Africa: Unstoppable Africa 2026 to Bring African and Global CEOs and Leaders to Drive Investment and Growth Across The Continent

What the report says

AllAfrica, citing a UN Global Compact announcement, reports that more than 2,000 African and global business leaders, along with heads of state, are set to meet in New York on September 20-21 for Unstoppable Africa 2026. The event is the fifth edition of the Global Africa Business Initiative’s flagship gathering and will take place alongside the opening of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. It is being convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and organized by the UN Global Compact.

The conference theme is “Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future.” According to the announcement, the agenda will center on attracting investment and helping African economies capture more value from trade, minerals, infrastructure, digital development, creative industries and sport. The organizers say the meeting is meant to support transactions, new investment vehicles and cross-border partnerships.

The report says discussions will also address broader shifts affecting global supply chains, including geopolitical tensions, energy insecurity and changing trade rules. In that context, the event aims to highlight Africa’s potential in critical minerals, renewable energy, consumer markets and a young workforce. The UN Global Compact says the gathering is intended not only to change how Africa is viewed, but also to influence where global capital flows.

Among the listed speakers are leaders from government, finance, technology, sport and the creative sector, including officials from Sierra Leone, Botswana and Rwanda, as well as executives from African Finance Corporation, Naspers, Flutterwave and NBA Africa. The report also notes that the New York event will be hosted at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.