Author: Victor Olayiwola

In November 2025, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, renowned entrepreneur and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, participated in a major dialogue at CNN’s Global Perspectives on Africa event held in London. The session, moderated by CNN’s Eleni Giokos, also featured Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, Founder and CEO of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism. Together, they explored the growing impact of Africapitalism and the emergence of a new, more inclusive global economic model shaped by African perspectives. The discussion focused on how Africa’s private sector and its rising generation of entrepreneurs are driving sustainable development, building stronger communities, and influencing…

GTR Africa London is set to return on November 12, 2026, reaffirming its position as the United Kingdom’s leading platform for discussions centered on Africa’s trade, export, and infrastructure financing landscape. As one of the most anticipated events on the international trade calendar, the conference continues to serve as a critical hub for connecting global stakeholders who are shaping the future of African commerce. The 2026 edition is expected to welcome over 500 delegates, including senior representatives from major banks, multinational corporations, export credit agencies, development finance institutions, insurers, and investment bodies. With more than three hours of structured networking…

The BusyBee Event Business Summit has taken a significant step toward expanding its regional footprint by forming a new international partnership with the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa. This collaboration marks a major milestone in BusyBee’s ongoing mission to strengthen the events, tourism and hospitality landscape across West Africa. The announcement was made during the recently concluded 9th edition of the BusyBee Event Business Summit, held in Abuja. According to the summit’s convener, Bisi Sotunde, the partnership highlights the increasing global recognition the platform is receiving and reflects its commitment to intensifying cross-border connections within the industry. As part…

Across Africa, heatwaves, droughts, cyclones and intense flooding are no longer rare or exceptional. These events, once considered unusual, have become increasingly frequent as climate patterns shift. Major African cities are now among the fastest-deteriorating regions in terms of air quality, with pollution levels projected to climb even further in the coming years. While extreme weather events are visibly damaging communities, destroying property and affecting businesses, experts warn that there is another crisis unfolding beneath the surface. The mental health consequences of climate change—particularly on the workforce—are severe, far-reaching and often overlooked. These concerns were emphasised during a recent International…

The debut edition of Entertainment Week Africa (EWA) concluded its first-ever run with remarkable energy, drawing together thousands of creators, industry executives, policymakers, investors and thought leaders for a six-day, multi-venue cultural and creative-economy festival in Lagos. With events spread across Livespot Entertarium, Eko Hotel, EbonyLife Place, Alliance Française and Heritage Place, the inaugural festival established Lagos as an emerging global powerhouse for creativity, innovation and cross-continental collaboration. Below is a full recap of the groundbreaking first edition. EWA 2025 attracted 28,683 participants from more than eight countries and over fifty industries. The multi-venue format featured five major hubs and…

Scotland London Africa Week 2025 has wrapped up with overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, who described the series of events as energising, insightful, and highly productive for strengthening partnerships between Scotland, London, and African nations. The week-long programme brought together influential leaders from government, business, finance, and international trade to explore new opportunities for collaboration and deepen commercial ties between the United Kingdom and Africa. The opening session took place at Old Admiralty House, where the Department for Business and Trade’s Africa team delivered a strategic briefing. Delegates were introduced to the UK Government’s 10-year industrial strategy and its eight…

Africa’s business tourism landscape is experiencing a historic shift following South Africa’s successful hosting of the 2025 G20 Summit, held from August 22 to 24 in Johannesburg. This landmark event—the first G20 Summit ever hosted on African soil—has positioned the continent at the center of the global business tourism map and opened the door to new economic and hospitality opportunities. With the international spotlight now focused on Africa’s capacity to deliver world-class events, the business travel sector is poised for a remarkable expansion. The summit not only elevated South Africa’s profile but also signaled a new era where African destinations…

The National Day of Prayer is currently in full swing at Johannesburg’s iconic FNB Stadium, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd. This year marks the 5th edition of the nationwide mass prayer gathering, an event that first began in 2017 and has continued to grow in popularity and scale with each passing year. Hosted by the Motsepe Foundation, the gathering has once again attracted hundreds of South Africans from various provinces, faith traditions, and community groups. As attendees continue to pour into the stadium, the atmosphere remains charged with excitement, unity, and spiritual anticipation. Music, worship, and collective prayer have…

As governments across West and Central Africa accelerate efforts to modernize their economies through digital transformation, one issue has become increasingly urgent: how to finance the massive infrastructure required to support that transition. From regional data centers and interlinked fiber-optic systems to digital ID platforms and e-government services, the continent needs billions of dollars in annual investment. According to Nathalie Kouassi Akon, the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Regional Director for the Gulf of Guinea, private investors are more open than ever to participating—provided that projects are carefully structured and digital regulations are more harmonized across countries. Speaking with Ecofin Agency…

A significant milestone has been reached in the drive to strengthen African entrepreneurship as a leading business mentorship and capacity-building platform has secured major financial backing for the upcoming Mentor Matchup Challenge 7.0 (MMC 7.0). Powered by 234Finance, the programme is dedicated to empowering emerging and established entrepreneurs across the continent through mentorship, practical training, strategic networking, and improved access to capital. This year’s edition carries the theme “Building Bridges for Equitable Trade,” reflecting the initiative’s focus on tackling the persistent barriers that limit cross-border commerce, regional collaboration, and industrial advancement in Africa. MMC 7.0 aims to create a dynamic…