A Global Dialogue with Local Impact
Advancing New Partnerships | Delivering Progress in the Global Space
This initiative brings together the best of Africa's minds to envison ways of collaborating to advance Africa's progress. As we convene Africa and world leading policymakers, actors, we offer an avenue to advance innovative ideas, explore bold new solutions with the radical potential to transform Africa's security challenges, deliver economic prosperity for all and bring new era of development through transformational leadership.
We bring Africans and friends of Africa together to have honest conversations that transforms the continent in new ways through partnerships and collaborations that impact at scale.
Holding alongside the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the initiative presents a rare opportunity to engage global leaders for local impact. With a focus on global mobilization on strategic local initiatives that empower and engage local policymakers on Africa's transformation, it leverages on the strategic positioning of the UNGA to galvanize international support and spotlight ideas that will bring Africa's transformation in the security, economic and investment ecosystems.
In the city of New York
High Level Forum at the Yale Business Club
Africa Forward - The Future of Security, Economy and Investment in Africa. Featuring panel discussions, keynote and Fireside chat and (THE SPACE) Marketplace
#InvestInAfrica Business Expo
Bringing together leading investors and businesses from Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States of America, to explore mutual business interests.
#investInAfrica Expo - Evening Session
An evening session of conversations, gala and awards featuring the AEMA BLACK PRIZE.
CONFIRMED 2025
Speakers & Awardees
His Excellency
Bassirou Diomaye Faye
President of Senegal
Her Excellency
Samia Suluhu Hassan
President of Tanzania.
His Excellency
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President of Nigeria
His Excellency
Muhammad Yunus
Chief Economic Adviser of Bangladesh
His Excellency
Godswill Akpabio
Senate President of Nigeria
Her Excellency
Dr. Amina J. Mohammed
Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
Her Excellency
Sara Beysolow Nyanti
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Liberia
Senator
Tonya P. Anderson
Georgia Atlanta
His Excellency
Mishaal Malek Alsabah
Her Excellency
Rachel Chebet Ruto
First Lady of Kenya
His Excellency
Donald Duke
Former Governor of Cross River, Nigeria.
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
Minister of trade and investment
Her Excellency
Dr. Fatima Maada Bio
First Lady of Republic of Sierra Leone
Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd) CFR
The 21st Indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff Nigeria
His Excellency
Caleb Mutfwang
Governor of Plateau State
His Excellency
Teodoro Nguema Mangue
Vice President of Equatorial Guinea
Mo Farah
Athletics
Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella
Chairman Energy Governance coordination Group Sierra Leone
Mr. Ahmed Shide
Minister of Finance of Ethiopia
Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed CON
Executive Director, The World Bank Group
Strive Masiyiwa
CEO Econet Global
Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq
Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy of Nigeria
Nduka Udeh
Chairman, African Import Export Solutions
Rolanda “RO” Breaux, CPC.
XNOR Oil Group, Inc.
Joseph Wehbe
Chief AI Ecosystem Builder - DAIMLAS Corp
Ashish J. Thakkar
Founder, Mara Group, and Mara Foundation
Hon Maipelo Mophuting
Botwana Minister
Joe Lopez
CEO Anchora Advisory
Honorable
Taiwo Olukemi Oluga
Federal Commissioner National assembly service commission Nigeria.
His Excellency
Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR
Under - Secretary - General and Special Adviser on Africa United Nations Secretariat, New York, United States
Dr. Anino Emuwa
Managing Director of Avandis Consulting, France
Tera Carissa Hodges
Founder LR Global Media Group Institute for Economics and Peace Ambassador
Mariam Lesian
President Pan Africa Tourism Board | Chairperson BRICS Women Tanzania
Honorable
Ayodele Olawande
Hon. Minister of Youth Development
Hamzat B. Lawal
Activist
Juliet Ibrahim
Actor & President Wift Ghana
Ron D'Vari, PhD, CFA,
Executive Chairman of NewOak Capital LLC
Honorabel
Alhaji Mohammed Idris
Honourable Minister of Information
Arc Funmi Omotehinwa-Gbemudu (Mrs.)
