Day 3 at Africa House: Where Africa Reclaims the Future
Day 3 at Africa House wasn’t a conference—it was a manifesto. From the unapologetic demands of women entrepreneurs to Will.i.am’s electrifying call to reclaim Black and African identity through STEM, every session crackled with urgency and vision.
The morning’s roundtable declared war on the $42 billion financing gap for African women. “We’re not MICRO-anything,” said Valérie Neim, as she and others called for bold storytelling and dismantling systemic barriers. Egypt’s Dr. Rania Al Mashat followed with wisdom that resonated deeply: “Be like water—flow, adapt, and act. Africa’s leaders must think beyond bullet points to real change.”
Will.i.am’s session was a thunderclap. “Machines will never dream,” he said, challenging Africa to lead with creativity and technology. His vision for a continent that owns its future, rather than mimicking Silicon Valley, was both inspiring and actionable.
The day culminated in the Wakanda 2.0 tech soirée, where Ubuntu wasn’t just discussed—it was manifested. Participants envisioned a future of abundance, driven by blockchain, AI, and Africa’s collective spirit.
Day 3 proved one thing: Africa’s future isn’t something to wait for—it’s being built, unapologetically and on its own terms, right now. If the world doesn’t follow, it will be left behind in Africa’s wake.
Day 3 at Africa House Davos 2025: Reclaiming the Future—From Ubuntu to Wakanda 2.0
Day 3 at Africa House Davos 2025: Reclaiming the Future—From Ubuntu to Wakanda 2.0
The third day of Africa House at Davos felt like a symphony of African ambition, innovation, and resilience. From the power of women entrepreneurs to the role of technology in rewriting the continent’s narrative, each session was a reminder that Africa isn’t just the future—it’s the present, ready to lead. But it wasn’t all strategy and numbers. At its core, Day 3 was about identity—how Africa sees itself, tells its story, and shapes its place in the world.
We, the Women Will: Redefining Leadership, Equity, and Investment
The day began with a breakfast roundtable that cut straight to the heart of Africa’s untapped potential: women-led businesses. Despite a $42 billion financing gap, visionary women across the continent are building transformative companies, challenging the status quo with grit, innovation, and purpose.
Valérie Neim, founder of Invictae, issued a wake-up call. “I’m tired of hearing about MICRO-businesses. We are not MICRO-anything. If we don’t tell our story, the hunters will tell it for us—and they’ll get it wrong.” Her passion was echoed by Francesca Krist of Women’s World Banking, who noted the bias women face during due diligence. “We’re asked tougher questions, treated as riskier investments, even though we outperform on loan repayments.”
The session wasn’t just about problems; it was about action. Lydiah Kemunto Bosire shared how her open call for investment-ready projects received 71 applications in 72 hours. “Imagine what’s possible with more resources and visibility,” she said.
Key Takeaway: Women entrepreneurs are not just a segment of Africa’s economy—they are its backbone. Unlocking their potential isn’t charity; it’s smart economics.
Lunch Fireside Chat: The Wisdom of Egypt’s Dr. Rania Al Mashat
Honorable Dr. Rania Al Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, took the stage for a reflective fireside chat that married personal insight with policy vision. She shared the “4 Cs” essential to leadership: competence, connections, confidence, and charm. “Be like water—adapt, flow, and never stop moving,” she advised.
Shifting gears, Al Mashat emphasized Africa’s opportunity to shift its focus from debt to tradable goods, entrepreneurship, and private sector investment. “There’s no single way forward. The world isn’t linear. The future belongs to those who dare to act today.”
Her insights into global cooperation highlighted the need for clarity and commitment. “Africa must be seen as a continent of opportunity, not crisis. But that starts with us owning our narrative and demonstrating leadership.”
Key Takeaway: Leadership isn’t just about action; it’s about vision, adaptability, and authenticity.
Will.i.am: The Silver Bullet of STEM and Identity
After lunch, Will.i.am brought the room to life with his unique blend of cultural critique and technological optimism. A global culture icon, tech investor, and STEM advocate, he shared a deeply personal story about what it means to reclaim identity in a world shaped by systemic inequities.
