By More than 2,000 African and global business leaders and heads of state are expected in New York on Sept. 20-21 for Unstoppable Africa 2026, the flagship event of the Global Africa Business Initiative.
The fifth edition of the forum will bring together government officials, investors, executives, entrepreneurs, policymakers and representatives from the creative and sports industries as Africa seeks greater investment, industrial development and cross-border business opportunities.
The event, held at the New York Marriott Marquis during the high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, is being convened by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union Commission.
It is organized and coordinated by the United Nations Global Compact.
The theme of Unstoppable Africa 2026 is “Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future”, with discussions focused on how African economies can attract investment, develop businesses and retain more value from their resources and markets.
Among the speakers listed by the Global Africa Business Initiative, or GABI, are Guterres, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko and Youssouf.
Business leaders expected to participate include Aliko Dangote, president and chief executive of Dangote Group; Samaila Zubairu, president and CEO of African Finance Corporation; Tidjane Thiam, general partner of Allied Critical Minerals Fund; and Mandy DeFilippo, CEO for the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Standard Chartered.
Other participants include Nonkululeko Nyembezi, chairperson of Standard Bank Group; Nolitha Fakude, chairperson of Anglo American South Africa; Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO of Naspers and group executive director of Prosus; and Olugbenga Agboola, CEO of Flutterwave.
The agenda covers five broad areas: trade, energy, digital transformation, creative industries and sport. Organizers say the discussions are intended to connect African companies and governments with investors and international partners.
Critical minerals are expected to feature prominently as countries and companies seek supplies of materials needed for energy and technology industries.
The official programme includes a session examining infrastructure, mineral processing and how African economies can capture more value from their natural resources.
Digital transformation will also be a major theme, with discussions involving technology companies, policymakers and investors.
Speakers include David Moinina Sengeh, Sierra Leone’s chief minister and chief innovation officer, and Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and special representative of the U.N. secretary-general for Sustainable Energy for All.
The event will also highlight Africa’s creative economy and sports industries. Participants listed by GABI include filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu, Cameron Bailey, CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival, Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, and WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike.
Entrepreneurship will form another part of the programme, with African innovators including Elly Savatia, founder and CEO of Signvrse, and Norah Magero, co-founder and CEO of Drop Access Limited, among those listed to participate.
Former NBA All-Star Luol Deng, who is president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, is also scheduled to take part.
GABI said the meeting comes as global trade routes are being reshaped, competition for critical minerals increases and companies reassess sources of future growth and investment.
The initiative also points to the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area. The Global Africa Business Initiative, citing a 2024 UNCTAD report, said full implementation of the agreement could create a market worth $3.4 trillion.
The African Continental Free Trade Area is intended to increase trade among African countries by reducing barriers and creating a single continental market for goods and services.
Its implementation remains an important issue for businesses seeking to expand across fragmented national markets.
The organizers are positioning Unstoppable Africa 2026 as a platform for business and investment discussions rather than solely a policy gathering.
The official event description says the programme will include high-level plenaries, CEO and investor roundtables, ministerial dialogues, startup showcases and GABI Solutions Labs.
The event follows the 2025 edition, which GABI said attracted more than 6,000 participants, including heads of state, CEOs and development finance leaders.
The organization says the 2026 meeting will build on that platform by connecting decision-makers around investment, partnerships and African business growth.
