Africa’s Future Won’t Wait for Permission—Davos Day 2 Proved Why
For decades, Africa has been treated as an afterthought in the global power circles of Davos. But this year, at Africa House, the narrative shifted. Day 2 wasn’t about waiting for inclusion—it was about claiming the stage. From Somalia’s remarkable comeback story to Africa’s bold ambitions in tech and workforce transformation, the message was clear: Africa isn’t asking to join the future; it’s building it.
Somalia, long synonymous with fragility, reintroduced itself as a nation of opportunity. With untapped resources, booming youth demographics, and visionary leadership, it’s back in business and ready to lead. Meanwhile, the tech dinner highlighted Africa’s real priorities: leveraging technology not for hype, but for solving the basic, unsexy challenges that Silicon Valley ignores—like utilities, infrastructure, and education.
Why does this matter? Because the world’s youngest and fastest-growing continent doesn’t have time to wait for outdated narratives to catch up. Africa House wasn’t just another Davos side event. It was a declaration: Africa doesn’t need validation. It needs deep investment, bold partnerships, and a reimagined global narrative.
If the world doesn’t pay attention now, it’ll be left behind. Africa isn’t the future. It’s the present. And it’s unapologetically leading the way.
A Tale of Two Davoses: Somalia, Tech, and the Rising Power of Frontier Nations
In the snowy confines of Davos, where global powerbrokers gather to set the course of world affairs, there’s a tendency for certain narratives to dominate: Wall Street’s financial maneuvering, Silicon Valley’s tech disruptions, and policy debates swirling around G7 or G20 nations. Africa, too often, has been a footnote—a passing mention in the context of aid, instability, or untapped potential.
But this year, at Africa House, a different story unfolded. It wasn’t about seeking a seat at the table. It was about building the table. With sessions focused on Somalia’s transformation, the power of African youth, and the role of technology in shaping the continent’s future, Day 2 was a testament to Africa’s bold ambitions. These weren’t conversations about catching up—they were about leading.
The Somalia Story: From Fragility to Frontier
“Somalia is no longer the Somalia of Captain Phillips,” declared President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a fireside chat that set the tone for the day. He spoke with a clarity and humility that belied the enormity of his task. Somalia’s journey from a failed state to a nation hosting discussions about spaceports and renewable energy wasn’t just remarkable—it was symbolic of Africa’s broader narrative of resilience and reinvention.
“For decades, Somalia was trapped by fragility,” he admitted. “But fragility isn’t a death sentence. It’s a challenge. You don’t build a strong state by borrowing solutions. You build it by investing in your people, in your institutions.” He shared how Somalia, after decades of civil war and famine, was now back at the negotiating table—not as a victim, but as a partner.
The president’s candor was arresting. “What matters is how much the life of the ordinary citizen has changed. Not skyscrapers, not statistics—hope. If you solve one problem well, it creates cascading effects you couldn’t have predicted. That’s where Africa’s future lies: in solving problems that change lives.”
As he received the Presidential Leadership Award, he left the audience with a challenge. “Regardless of the past, the future is a canvas waiting to be painted. The possibilities are endless when we dare to believe in our potential.”
Business Roundtable: Unlocking Somalia’s Potential
Later, Somalia’s leaders and investors gathered for a business roundtable to explore how the country’s progress could be turned into prosperity. Somalia’s appeal lies in its blank canvas—a coastline stretching 3,300 kilometers, renewable energy potential rivaling global leaders, and an untapped fishing industry operating at only 10% of its capacity. But as one participant noted, “Investing in Somalia isn’t about cherry-picking opportunities. It’s about building value chains from scratch.”
This is where the Somalia story becomes a microcosm for the challenges of frontier markets. Infrastructure gaps create investment challenges, but they also present an opportunity for deep, strategic investment that can shape industries from the ground up. “You can’t tackle cold storage for fisheries without fixing electricity costs. You can’t fix electricity costs without investing in renewables. It’s all interconnected,” said a panelist.
The discussion moved beyond logistics to narratives. “The world needs to know that Somalia is back in business,” one speaker emphasized. “There are trillions of dollars sitting idle in private equity funds because investors don’t know where to put it. Changing Somalia’s narrative is as much about marketing as it is about governance.”
But this isn’t just about Somalia. It’s about Africa’s ability to redefine what “investment-ready” looks like. As another panelist put it, “When we talk about execution, it’s difficult to imagine hiring an African firm or partner. That has to change.”
Tech Dinner: The Future Lives Here
Africa’s diaspora is one of its greatest untapped resources. From Silicon Valley to London, Africans have risen to the highest echelons of global business, finance, and culture. But for too long, Africa has been disconnected from this talent. That was the subject of the next panel, where the conversation turned to the need to harness the power of Africa’s global community.
Lejone Mpotjoana, Lesotho’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, struck a chord with his call to action: “We must create the structures that allow the diaspora to invest meaningfully in their own continent,” he said. “Africa has fertile land for agriculture, but we are importing $50 billion worth of food annually. Our resources are leaving the continent, only to come back as expensive finished products. The diaspora must help change that.”
