Unstoppable Africa 2025, the flagship business forum of the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), took place on 21–22 September 2025 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York, alongside the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The event convened global business leaders, investors, innovators, and multiple Heads of State to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation and reposition the continent at the center of global markets.
The theme, “The BIG Push: Africa Shapes the Markets,” emphasized Africa’s evolving role not just as a destination for business but as a driver of global trade and innovation. Discussions spanned trade and industrialization, digital infrastructure, energy transitions, healthcare systems, critical minerals, and the creative and sports sectors. According to Africa Renewal, the forum underlined Africa’s readiness to move up global value chains and showcase its competitiveness in a green and digital economy.
More than 1,000 executives, investors, and policymakers attended, joined by leaders including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed. Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, framed the agenda by stating: “The time has come to embrace a new narrative for Africa. We are shifting from doing business in Africa to doing business with Africa.”
Several major announcements emerged from the forum. Strive Masiyiwa, founder of Econet Global and Cassava Technologies, unveiled plans to establish Africa’s first network of AI factories, powered by NVIDIA GPUs, which will be operational by late 2026 (PR Newswire). The Africa Finance Corporation, in collaboration with African pension and social security institutions, launched the Africa Savings for Growth initiative to mobilize over US$1.17 trillion in institutional assets into long-term investments. New GABI Action Pathways were also announced, targeting digital inclusion, AI regulatory frameworks, healthcare supply chains, and workforce development.
Trade and industrialisation remained at the core of conversations. Leaders stressed the urgency of building infrastructure such as the Lobito Corridor, harmonising regulations under the AfCFTA, and investing in Africa’s critical minerals economy—including cobalt, lithium, and rare earths that are essential for global energy transitions (UN Global Compact).
The forum’s impact extends beyond announcements. It reinforced Africa’s narrative as a market shaper, not just a resource supplier. Commitments to digital transformation, energy access, and sustainable value chains highlighted Africa’s potential to lead in industries of the future. The event also amplified the role of the private sector as a partner in achieving continental growth, aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Unstoppable Africa 2025 demonstrated that Africa’s trajectory is being defined by collaboration, innovation, and investment. While challenges remain such as infrastructure gaps, policy alignment, and unlocking private capital the momentum of this forum showed that Africa is increasingly viewed as central to global prosperity.
Sources & Accreditation
- Global Africa Business Initiative – Unstoppable Africa 2025
- UN Global Compact News – GABI’s Unstoppable Africa 2025 Puts Africa at the Center of Global Growth
- PR Newswire – Africa’s AI Ambitions and Digital Future Go Global
- Africa Renewal – Showcasing Africa as a Driver of Global Trade
- United Nations – Secretary-General’s Remarks at GABI Unstoppable Africa 2025
