Africa cannot import its future. Our AI systems must be built here rooted in our data, our realities, and our aspirations
A Continental Leadership Platform for Alignment, Influence and Impact
The Forward Africa Leaders Symposium (FALS) is a high-level leadership convening dedicated to aligning leaders perspectives to shape Africa’s digital, economic, and governance future. The Symposium provides a neutral, forward-looking space for dialogue between private and public stakeholders for consensus-building and strategic action on Africa’s most critical transformation priorities and shared development goals. Positioned at the intersection of digital transformation, governance reform, infrastructure development, strategic investment and inclusive and sustainable growth, FALS is designed to move conversations toward practical frameworks, partnerships, and policy-relevant outcomes.
Explore our signature events
A distinguished community of policymakers, business executives, innovators and thought leaders driving the conversations that are shaping Africa’s future.
Prime Minister and Head of State of the Kingdom of Lesotho
Former President of the Republic of Ghana
Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission
CEO, APRM
Secretary General AfCFTA Secretariat
First Lady of the Republic Seychelles
First Lady of the Republic of the Gambia
Chief Minister, Republic of Sierra Leone
MINISTER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATION, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, Republic of South Africa
The framework for every Forward Africa conversation.
Elevating diverse leadership voices that shape policy, business, innovation and Africa’s development agenda through thought leadership and meaningful dialogue.
Transforming ideas into measurable outcomes by promoting practical solutions, institutional excellence and accountable leadership.
Building trusted relationships across governments, businesses, development institutions and civil society to unlock collaboration and shared value.
Advancing policies and investments that promote economic resilience, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and equitable opportunities for all.
Catalyzing innovation, digital transformation and investment to create competitive, resilient and investable ecosystems across Africa
Africa cannot import its future. Our AI systems must be built here rooted in our data, our realities, and our aspirations
When we see all the Natural Resources, Human Resources, we can clearly understand the future is going to be in Africa
In this decisive decade, the hand that holds Africa’s data holds Africa’s future and that hand must be African, and I insist, that hand must be African – It must serve Africa’s prosperity and reflect African value”.
Governance and Innovation must move hand in hand
Our opportunity as the continent of Africa lies in how we ensure that digital transformation becomes the backbone of our development, not a by-product of external interest
A connected and integrated digital economy is fundamental to unlocking intra-African trade, transforming public service delivery, and lowering the cost of doing business across the continent.
AFC is investing in data centers, Fintech platforms and digital enabled industrial hubs— because we know the future will be written in code,powered by clean energy and driven by African talent.
If Africa is not determined, if we are not asking to sit at the table or asking to put forward what we see as African solutions to our unique challenges, we are going to become a digital underclass and this will be a second form of colonialism, a very sophisticated form we cannot leave to chance–we have to engage on these topics and ensure that AI works for all of us
As Africa stands at the threshold of unprecedented digital transformation, the question before us is not whether change is possible but how quickly and inclusively, we can harness it. The answer I believe lies in the strength of partnerships, genuine strategic public private partnerships that unite the innovation, capital and execution capacity of the private sector, with the legitimacy, rich and enabling authority of government.
Africa’s digital transformation is one of the most pressing issues of our time, we need now more than ever better integrated digital economies to unlock the full potential of Intra-African trade.
Explore moments that capture the conversations, connections, and leadership shaping Africa's future.