Tarisai Garande, Managing Director of Cultiv8 Ventures, echoed this, noting the importance of creating an African business identity. “We need to stop thinking we must become like others,” Tarisai said. “Africa’s way of doing business is just as valid as any other. We need to own our narrative and our methods.”
This panel highlighted the importance of forging stronger connections between the diaspora and the continent. The idea was simple: diaspora investments are vital, but so is the cultural and intellectual exchange that comes from fostering a deeper connection with home. As Lydiah Kemunto Bosire, the session’s moderator, explained: “The diaspora has the power to unlock opportunities that others cannot see. It’s time to bring them back into the fold, to reimagine what Africa’s future can look like.”
A Tale of Two Davoses
At this pivotal moment in history, Africa House at Davos was the perfect place for these crucial conversations to unfold. In a world facing unprecedented challenges—from the digital revolution to climate change—Africa is poised not to be a passive player but an active architect of the future. The continent’s youth, its creatives, its entrepreneurs, and its diaspora have the potential to drive the kind of transformative change that the world desperately needs.
For too long, Africa’s conversations at Davos have been about aid, poverty, and crisis. This year, at Africa House, the conversation has shifted. Here, the future of Africa is being built—by Africans, for the world.
Africa House is not just an event. It is the beginning of a new story. A story where Africa takes its rightful place as a leader in the global economy and a shaper of the future. As the world grapples with the challenges of the 21st century, Africa House is laying the foundation for a new era—an era where Africa leads.
Written by Eugene Theodore
CXO, Saga Squared
PANEL
SUMMARIES
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Fireside Chat with His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia
Theme: Somalia’s Transformation—From Fragility to Leadership
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud began with a powerful reflection: “What matters is not how many skyscrapers are built, but how much the life of the ordinary citizen has changed.” Somalia’s journey from a failed state to a nation poised for transformation was the cornerstone of this session.
The president recounted Somalia’s tumultuous history—decades of civil war, 12 years of transitional governance, and a famine that claimed 300,000 lives despite food being available. But, as he emphasized, Somalia is no longer defined by those scars.
Key milestones were outlined:
Emerging from debt last year, Somalia now has a five-year infrastructure plan (and process for creating multiple, future five-year plans) and access to international financing.
Plans for a spaceport—an indication of the trust and vision global stakeholders are placing in Somalia.
A strategic focus on empowering its youth, who make up 70% of the population.
The president’s words resonated with purpose: “The Somalia of Hollywood’s Captain Phillips is gone. We’ve joined the UN Security Council—a symbol of trust and development. Let this be a beacon of hope for every nation with a difficult past.”
Takeaway: Somalia’s story isn’t just about resilience; it’s about transformation. Through self-reliance, strategic vision, and strong institutions, Somalia is reclaiming its place on the global stage.
Business Roundtable: Unlocking Opportunities in Somalia
Theme: Frontier Markets—Deep Investment in Somalia
This roundtable explored Somalia’s untapped potential, from its 3,300 km coastline to its renewable energy resources. But panelists made it clear that investing in Somalia isn’t for the faint-hearted—it requires deep, value-chain thinking.
Speakers highlighted several key opportunities:
Fishing: Somalia is tapping into only 10% of its fisheries potential due to infrastructure gaps. Addressing this could open vast opportunities for sustainable development.
Renewable Energy: With conditions ideal for solar and wind power, Somalia is a cost-effective solution for clean energy projects.
Youth Productivity: With 70% of the population under 30, Somalia offers a highly productive workforce ready to lead.
However, challenges persist. As one speaker noted, “You can’t cherry-pick investments. Tackling fisheries requires cold storage, which requires electricity, which requires renewable energy. It’s all interconnected.”
The panel also called for a narrative shift. “Somalia is back at the table and back in business,” one participant declared. But global investors need clear, creative narratives to understand the opportunity.
Takeaway: Somalia offers investors a blank canvas—but one that requires patience, partnership, and a commitment to building the ecosystem from the ground up.
Tech Dinner: A Bold Vision for the DO-gital Future
Theme: Africa’s Youth as the Global Workforce of the Future
This dinner session underscored Africa’s demographic advantage: by 2050, 7 out of 10 young people globally will be African. The focus wasn’t on deep tech but on solving foundational challenges that could unlock the continent’s potential.
Key insights included:
While tech dominates global conversations, it represents only 2% of the $100 trillion global economy. The other 98%—construction, sanitation, agriculture—remains untouched by Silicon Valley.
One speaker noted, “It’s not about deep tech. It’s about deep conversations.” Africa’s opportunity lies in using technology to address everyday needs, from utilities to education.
A sense of urgency pervaded the room. “In 20 years, we’ll look back and say the change we wanted to see started here,” declared one speaker. The dinner ended with a challenge: embrace the now, because the future isn’t five years away—it’s already happening.
Takeaway: Africa’s youth are its greatest resource. By investing in education, infrastructure, and foundational technologies, the continent can drive global innovation while solving local challenges.