Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Group, called for increased intra-African investment at the Unstoppable Africa 2026 forum in New York. He emphasized that Africa's industrial strength is hindered by capital flowing into foreign banks and markets. Dangote stated, "We must believe in our continent." He urged African leaders and investors to initiate local investments, remarking, "Once you start, it gets easier. But the more you don’t do anything, it becomes difficult." This critical message showed the central theme of the forum, which convened to discuss the continent's economic future.
Africa's Investment Imperative
Africa must cease exporting its capital and instead prioritize investment in its own industrial development, according to Dangote. This shift is key for fostering sustainable economic growth across the continent. Dangote emphasized that the continent's industrial future depends on redirecting financial resources internally rather than allowing them to flow into foreign banks and markets. He asserted that Africa cannot build comparable industrial strength while its own money continues to flow into foreign banks and markets. This sentiment was a recurring point in his address, noting the urgent need for a paradigm shift in investment strategy.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a vital mechanism for achieving this internal investment goal. The AfCFTA is essential for establishing the necessary scale to support significant industrial projects across Africa. It aims to create a unified market, which in turn facilitates larger-scale manufacturing and infrastructure initiatives that might otherwise be unfeasible for individual nations. The successful implementation and leveraging of the AfCFTA are seen as key for unlocking Africa's full economic potential and attracting both domestic and international capital.
Technological Leapfrogging Potential
More than 3,000 African and global business leaders and heads of state convened in New York for the two-day forum. Discussions at the event noted Africa's significant potential in the rapidly evolving technological landscape. The continent has a tremendous opportunity to leapfrog in the new age of technology and artificial intelligence, according to participants. AI, in particular, can open new pathways for growth, innovation, and opportunity for Africa. This technological advancement is seen as a key component for driving economic development and establishing Africa's position in the global digital economy. The large gathering showed the international interest in Africa's economic prospects and its capacity to embrace emerging technologies for accelerated progress. The forum explored how digital transformation can be harnessed to create jobs, improve public services, and boost productivity across various sectors.
Forum Notes and Initiatives
The South African Business Initiative for Impact (SABII) emerged as a notable highlight at the forum, showcasing innovative approaches to social and economic development. Signverse, an initiative focused on sign language, has developed the largest publicly documented dataset for an African sign language, supported by U$2 million in Google funding. This achievement represents a significant step forward in digital inclusion and accessibility for the hearing-impaired community on the continent. A significant partnership agreement was formalized between the Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Foundation (NNN Foundation) and the Queens of the Continent Foundation (QoTC), signed by H.E. Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of Namibia. This collaboration aims to foster empowerment and development across various communities.
The Afreximbank CANEX program also featured prominently, connecting African fashion brands with international buyers. This program facilitates access to markets through platforms like Tranoï in Paris and Japan, as well as Coterie in New York. Since 2022, the Afreximbank CANEX initiative has successfully secured more than 120 offtake agreements for African designers, demonstrating its tangible impact on the creative industries. As an example of its impact, the Zimbabwean brand Vanu Vanwerk is now selling its products in more than 50 stores globally, showcasing the success of African brands on the international stage.
Call to Action and Belief
The Unstoppable Africa 2026 forum concluded yesterday, September 22, 2026. During the event, discussions noted the importance of structural reforms, stronger domestic financial markets, and wider African markets through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as key elements for attracting private investment. These measures are seen as essential to create an environment conducive to significant capital inflows and sustained economic development across the continent. The overarching message from speakers and participants alike was a call for greater self-reliance and a collective belief in Africa's potential to drive its own economic destiny.