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Forward Africa Symposium in New York: A strong call for Africa’s integration into the global economy

Turhan Mildon, Chairman of Miller Holdings and Milvest, urged African leaders, investors and policymakers to build strong bridges between Africa and the global economy, “bridges that don’t just extract wealth, but generate shared prosperity.”

The Congolese magnate was speaking at the Forward Africa Leaders Symposium, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York. The event, themed “Advancing Africa’s Digital Transformation: Inspiring Action, Accelerating Growth, Strengthening Impact,” brought together several leading figures from the continent to discuss the use of digital technology as a driver of development and inclusive governance.

“Africa today is more than a continent of promise: it is a continent of action,” said Turhan Mildon. Citing the Democratic Republic of Congo, where his companies are “heavily invested,” he highlighted opportunities in natural resources, agriculture, energy, and human capital.

However, he reiterated that opportunities alone are not enough: “The true measure of progress will lie in how African nations, investors and global partners align around common goals of sustainability, innovation and inclusion.”

The chairman of Miller Holdings stressed the need for long-term investments that add value to local communities, national economies, and the common future. “Partnership, transparency, and respect must remain at the heart of any business,” he stressed.

African Union calls for digital integration

The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Selma Malika Haddadi, welcomed this initiative and recalled the importance of Africa’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030). The objective: to create a single African digital market by 2030, fostering local innovation and regional integration.

However, she warned against the fragmentation of policies and norms, which “creates barriers instead of bridges.” To address this, the AU is working to develop a harmonized continental architecture.

Forward Africa, a pan-African movement

For her part, Hannah Awuku, Founder and Executive Director of Forward Africa, presented the symposium as “a movement dedicated to promoting the African digital ecosystem through strategic partnerships, bold investments and inclusive innovation.”

She recalled that the African digital economy is expected to represent more than 5% of GDP by the end of 2025, driven by a dynamic youth population and the rise of innovations such as mobile money, agritech and healthtech.

Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, Executive Director of the African Peer Review Mechanism, highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence. She said these technologies can help Africa bypass bureaucracy and strengthen integrity in public management.

At the end of this 2nd Forward Africa Leaders Symposium, participants committed to working together to build a sustainable and inclusive digital future for the continent. The event benefited from the support of strategic partners such as the KGL Foundation, GSMA, ABAN, the Africa Business Council, and the African Population and Health Research Center.