Founder and Principal Partner at Rehob Consult Limited
Rui DAI
President, International Artificial Intelligence Association
A Global Dialogue with Local Impact
Promoting Investment Advancing Sustainable Peace | Expanding Economic Opportunities | Accelerating Progress
The forum brings together the best of Africa's minds to envision a new way of collaborating to advance Africa's progress. As we convene Africa's leading policymakers, business leaders, political leaders, academics, civil society leaders, and citizen actors, we offer a platform to advance innovative ideas, explore bold, new solutions with the radical potential to transform Africa's security challenges, deliver economic prosperity for all and bring a new era of development through transformational leadership. We bring Africans and friends of Africa together to have honest conversations that transform the continent in new ways through partnerships and collaborations that impact at scale.
Holding alongside the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the forum presents a rare opportunity to engage global leaders for local impact. With a focus on global mobilisation on strategic local initiatives that empower and engage local policymakers on Africa's transformation. it leverages the strategic positioning of the UNGA to galvanize international support and spotlight ideas that will bring Africa's transformation in the security, econmic and investment ecosystems.
Peace and Security in Africa
Expanding new frontiers for inclusive peace, addressing root causes of conflict and promoting innovative strategies to fighting insurgency in the Sahara.
Economic Prosperity for all Africans
Bold New Ideas for Investment in Africa. Exploring new alternatives through green and impact investing. Advancing innovative opportunities in the digital economy, infrastructure and industrial development and non-oil opportunities.
Inclusive Development for all Africans
Deepening democracy, promoting transformative leadership, closing the inequality gap through innovative development initiatives powered by SDG actions. Advocating for citizen focused development agenda.
Past Speakers
Awardees
His Excellency
Carlos Dila Nova
President, São Tomé and Príncipe
His Royal Majesty
King Bungane III.
Embo Kingdom of Africa (South Africa)
Dr. Hoda Gala Yassag
President of the Arab Women Investors Union, Egypt
Vice Admiral Anuwal Zubairu Gambo (GCFR)
Fmr. Chief Naval Staff, Nigeria
H.E. Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu
Executive Governor, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria
Dr. Mariya Mahmoud
Minister of State, FCT
H.E. Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo
Governor, Kogi State, Nigeria
Senator Shehu Buba
Chair, Senate Committee on Security and Intelligence, Nigerian Senate
Dr. Zuhal Karakoc
Grand National Assembly, Turkiye
Dr. Omer Caglar Yilma
Ankara Chamber of Commerce, Turkey
Isa Mohammed Gerawa
Founder/CEO, Gerawa Group of Companies
Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari
Fmr. Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria
Abdoulaye Selifon
UNESCO
Ron D'Vari
Executive Chairman, Chief Investment Officer and Co-Founder of NewOak
Japhet Omojuwa
Writer, Political Commentator and Social Media Expert
Adebola WIlliams
Nigerian Media Entrepreneur, Journalist, Political Consultant and Motivational Speaker
Mallence Bart-Williams
Activist, Philanthropist and Multifaceted Social Entrepreneur
Hamzat Lawal
CEO, Connected Development
Amb. Kabiru Bala
Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Williams Shongwe
South African Football Legend
International Forum on security, Economy, and Investment in Africa Brochure
Download the brochure detailing the event activities, expo, and transformative information.
Program Outline
Facilitating Economic Transformation of Africa Through Investment
We present a series of events showcasing the different industries in Africa, with the goal of facilitating economic transformation in the region.
International
Organizing Committee
Dr. Nurudeen Muhammad
Vice-Chairman (IOC)
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (rtd) GCFR
Chairman (IOC)
The 21st Indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff, Nigeria
McEva Temofe
Founder/Convener (IOC)
Group MD, Purple Hundred Company
Dr. Olukayode Fasominu
Head, Global Health Partners (IOC)
Managing Partner - Volte Health Systems
Thelma George
Head, African Region (IOC)
Gbemileke Oscar Oyinsan
Head, Creative Industry (IOC)
MD/CEO Rapid Broadcasting Network
Guerlaine Guerrier
Head, International Education Partners (IOC)
Director and Co-Founder of LaSale Des Petits Daycare - Lasalle College
Robert Wheeler
Head, Real Estate Development (IOC)
Lyzianah Emakoua
Head, Development Partners (IOC)
CEO - Centre for Community Impact and Sustainability
His Excellency
Nakiim Bey
Nardos Nadia Amde
Head, Global Partners & Business (IOC)
Titiana Aviation, Executive Director | Business Development
Giulian Alarcon
Head, European Business / Strategist (IOC)
Hon. Ralph Osueke
Head, Government Business & Corporations (IOC)
Group CEO - Mai Dawa Holding