Encomium
Senior business leaders, investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs and thought leaders from Africa, the United States and global markets gathered in New York for the fourth edition of the Africa Breakfast Conversations. Discussions around trade, investment and Africa’s growing role in the global economy featured prominently during the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The event was convened by global integrated marketing and communications agency Allison Worldwide and African media and communications company BHM under the theme, “Africa’s Next Chapter: Trade, Partnership, Investment & Global Influence.”
The event came at a significant point in the U.S.–Africa commercial relationship, with renewed attention on trade, investment and the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Total U.S. trade in goods and services with Sub-Saharan Africa currently stands at over $79 billion, yet African exports represent less than 1% of total U.S. imports. Participants also examined the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which connects over 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, particularly its potential to support greater intra-African commerce and strengthen Africa’s position as an increasingly integrated market. In addition, recent data highlights a strong momentum in innovation, with African startup tech funding rebounding to $4.1 billion—up 25% year-on-year. The conversations highlighted the importance of creating stronger commercial links between African and U.S. businesses as well as global markets while addressing the capital, infrastructure and policy requirements –
including bridging the continent’s estimated $100 billion annual trade finance gap – needed to support sustainable growth.
Speaking at the gathering, Claudine Moore, Managing Director, Africa at Allison, said the conversations reflected the importance of bringing U.S., African and global leaders into the same room to examine strategic opportunities for collaboration. “As the U.S,’s economic relationship with Africa and global markets evolves and momentum grows, there is a real opportunity to support organizations as they grow stronger commercial partnerships that create tangible value for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.” She added that the Africa Breakfast Conversations continues to provide a platform for leaders to connect around the issues and opportunities that create opportunities for all.
“What makes this conversation important is the opportunity to bring the right decision-makers together, from business leaders, policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs from multiple regions and sectors to have conversations about where the opportunities for collaboration exist and what it will take to unlock them.” Moore said.
“I like to look into the future and imagine what is possible if we build 10 or 20 global companies out of Nigeria,” Ayeni Adekunle, CEO of BHM Holdings, said. “Despite the challenges in Nigeria, South Africa, and across the continent, I choose to focus on the power of possibility. If we keep building and investing for the next 5, 10, or 20 years, the global landscape will look completely different.”
He said the continent already has entrepreneurs building businesses across borders, investors deploying capital and policymakers working to create environments that can support greater economic activity.
Ayẹni also highlighted the importance of connecting these different stakeholders around a shared commercial agenda. “The entrepreneurs are building, the investors are financing them, and policymakers are creating the conditions for
growth. The opportunity is to bring these groups together and ask how Africa’s growing influence can translate into tangible commercial value.” He said.
The Africa Breakfast Conversations has established itself as a platform for U.S., African and global leaders to connect during UNGA. The speaker lineup featured Hackim Abdul, Director of Citi’s Public Sector Group for Africa; Yasamin Alttahir, Director of Global Marketing, Communications and External Affairs at The King’s Trust International; Kayode Akintemi, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of News Central TV; Akunna Cook, former Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs in the Biden-Harris Administration and current Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Next Narrative Africa; and Otunba (Dr.) Bimbola Ashiru, Chairman, Blackcod Group and Group Director, Odu’a Investment Company Limited.
Previous editions included Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings and Coronation Group; Iyin Aboyeji, Founding Partner at Future Africa; Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services Officer at MTN Nigeria, as well as executives from The King’s Trust, Goldman Sachs, Citi, NBA Africa, UBA and other leading organisations. The 2026 edition expanded this platform by bringing the conversation around the future of continued economic collaboration between U.S., Africa and global markets into sharper focus through the lens of trade, investment, partnership and global influence. X3M Ideas served as the creative partner for the event.
