More than 2,000 African and global business leaders, alongside heads of state and other decision-makers, are expected in New York on September 20–21 for Unstoppable Africa 2026, the flagship event 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 organised and coordinated by the UN Global Compact, the fifth edition of Unstoppable Africa will be held under the theme, “Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future”.
Taking place on the sidelines of the opening of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, the event will bring together investors, policymakers, creatives, sports executives and business leaders to accelerate Africa’s trade, investment and economic development while strengthening the continent’s role in shaping global markets.
Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact, said: “This year, we are sharpening the focus on mobilising capital, forging partnerships, building businesses and turning Africa’s assets and opportunities into investable, scalable outcomes. The ambition is not simply to shape how the world sees Africa, but to shape where global capital flows, where value is created and how Africa can capture it.”
The high-level gathering comes as global supply chains are being reshaped by geopolitical tensions, energy insecurity and changing trade rules. For Africa, these shifts present an opportunity to leverage its critical minerals, renewable energy potential, growing consumer markets and young workforce to attract long-term investment and capture greater value from changes in the global economy.
Unstoppable Africa 2026 will examine how the continent can convert these global shifts into sustainable economic opportunities. The programme will focus on strategies for Africa to capture more value from its critical minerals, strengthen infrastructure and trade, mobilise capital at scale, and develop more integrated and competitive markets.
Discussions will also examine Africa’s energy transition, the development and ownership of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, the financing and global distribution of African creative industries, and the potential of sport to become a stronger driver of investment, talent development and economic growth.
Confirmed speakers include:
- 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 themes of GABI and Unstoppable Africa – Energy, Digital Transformation, Trade, Creative Industries and Sport – will be explored through high-level plenaries, CEO and investor roundtables, ministerial dialogues, startup showcases and GABI Solutions Labs.
The 2026 edition is expected to provide a platform for participants to initiate transactions, develop investment vehicles and establish cross-border alliances and partnerships.
The scale of the opportunity is underscored by the African Continental Free Trade Area, whose full implementation could create a $3.4 trillion market, according to UNCTAD’s 2024 Economic Development in Africa Report, highlighting the potential for deeper regional integration to expand trade and investment across the continent.
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.
It will also spotlight more than 500 nominees featured in the Unstoppable Africans campaign, further showcasing the individuals driving Africa’s economic, creative, sporting and business transformation.
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