The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) has officially opened nominations for its #UnstoppableAfricans campaign, a continent-wide initiative designed to recognize entrepreneurs, business leaders, innovators, and changemakers whose leadership and ideas are driving Africa’s economic transformation.
The campaign serves as the lead-up to Unstoppable Africa 2026, GABI’s flagship event scheduled to take place in New York on September 20–21, 2026. The event is co-convened by the United Nations and the African Union and organized by the UN Global Compact, bringing together global business leaders, policymakers, investors, and development partners to discuss Africa’s growing role in the global economy.
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Building on the success of the previous four editions of Unstoppable Africa, the new campaign seeks to shine a spotlight on individuals whose vision, innovation, resilience, and leadership are transforming industries, creating opportunities, and shaping Africa’s future. According to GABI, an “Unstoppable African” is someone whose actions are redefining what is possible within their community, industry, country, or across the continent.
The initiative will recognize outstanding changemakers across five key sectors: Energy, Digital Transformation, Trade, Creative Industries, and Sports.
The Energy category celebrates leaders advancing sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy solutions across Africa. Digital Transformation recognizes innovators driving technological advancement, digital infrastructure, and the continent’s expanding digital economy. The Trade category honors individuals strengthening regional commerce, creating business opportunities, and supporting African enterprises.
Meanwhile, the Creative Industries category highlights entrepreneurs building sustainable businesses in film, music, fashion, art, and design while contributing to Africa’s rapidly growing creative economy. The Sports category recognizes athletes, investors, sports administrators, and innovators using sport as a platform for job creation, economic growth, and industry development.
Through the #UnstoppableAfricans campaign, GABI aims to create a global platform that amplifies the stories of African leaders whose contributions are helping shape the continent’s future but often receive limited international recognition.
Speaking about the initiative, Sanda Ojiambo, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, emphasized Africa’s growing economic significance.
She noted that 12 of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies are in Africa, underscoring the continent’s increasing contribution to global business, investment, and trade. She said African entrepreneurs and innovators continue to transform industries and strengthen economies every day, adding that the campaign seeks to celebrate these achievements while providing a global platform to share their stories.
Nominations are open from July 15 until September 9, 2026, and anyone may nominate themselves or another individual whose work is creating meaningful business, investment, innovation, or economic opportunities in one or more of the campaign’s five focus areas.
Following the nomination period, GABI will select five outstanding changemakers, one representing each category, to feature in the #UnstoppableAfricans storytelling series ahead of Unstoppable Africa 2026. Their stories will be shared with an international audience of business executives, investors, policymakers, and development partners.
Held under the theme “Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future,” Unstoppable Africa 2026 aims to strengthen partnerships, promote investment, and showcase Africa’s innovation, entrepreneurship, and business leadership on the global stage.
