Judson Asiruwa

By 2050, Africa will be home to 25% of the world’s population with more than $16 trillion in combined business and consumer spending. This profound demographic shift and economic growth are driving transformative change across African markets, offering unprecedented opportunities for investment. With strategic leadership by business and policymakers alike, these opportunities can be seized to fuel industrialization, create jobs, foster technological innovation, advance green economies, reduce poverty, and raise the standard of living across the continent.

“Realizing Africa’s Potential: A Journey to Prosperity” identifies the trends, opportunities, challenges, and strategies for success in Africa’s emerging industries including health care and pharmaceuticals; mining; insurance; investment; private equity and venture capital; international and intraregional trade (automotive, agriculture and agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, transportation and logistics); capital markets; and entertainment. The book offers unparalleled insights to scholars, investors and policymakers alike a holistic perspective on how these industries may evolve and actionable strategies on how to maximize the impact of trade and investment on industrialization to unlock Africa’s long-term prosperity.

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Despite flashes of global attention, African fashion brands often struggle to achieve lasting prominence. Too often, Africa’s fashion industry is measured against Western frameworks - fashion houses, fashion weeks, and global runways - that fail to align with the continent’s unique resources, market dynamics, and strengths like sustainability and local artisanship. This panel will challenge these conventions, exploring how African brands can forge a resilient and distinctly African fashion ecosystem by harnessing the talent, traditions, and opportunities already present within the continent, to create a model that thrives locally and competes globally.

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