Diaspora Encouraged to Invest in African Economic Growth

Global diasporans were urged to contribute to building a strong African economy, reshaping global narratives, and amplifying African perspectives. The call came from Benedict Oramah, president and chairman of the board of directors of Afreximbank, during the Global Africa Diaspora Day, held on the sidelines of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers, Algeria.

Global Africa Diaspora Day Gathering

The Global Africa Diaspora Day brought together leaders from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Diaspora, aiming to foster unity and economic sovereignty. The event took place at the Centre International de Conferences (CIC) in Algiers and included remarks from Sifi Ghrieb, acting prime minister of Algeria, and statements from Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria and chairman of IATF; Mia Amor Mottley, prime minister of Barbados; Terrance Drew, prime minister of St. Kitts and Nevis; and Dickon Mitchell, prime minister of Grenada.

Building a Cohesive Market

Oramah emphasized the need for Global Africa to evolve into a cohesive market of nearly two billion people. He encouraged the development of economies within African communities, promoting local production, sales, and consumption. Oramah defined Global Africa as Pan-Africanism supported by markets and capital controlled by Africans. Prime Minister Terrance Drew of St. Kitts and Nevis echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaborative efforts between Africa and its Diaspora to build bridges and secure a unified future.

Decolonizing Narratives

The day concluded with a discussion on “Decolonising Narratives: Africa’s Voice in the Global Discourse,” moderated by Karim Zéribi of Algeria. Panelists including Orlando Romain (Grenada), Lavaille Lavette (USA), Noureddine Zahzah (Algeria), Naïma Yahi (Algeria), and Temwa Gondwe (Afreximbank) explored strategies to reshape global narratives and amplify African perspectives.

Hope Moses-Ashike, an Associate Editor covering banking and finance at BusinessDay, reported on the event. She has over a decade of experience reporting on Nigeria’s financial system and economy, tracking market movements, monetary policy, and regulatory actions. Moses-Ashike is an alumna of the International Visitors Leadership Programme and holds certifications from the Press Association Training, Lagos Business School, Bloomberg Media Africa Initiative, and Rhodes University.