GABI pushes to strengthen Africa’s role in shaping global business solutions

Onome Amuge

The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), a leading organisation championing the economic interests of the African continent, has announced its plans to convene a high-level gathering of government officials, business leaders, and industry experts in New York City from September 25-26,, 2024.

The event, announced at a virtual press briefing, aims to forge new partnerships, identify opportunities for growth, and address the unique challenges facing African businesses, with the ultimate goal of advancing the continent’s role in shaping global business solutions and strengthening its position as a key player in the global economy.

The 2024 GABI summit, themed “Unstoppable Africa: The Solution for a Global Future,” is poised to not only showcase Africa’s remarkable economic strength and boundless potential but also serve as a launchpad for new, practical solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. From advancing energy transition and ensuring access to clean, sustainable power to promoting digitalisation and inclusive growth, Unstoppable Africa will provide a platform for African leaders to assert the continent’s position as a pioneer in the global quest for a more equitable and environmentally sustainable future.

According to the organisers, the 2024 GABI event will be held alongside the Summit of the Future, a landmark meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.

A key pillar of this year’s event is a partnership formed between the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the African Union Commission, which aims to unlock Africa’s business potential and harness it as a catalyst for sustainable development. This partnership seeks to advance the objectives of the African Union’s 2063 Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, working towards a more prosperous and sustainable future for the continent.

Sanda Ojiambo, the assistant secretary-general and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact, which convenes GABI, noted that Africa, with a market estimated at over $3 trillion, is poised for unprecedented growth and development.

Ojiambo highlighted the fact that Africa’s GDP growth rate is projected to outperform the global average, with an expected growth rate of 3.8 percent in 2024 and 4.2 percent in 2025.

The UNGC chief remarked further: “GABI was born from a powerful realisation: the world has been doing business in Africa, but not always with Africa. We stand to rebalance that equation. GABI is not just another forum; we are a solution-oriented platform dedicated to shaping Africa’s business future. 

“Our mission is clear: Convene, Connect, Catalyze, and Convey. We convene stakeholders to address Africa’s unique challenges, connect Africa’s private sector with global partners, catalyse sustainable growth through collaboration, and convey support for initiatives that deliver real results.”

Ojiambo further explained that the “Unstoppable Africa” event will be a powerful catalyst for collaboration and innovation, bringing together Africa’s brightest minds and global leaders to develop sustainable solutions.

Ojiambo stressed the importance of Africa’s success for the entire world, stating, “When Africa wins, the world wins.” According to Ojiambo, GABI serves as a crucial meeting point, where Africa’s leaders have the opportunity to engage with political, business, and philanthropic leaders from around the globe

The Unstoppable Africa event will feature presentations by prominent business leaders and global executives including: Antonio Guterres, United Nations secretary general; Amina J. Mohammed, United Nations deputy secretary-general; Aliko Dangote, founder, CEO, and chairman, Dangote Group; Selim Bora, chair, Summa International Construction; Makhtar Diop, managing director, International Finance Corporation (IFC); Mo Abudu, CEO, Ebony Life Group.

Other distinguished personalities confirmed to speak at the event include: Claire Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, Sara Sabry, Africa’s first female astronaut, Masai Ujiri, president of the Toronto Raptors, James Manyika, SVP of technology and society at Google-Alphabet, Agnes Kalibata, president of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and Hassanein Hiridjee, CEO of the Axian Group.

The Global Africa Business Initiative firmly believes that if the appropriate investments, partnerships, and opportunities are in place, Africa’s private sector has the potential to be a powerful catalyst for change, driving progress in a world that is in dire need of solutions to critical global challenges.

To this end, the Unstoppable Africa event is poised to provide a forum for Africa’s current and future leaders to collaborate, generate actionable commitments, and drive change. 

Moreso, the platform will offer Africa’s change-makers an opportunity to band together, harnessing their collective creativity, expertise, and passion to tackle global challenges with impactful solutions and transformative actions that can drive progress and deliver a more prosperous, sustainable future for the continent.