2023 Agenda

Future Focus: Pivotal Conversations for Impact

In this fireside chat, Caroline Wanga dives into her field that sits at the cross-section of creativity and business, and how she is shaping the narrative and relationship between Africa and the African diaspora through Essence Ventures. The conversation will navigate through her collaborations that have served as cultural and economic vehicles for the African American community, and her forward-looking vision for the creative and business ecosystems that connect Africa and its diaspora. The session is designed to offer a focused yet expansive view of Caroline's influence and future aspirations in these interconnected worlds.

This session explores the strategic roles women are playing in identifying and solving problems, providing leadership, and seizing opportunities within the African trade landscape. This main stage dialogue underscores the significance of African women and their contributions as indispensable forces in Africa's vibrant trade sphere.

Join an exhilarating sequence of talks. With a keen eye on the future, they'll explore the boundless potential of digital transformation to reshape Africa.  This is a journey into a digitally empowered Africa, a vision of the continent where prosperity and sustainability intertwine, and where technology is the catalyst for impactful change.

This panel features a group of tech visionaries and stakeholders at a roundtable discussion focusing on the groundbreaking technologies shaping the continent's future and how African tech talent is scaling innovations for global impact. 

The world is awakening to the African promise of the tremendous potential of Africa’s tech startups.  Innovative venture financing is emerging to bridge the gap to realizing the potential.  A bold and ambitious private-public sector joint initiative, timbuktoo, aims to transform Africa through a new African venture financing model that recognizes the power of investing in ecosystems.

The "Off the Court and Across Africa: The Economy of Sports" panel explores how sport boosts Africa's economic growth by creating jobs in areas like sports infrastructure, media rights, tourism, and sponsorships. The discussions focus on athletes adopting an entrepreneurial mindset and forming equity-based relationships with corporate entities, going beyond traditional endorsements. This global shift, evident in the $2.5 trillion sports and entertainment industry, opens promising opportunities for equity-driven collaborations across Africa. 

A Virtual Watch Party – an online interactive platform- will be available for attendees to log on with 2-3 athletes to watch and comment on conversations. 

How can sports play a dual role in directly and indirectly creating jobs?  What are the various business opportunities that sports can catalyze in areas such as sports infrastructure, media rights, tourism, and natural resources?

How are athletes leveraging their sports careers to go beyond traditional roles and adopting an entrepreneurial mindset to contribute to thriving economies while utilizing their platforms to positively impact the communities they come from?

Based on the work Bismack Biyombo has done to date across the Democratic Republic of Congo, this five-minute segment will be an opportunity to discover and spread ideas that spark imagination, embrace possibility and catalyze impact. Biyombo will speak to the impact of sports on his community and the economic growth that has accelerated from key local partnerships and natural resource investments.

Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Folorunsho Alakija as she navigates the complexities and triumphs of being a female leader in Africa's business landscape. She'll share her personal journey, shedding light on the unique challenges women face and offering strategies to command male-dominated spaces. Come ready to unpack the nuances of female leadership in a global context.

This session will explore the future of payments in Africa, and how instant and inclusive payment systems can help to boost economic growth and inclusion. What are the key challenges and opportunities for instant and inclusive payment systems in Africa? How can governments and businesses work together to promote the adoption of these systems? What are the potential benefits of instant and inclusive payment systems for African consumers and businesses?

Kickoff the closing part of the conference with a riveting series of incredible monologues as we explore the magnetic creativity flourishing across Africa's vibrant artistic landscape. From the pulsating rhythms of music to the compelling narratives of film, from the avant-garde trends in fashion to the emotive expressions in art, this session is an enlightening journey through the rich and diverse creative talents that are redefining Africa's cultural identity and global influence. This isn't merely a celebration of artistic excellence. It's an imperative call to action for businesses, policymakers, and communities to recognize and invest in Africa's creative industries. 

In an era where tech meets artistry, Africa's creative industries stand as pillars of progress and job creation. This debate zeroes in on how the African Continental Free Trade Area can boost this vibrant sector. Join thought leaders from art, music, fashion, and film to discuss the transformative role of creativity in shaping a resilient Africa.

Topic: Is the creative economy a real aspect of Africa’s ascension on to the global stage, or is it a figment of the creative community’s imagination?

This is a session highlighting the creative and cultural industries. This creative session is curated by Style House Files Lagos Fashion Week and showcases the intersection between Africa’s textile and apparel ecosystem, socio-economic development, and climate change. This keynote promises an insightful exploration of the intricate relationship between tradition and innovation. Through the lens of Woven Threads, the session will unravel the tales spun by skilled artisans, weaving together the rich narratives of diverse African cultures.

A conversation that explores the rich tapestry of African storytelling through an exploration of Africa Fashion, an exhibition birthed by Victoria and Albert Museum and is now live at the Brooklyn Museum. Through captivating visuals and engaging anecdotes, the session will uncover the essence of African culture, tradition, and history that has been carefully preserved through generations of storytelling.

This session delves into the multifaceted dimensions of the African fashion industry, shedding light on the intricate tapestry of cultural, economic, and social factors that often remain hidden beneath the surface. The session includes a conversation around cultural appropriation to dissect the nuances of cultural borrowing, seeking to understand how African heritage can be celebrated and shared respectfully, without erasing its origins. Unpacking the production challenges, from sourcing sustainable fabrics to addressing manufacturing limitations and skilled manpower shortages, provides a holistic view of the obstacles faced by the industry. 

In this intimate and engaging fireside chat, Senegalese global music sensation, Baaba Maal, will take the audience on a journey through the beats and melodies that define Africa's rich cultural heritage. In a conversation with Aisha Augie, Maal shares his unique insights into the creative industry, revealing the passion, artistry, and entrepreneurship that fuel his success. This conversation will delve into the intersection of music, culture, and business, highlighting how creative entrepreneurs are indeed the lifeblood of Africa's vibrant creativity. 

Unstoppable Africa: The Africa We Want

Attendees will be asked to contribute their commitments, ideas, or projects that align with the GABI themes, essentially writing the future of Africa in real-time during the conference. This collaborative document would be displayed live on a screen during the conference.

To execute, we will use conference tech that allows multiple users to contribute text in real-time. Attendees would have the option to add to the Living Manifesto throughout the conference via their mobile devices.

As the conference draws to a close, DSG Amina Mohammed, will read select commitments from the Manifesto, thereby incorporating the voices of GABI attendees into the conference.

For takeaways and keepsakes, a high-quality digital edition of the "Living Manifesto" will be made available that participants can leave with, reminding them of their commitments and the collective vision for Africa.