More than 2,000 global and African business leaders, accompanied by heads of state, will gather in New York on September 20–21 for Unstoppable Africa, the flagship initiative of the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI).
Convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and orchestrated by the UN Global Compact, the fifth edition of Unstoppable Africa will unite under the theme “Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future”.
Taking place on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, the event will bring together leading investors, policymakers, creative professionals, sports executives, and key decision-makers dedicated to accelerating Africa’s business, trade, and investment landscape while amplifying its influence on global markets.
Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact, stated: “This year, we are intensifying our focus on mobilizing capital, forging strategic partnerships, and building enterprises to transform Africa’s assets and opportunities into investable, scalable outcomes. Our ambition extends beyond reshaping the global perception of Africa; we aim to dictate where global capital flows, where value is generated, and how the continent can capitalize on these opportunities.”
This high-level convening occurs at a pivotal moment as global supply chains are being reshaped by geopolitical tensions, energy insecurity, and evolving trade regulations. For the African continent, these shifts present a strategic opportunity to leverage its critical minerals, renewable energy potential, expanding consumer markets, and youthful workforce to attract sustained capital and capture greater value from global economic transformations.
Unstoppable Africa 2026 will examine how the continent can transform these shifts into enduring economic opportunities. The agenda will prioritize how Africa can maximize value from its critical mineral reserves, bolster infrastructure and trade, mobilize capital at scale, and cultivate more integrated, competitive markets. Key discussions will also address Africa’s energy transition, the development and ownership of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, the financing and global distribution of creative industries, and the potential of sports to serve as a more potent catalyst for investment, talent development, and economic growth.
The event will also feature the following confirmed speakers:
- H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President, Republic of Sierra Leone
- H.E. Duma Gideon Boko, President, Republic of Botswana
- H.E. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda
- Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO, African Finance Corporation
- Nolitha Fakude, Chairperson, Anglo American South Africa
- Tidjane Thiam, General Partner, Allied Critical Minerals Fund
- Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO and Executive Director, Naspers
- Olugbenga Agboola, CEO, Flutterwave
- Cameron Bailey, CEO, Toronto International Film Festival
- Wanuri Kahiu, filmmaker
- Akunna Cook, Founder and CEO, Next Narrative Africa Fund
- Luol Deng, former NBA All-Star and President, South Sudan Basketball Federation
- Clare Akamanzi, CEO, NBA Africa
- Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
- Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States on Arab and African Affairs
- Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All
The five pillars of GABI and Unstoppable Africa—Energy, Digital Transformation, Trade, Creative Industries, and Sport—will be underpinned by high-level plenaries, CEO and investor roundtables, ministerial dialogues, startup showcases, and GABI Solutions Labs. The 2026 edition is designed to spark transactions, develop investment vehicles, and forge cross-border alliances and partnerships. According to UNCTAD’s 2024 Economic Development in Africa Report, the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area could establish a $3.4 trillion market, underscoring the immense opportunity as regional integration deepens.
The event will once again be hosted by Folly Bah Thibault, Senior News Anchor at Al Jazeera Media Network, and Larry Madowo, International Correspondent at CNN, spotlighting over 500 nominees in the Unstoppable Africans campaign.
Unstoppable Africa 2026 will take place at the New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, Times Square, New York City. Accredited media and eligible communication professionals are invited to register for the event.