Reimagining the Africa Growth Story by McKinsey & Company, Africa

The inaugural showcase will spotlight artisanal talent from across the continent via art, fashion, and cultural artifacts. Join us to engage with our phenomenal partner brands and celebrate the rich tapestry of African creativity.

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The past few years has seen a renewed focus on African arts on the global stage: Afrobeats, Nollywood on global streaming platforms, African fashion being shown at various global fashion weeks and carried by global retailers. How can African brands leverage this momentum to build sustainable (economically and ethically) business models that enable their products to be accessible to local and global clientele and withstand the test of time? What are the opportunities to innovate across the value chain and what unique competitive advantages do we have on the continent? This panel will dive into these questions through the lens of various ecosystem stakeholders - designers, retailers, investors, manufacturers - at the forefront of innovating African fashion and bringing it to the global stage

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While the global economy thrives on interconnectedness, Africa's participation in both global production and trade remains a mere glimpse on the grand stage. This underrepresentation extends beyond the world arena, with intra-African trade lagging behind every other continent. In this era of strategic alliances driving trade flows and innovation, the crucial question emerges: can Africa leverage unique and innovative partnership models to claim its rightful seat at the global economic table?

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Navigating strategic global alliances within the continent and beyond with China and the US will significantly impact the African business ecosystem. These alliances can give African businesses access to new markets, capital, technology, and expertise. They can also help African businesses to improve their efficiency and competitiveness. How should African businesses position to create jobs, boost trade, promote innovation, and build sustainable global businesses through these alliances?