“Forty years ago, our music told us to stay away from drugs. Today, it glorifies addiction,” he said, highlighting how culture shapes identity and opportunity. Will.i.am lamented a world where investments prioritize machines over people but saw hope in Africa’s youth. “The people who’ve been struggling are the ones who’ll lead the way—they have nothing to lose, only creativity to gain.”
His passion for STEM was more than rhetoric. Through his college prep program for computer science and robotics, he’s equipping students to create jobs, not just apply for them. “Machines can do amazing things, but they’ll never dream,” he said. “Africa’s future is its people—the dreamers, the builders, the creators.”
The session concluded with a live demonstration of FYI.AI, Will.i.am’s language model designed to empower creatives. “The word ‘impossible’ is a lie,” he declared. “Technology isn’t the endgame—it’s the enabler of human potential.”
Key Takeaway: Will.i.am’s session was a call to arms for Africa to reclaim its narrative—through technology, culture, and unapologetic creativity.
Wakanda 2.0: The Tech Soirée That Reimagined Everything
As the day wound down, Africa House transformed into a space of imagination and innovation with the tech soirée, “Remember the Future: Wakanda 2.0.” Unlike traditional panels, this session was an exercise in storytelling—a future forecasting exercise built on the prompt, “I remember.”
“I remember 2025,” one participant began. “The year when hope turned into action and faith moved us forward.” The exercise painted a vision of a future where Africa transcended scarcity and fear to become the epicenter of abundance and unity. Ubuntu wasn’t just a philosophy; it was a declaration of interdependence.
Del Titus Bawuah, CEO of Web3 Africa Group, envisioned a world where Africa led the charge in decentralized finance. “By 2025, we’ll have our own stablecoin, backed by resources. By 2075, we’ll be a superpower.” He spoke of an Africa that no longer relied on aid but leveraged its natural and human capital to drive global innovation.
The soirée ended on a high note with a collective vision: a continent where technology isn’t just used to solve problems but to celebrate humanity’s potential.
Key Takeaway: The tech soirée reminded attendees that the future isn’t something that happens to Africa—it’s something Africa creates.
AI and AfCFTA: Two Pillars of Transformation
Other key panels during the day further cemented Africa’s role as a global leader in innovation and trade. The Golden Age of AI, hosted by Pax Technologica, explored how exponential technologies could address Africa’s most pressing challenges—from healthcare to education. Thomas Ermacora, founder of Pax Technologica, stressed the need for an ethical AI army built by Africans, for Africans. “Decentralize power,” he urged. “Otherwise, we’ll replicate the same inequalities Silicon Valley thrives on.”
Meanwhile, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) panel envisioned Africa as the world’s largest single market. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Trade, highlighted the need for smoother trade processes. “We have customs delays that kill regional commerce. Digital trade must become the backbone of our economy.”
Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of AfCFTA, issued a challenge to the room. “If you’ve met someone, laughed with them, shared a meal, you’re more likely to do business with them. That’s the essence of AfCFTA—bringing people together, regionally and globally.”
Key Takeaway: Africa’s future lies in seamless integration—digitally, economically, and culturally. AfCFTA isn’t just about trade; it’s about unity.
Africa House: A Declaration, Not a Conversation
Day 3 at Africa House was more than a series of panels and fireside chats. It was a declaration that Africa’s future won’t be dictated by outsiders or limited by outdated narratives. From empowering women entrepreneurs to reimagining tech, trade, and leadership, Africa House made one thing clear: the continent isn’t just participating in the global future—it’s leading it.
And perhaps the most powerful message came from the tech soirée: “Ubuntu isn’t just an idea. It’s a declaration of interdependence.” As Africa rises, it doesn’t rise alone—it lifts the world with it. The question is no longer whether Africa will lead, but whether the world is ready to follow.
Written by Eugene Theodore
CXO, Saga Squared
PANEL
SUMMARIES
BELOW
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.