What will Drive Game Change for Africa?

What are the new ideas that will truly change Africa’s economic future? This episode explores why stronger growth forecasts are not enough, and what it will take to turn momentum into jobs, higher incomes and multi-decade transformation. From power and transport and digital infrastructure to scale, innovation, leadership and investment, we consider what real game change for Africa looks like.

Perspectives from Africa Debate 2026 in London, organised by Invest Africa, feature Arnold Ekpe, Chairman Business Council for Africa; Uche Orji, Founder Vitesse Africa; Rohitesh Dhawan, CEO International Council for Mining and Metals; Ipeleng Selele; Chair Brand South Africa and Lawrence Dechambenoit - Rio Tinto. It cannot be more of the same!

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Transcript

Africa saw the world’s fastest growth in ultra-high-net-worth individuals last year, driven by lower financing costs, stronger currencies, and increased investment in critical minerals and digital infrastructure.  But what will game change really look like for Africa. In its June 2026 Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank lifted Chad’s 2026 growth forecast to 5.2 percent from 3.7 percent — Africa’s largest upward revision. The upgrade points to Chad’s strong performance at a time when many economies face downgrades. The report also notes widening economic divergence as aid weakens and geopolitical headwinds intensify.  Sub-Saharan Africa is still projected to grow faster than the global economy. Yet these gains are becoming more concentrated, and projections well below the sustained double-digit real and inclusive growth needed for desired impact on communities.

For Chad, the real measure of success will not be whether growth reaches 5.2 percent in 2026, but whether stronger growth, investment and development plans lead to better jobs, higher incomes and lower poverty. At Invest Africa’s June 3 Africa Debate, speakers argued that a bolder push is both possible and necessary if Africa is to seize today’s opportunities and be more relevant.  Experts spoke of a stronger growth mindset, reliable electricity, deeper financial systems, better transport and technology infrastructure, foundational chemical industries and sustained innovation. Digitisation, Scale, circular models, skills and more strategic thinking are also equally important. Turning optimism, forecast upgrades, more High net worth individuals and talk into a decade of consistent, game-changing transformation is a harder test.

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Well that’s it on this special episode of global business insights. We are now on Spotify, Apple, YouTube podcasts and most popular platforms where you get your podcasts from. This is Bode Ososami. Thanks for watching. Bye Bye.