Leaders and Visionaries Convene at The Africa Center for The Global Africa Gateway's Future Africa Forum 2026
The Forum Underscores The Africa Center and African Export-Import Bank’s Commitment to Creating Pathways for the Global Diaspora to Engage in Shaping Africa’s Economic Future.
2026 Theme: Powering Trade, Investment, and Cultural Exchange for Global Africa
(New York, NY, September 30, 2026) – On Wednesday, September 23, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, The Global Africa Gateway - an initiative of The Africa Center, established in partnership with African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), presented its flagship event, Future Africa Forum 2026.
Convened under the theme Powering Trade, Investment, and Cultural Exchange for Global Africa, this year's Forum brought together heads of state, policymakers, business leaders, investors, and Diaspora leaders to translate political and diplomatic goodwill into tangible trade and investment partnerships between Africa and its 200-million-strong global Diaspora.
More than 240 guests were in attendance for this extraordinary evening of programming, including the Honourable Christopher Peter Sinckler, Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Barbados; Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Afreximbank; Arian Simone, CEO of Fearless Fund and Fearless Fund Africa; Amadou Gallo Fall, President, Basketball Africa League; and 11-Year NBA Veteran Roger Mason Jr.
The Forum commenced with a special presentation led by Vance Whitfield, Director of The Global Africa Gateway, highlighting preliminary survey findings of The Africa Center and Afreximbank’s Diaspora Research Study, including a profile on who the Diaspora is, how it engages economically with Africa, and the persistent barriers to diaspora trade and investment opportunities.
Two panel sessions served as the centerpiece of the program. The first, “Game Changers: Leveraging Diaspora Capital and Innovation to Grow African Sports Economies,” explored how diaspora capital, expertise, networks and innovation can contribute to the growth of African sports economies. Drawing on experience across professional sports, investment and enterprise, the session considered how stronger connections between Africa and its diaspora can support the development of commercially sustainable sports ecosystems, expand opportunities and strengthen pathways between talent, markets and capital.
The second panel, “Mining, AI and Agriculture: The Future of Diaspora-Owned Global Value and Supply Chains,” examined the role diaspora-owned businesses can play in building and strengthening global value and supply chains linking African markets with the wider world. Through perspectives from mining, technology and agriculture, the conversation explored how diaspora entrepreneurs can contribute capital, technology, expertise and market access.
The program concluded with a fireside chat with Christopher Peter Sinckler, Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, exploring how stronger Africa–Caribbean engagement can translate shared history and relationships into more structured economic cooperation.
A reception immediately followed the event, featuring special musical performances by Danaya Band.
About The Global Africa Gateway
The Global Africa Gateway is an initiative of The Africa Center, established in partnership with Afreximbank, that creates structured pathways for Africa’s diaspora to engage with people, institutions and opportunities across Africa and Global Africa. The Gateway delivers this through research, convening, partnerships and professional engagement, connecting investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, institutional partners and students with relevant networks and opportunities for meaningful engagement. Through the partnership, The Africa Center brings its institutional home in the heart of New York City, diaspora relationships and convening strength, while Afreximbank contributes economic expertise, continental reach and its wider diaspora strategy.
About The Africa Center
The Africa Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution committed to the principle that a just and peaceful world begins with a flourishing Africa in deep communion with its Diaspora. Located in New York City, The Africa Center convenes artists, creatives, cultural leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to shape artistic expression, narratives, investments, and partnerships critical to the prosperous and secure future of Africa and its Diaspora.
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Media Contact:
Camille Wanliss
Communications & Media Relations Manager
cwanliss@theafricacenter.org