The Global Africa Business Initiative's Unstoppable Africa 2026 gathering in New York has brought to the forefront the critical question of African ownership in the continent's growth and development. As global demand for Africa's minerals, markets, energy, and talent continues to rise, the issue of who controls the technologies, industries, businesses, and human capital driving this growth has become increasingly important.
Representing President Paul Kagame in New York, Rwanda's Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva emphasized the need for Africa to build its own digital economy. He argued that the continent cannot afford to be a passive consumer of technology developed elsewhere, trained on African data, and then sold back to African consumers. Nsengiyumva highlighted Rwanda's progress in developing its digital infrastructure, including a fibre-optic backbone, near-universal 4G coverage, 5G pilots, and over 250 digitized government services.
Nsengiyumva's call for African ownership was echoed by other prominent business leaders, including Nigerian industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Dangote emphasized the importance of Africa industrializing and adding value to its raw materials, rather than simply exporting them. He pointed to his own experience building a 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Nigeria, which has helped to drive industrialization and economic growth in the country.
Kenyan entrepreneur Wawira Njiru also spoke at the Unstoppable Africa 2026 gathering, highlighting the need to turn Africa's demographic dividend into productive power. She argued that school feeding programs, for example, should not be treated simply as welfare spending, but rather as an opportunity to create markets for farmers, jobs for parents, and a large procurement network.
The discussions at Unstoppable Africa 2026 emphasized the need for Africa to take control of its own growth and development. As Nsengiyumva put it, "We are not asking to be included in someone else's AI economy. We are building our own, safely, equitably, and responsive to our own needs and opportunities." This sentiment was echoed by Dangote and Njiru, who emphasized the importance of African ownership and control in driving the continent's growth and development.
The Unstoppable Africa 2026 gathering has highlighted the need for a new approach to African development, one that prioritizes African ownership and control. This approach recognizes that Africa's growth and development must be driven by Africans themselves, rather than by external actors. By taking control of its own growth and development, Africa can ensure that its resources are used to benefit its own people, rather than simply enriching external actors.
The conversations at Unstoppable Africa 2026 will continue to shape the narrative around African development, with a focus on African ownership and control. As the continent continues to grow and develop, the question of who controls its growth and development will remain a critical one.
Key points
- African leaders emphasize the need for the continent to build its own digital economy and take control of its growth and development.
- Rwanda's Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva highlights the country's progress in developing its digital infrastructure.
- African ownership and control are critical to driving the continent's growth and development.
