By Claudine Moore
In September, Black House Media joined Allison Worldwide as we hosted the Africa Breakfast Convos during UNGA 79 at our World Trade Center HQ, bringing together some of Africa’s most influential business leaders and innovators on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly.
Building on the success of our inaugural Africa-focused UNGA event in 2023, I hosted our second UNGA event with BlackHM Founder and CEO Ayeni Adekunle Founder to showcase Africa’s economic potential and drive discussions on sustainable development. Our event focused on catalyzing sustainable growth and social impact for Africa, aligning with the overall UNGA 79 theme and promoting Africa’s potential as a driver of global progress.
We were delighted to have a packed house with panelists Tobe Okigbo, chief corporation services officer of MTN Nigeria; Nigerian tech entrepreneur Iyinoluwa Aboyyeji, co-founder of Andela, Future Africa and former Flutterwave MD; Anie Akpe, founder of African Women In Tech (AWIT); Sam Onyemelukwe, senior vice president of Global Business Development at TRACE; and Ayo Animashaun, founder and CEO at Smooth Promotions, Hip TV and The Headies.
We discussed a wide range of topics with our panelists and guests, including the advances in tech across the continent that highlight business growth drivers, the importance of African female entrepreneurship and the role creative industries play in the continent’s economic advancement.
Key takeaways from the conversations:
- Africa’s large youth population continues to represent a major economic opportunity across the continent.
- The African diaspora market is underserved by major media/entertainment companies and remains a fragmented market, which presents a huge opportunity for organizations and initiatives directed at this group.
- Digital platforms are disrupting traditional music industry models for African artists.
- There remains a critical need to change negative perceptions about Africa, which will inevitably lead to increased investment. PR and communications can play a huge role here in shaping narratives and advancing positive stories about Africa’s cultures, entrepreneurs and economic potential.
- Digital platforms and streaming technologies are disrupting traditional business models, particularly in the entertainment and media sectors. This shift has opened new and previously unavailable revenue streams for creators.
- Technological advancements like Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet initiative are potential catalysts to reduce the connectivity barriers across Africa that continue to hinder development.
- Overcoming infrastructural gaps will help businesses achieve scale across African markets and overcome challenges like high data costs, complex distribution channels, fragmented markets and infrastructural deficits is critical for businesses to achieve scale and transcend borders across the continent.
The Africa Breakfast Convos shed light on the immense opportunities across African markets – from untapped creative talent to the economic clout of the diaspora. There are clearly unique challenges and paradigm shifts required for businesses to truly capitalize on the continent’s potential, but as technological and infrastructural barriers fall and innovative solutions, increased investment and the reframing narratives about unlocking Africa’s immense opportunities will continue to unfold.
Online coverage links:
- Bella Naija: Africa’s Top Innovators and Leaders Gather at “Africa Breakfast Convos” on the sidelines of UNGA
- The Guardian Nigeria: Business leaders discuss Africa’s sustainable future amid UNGA79 — Business —
- Econium: At Africa Breakfast Convos, Business Leaders Discuss Africa’s Sustainable Future Amid UNGA79 – Encomium
- The Cable: UNGA79: BHM, business leaders hold dialogue on driving economic growth in Africa
- Independent: African Business Leaders Champion Sustainable Development Opportunities At UNGA79
If you would like to learn more about the opportunities across key African markets, you can download our inaugural Africa Business Cultural Intelligence Report here. The report focuses on the African diaspora in addition to business growth drivers and female entrepreneurship alongside the tech and media landscape in Kenya, Nigeria, Morocco, DRC, and South Africa.
Claudine Moore, managing director, Africa leads Allison expansion into Africa markets and supports clients across the Continent focusing on tech, corporate, health, development and infrastructure. She also founded The Future is Female Mentorship Program dedicated to African women in tech and authored the agency’s inaugural Africa report which you can download here.
