Africa¡¯s growing role in global innovation took centre stage in New York last week as business leaders, policymakers, and investors announced major partnerships and commitments at GABI 2025: Unstoppable Africa, the flagship forum of the UN Global Compact in collaboration with the African Union.
From state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) facilities to sports and creative industry partnerships, the two-day gathering showcased Africa¡¯s potential and its readiness to shape global markets.
Hosted by UN Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres and African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on the margins of the UN General Assembly, the forum brought together heads of state, CEOs, investors, and cultural icons in one of the most significant African business gatherings outside the continent.
¡°Africa is home to the world¡¯s youngest population, has vast energy resources, and extraordinary creativity across sectors ¡ª from fintech and agribusiness to fashion and artificial intelligence, said the UN Secretary-General. ¡°Our challenge and responsibility is to turn these extraordinary possibilities into sustainable prosperity, in line with the SDGs, Agenda 2063, and the Pact for the Future.¡±
According to Ms. Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of UN Global Compact, the organisers of the event, GABI should be the place where commitments and deals are made, tracked, and translated into action.
¡°GABI should be the platform where Africa¡¯s investability and bankability are consistently demonstrated,¡± said Ms. Ojiambo.
AI deals signed
One of the most notable announcements made at GABI 2025 aims to transform Africa into a hub for artificial intelligence.
Zimbabwean entrepreneur and Founder of Econet Global and Cassava Technologies, Mr. Strive Masiyiwa, announced plans to roll out Africa¡¯s first network of AI factories.
The facilities, powered by NVIDIA¡¯s advanced graphics processing units (GPUs), are expected to be operational by the end of 2026.
¡°This will allow Africa to design its own AI solutions, tailored to its realities,¡± Mr. Masiyiwa told the gathering. ¡°We can address our most pressing challenges¡ªfrom agriculture and health to education and climate¡ªon our own terms.¡±
The initiative, dubbed StriveAI, signals a decisive shift from Africa being a passive consumer of technology to becoming an active innovator in the global AI economy.
Another announcement was by Meta¡¯s Vice-President for Africa, the Middle East, and T¨¹rkiye, Mr. Kojo Boakye, about a forthcoming investment in Africa¡¯s digital ecosystem.
The company highlighted opportunities to support connectivity, digital skills, and AI applications, reinforcing its confidence in Africa¡¯s capacity to become a leader in the tech revolution.
Finance partnerships
On finance, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), in partnership with African pension and social security institutions, launched theAfrica Savings for Growth initiative.
The programme seeks to channel part of the continent¡¯s $1.17 trillion in institutional savings¡ªcurrently tied up in short-term, low-yield assets¡ªinto long-term development projects.
¡°Africa¡¯s savings should work for Africa,¡± said Samaila Zubairu, AFC¡¯s President and CEO. ¡°By mobilizing local capital, we can drive growth without overreliance on external financing.¡±
Healthcare
GABI announced two new ¡°action pathways¡± aimed at accelerating Africa¡¯s economic resilience. The Healthcare Action Pathway will leverage digital tools to expand access to medical services, strengthen regional supply chains, and attract new investment i n health systems and workforce training.
The Digital Transformation Action Pathway is designed to scale up internet access, modernise government services, support small businesses with technology and finance, and encourage the responsible use of AI and data.
Unstoppable Africa 2025 also gave prominence to Africa¡¯s vibrant sports and creative sectors and explored the potential of football, athletics, and e-sports to create jobs and drive new investment streams, while fashion and music icons highlighted Africa¡¯s influence on global culture.
In her closing remarks, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed reflected on the meaning of resilience in the African context, saying: ¡°Unstoppable Africa is a space to remind ourselves that this is our narrative, on our terms, as we go forth¡±
With multi-billion-dollar initiatives unveiled in AI, finance, healthcare, and the creative industries, Unstoppable Africa 2025 delivered more than speeches¡ªit delivered commitments.
The clear message to the world was that Africa is no longer on the margins of global markets. It is investing in itself, shaping its future, and setting the pace for the economies of tomorrow.