited to invited guests, registration remains open for virtual participation through the Global Africa Business Initiative. The event offers a unique platform for Africa to present its vision for reshaping markets, deepening partnerships, and positioning itself as a global economic powerhouse.
