More than 2,000 African and global business leaders, heads of state, investors and policymakers are expected to gather in New York on September 20 and 21 for Unstoppable Africa 2026, a flagship event of the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) focused on increasing investment, ownership and economic growth across the continent.
The fifth edition of Unstoppable Africa will be held under the theme “Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future” on the sidelines of the opening of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The event is convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and organised and coordinated by the United Nations Global Compact.
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The gathering will bring together African and international CEOs, investors, policymakers, creatives, sports executives and other decision-makers to examine how Africa can strengthen its position in global markets and capture more value from its resources and growing economies.
Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact, said this year’s programme would place greater emphasis on mobilising capital, building partnerships and turning Africa’s assets and opportunities into investable and scalable outcomes.
The event comes as global supply chains undergo major changes driven by geopolitical tensions, energy security concerns and evolving trade policies. Organisers see these shifts as an opportunity for Africa to leverage its critical minerals, renewable energy potential, expanding consumer markets and young workforce to attract long-term investment.
Unstoppable Africa 2026 will examine how African countries can capture greater value from critical minerals rather than relying primarily on the export of raw materials. Discussions will also address infrastructure, trade, capital mobilisation and the development of more integrated and competitive African markets.
Energy transition will be another major area of discussion, alongside the development and ownership of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. Participants will also explore opportunities to strengthen Africa’s creative industries and expand the role of sport as an engine for investment, talent development and economic growth.
Confirmed participants include Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire, African Finance Corporation President and CEO Samaila Zubairu, Anglo American South Africa Chairperson Nolitha Fakude, Allied Critical Minerals Fund General Partner Tidjane Thiam and Naspers CEO Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa.
Other confirmed speakers include Flutterwave CEO Olugbenga Agboola, Toronto International Film Festival CEO Cameron Bailey, filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu, Next Narrative Africa Fund Founder and CEO Akunna Cook, former NBA All-Star and South Sudan Basketball Federation President Luol Deng, NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi and United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.
The programme will also feature Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States on Arab and African Affairs, and Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All.
The five core themes of GABI and Unstoppable Africa are Energy, Digital Transformation, Trade, Creative Industries and Sport. These themes will be explored through high-level plenaries, CEO and investor roundtables, ministerial dialogues, startup showcases and GABI Solutions Labs.
Organisers expect the 2026 edition to create opportunities for business transactions, new investment vehicles and cross-border partnerships. The discussions will take place against the backdrop of Africa’s efforts to deepen regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area, which could create a market worth approximately $3.4 trillion, according to UNCTAD’s 2024 Economic Development in Africa Report.
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 participating in the Unstoppable Africans campaign.
Unstoppable Africa 2026 will take place at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square. The gathering is expected to provide a major platform for African governments and businesses to engage international investors and partners while promoting the continent’s growing role in global trade, technology, energy and investment.
For Africa, the central challenge will be turning its considerable resources, markets and human capital into greater ownership, value creation and sustainable economic growth. The New York gathering will seek to connect those opportunities with the capital, partnerships and business decisions needed to accelerate that transformation.
