Africa's biggest names to converge in Nairobi for African Agenda Forum launch

Kenya is set to host a landmark Pan-African gathering bringing together leaders, business executives, cultural icons, and creatives to discuss leadership, culture, business, and creativity.

The African Agenda Forum launch, themed "Own Our Story. Build Our Future," will convene representatives from all 54 African countries, global ambassadors, members of the African Creative Economy Council, and continental stakeholders.

The Forum aims to advance the African Union’s Agenda 2063 through stronger African-led partnerships, investment, trade, policy, and culture.

For the entertainment industry, the African Creative Economy Council will focus on music, film, fashion, art, and gaming.

It champions funding, intellectual property protection, and opportunities for young creatives while ensuring Africa retains ownership of its cultural wealth.

Adding a major entertainment component to the launch will be the inaugural Unstoppable African Awards.

The awards will recognise individuals pushing boundaries and contributing to the continent’s development across business, governance, innovation, and culture, spotlighting change-makers from within Africa.

The event is also expected to bring together Heads of State, government leaders, diplomats, Fortune 500 CEOs, cultural icons, and global partners.

Showbiz guru and Ambassador Dr Yusuf Noah, popular as Refigah, who is also Acting Chairperson of The African Agenda Forum, said the initiative is about Africans taking ownership of the continent’s narrative.

"For too long, Africa’s story has been written for us. The African Agenda Forum is Africa writing its own story. From our 54 Country Directors to our Creative Economy Council, we are building the institutions, the policies, and the pride that Agenda 2063 demands. Africa does not need to be rescued. Africa needs to organise. And on 31st October, we begin."

Sidwel Phutheho, TAAF SADC Regional Executive, emphasised the importance of regional voices coming together under one continental agenda.

"The South speaks, the North listens, and the whole continent moves. The African Agenda Forum gives SADC and all regions a seat at the table to shape trade, culture, and policy from the ground up. This is regional unity in action for a continental agenda. It is for everyone one of us to carry the responsibility to leave Africa better than we found it."

The message extends beyond culture to agriculture, manufacturing, and trade.

Dr Hillary Musoke, Senior Advisor to the President of Uganda on Agribusiness and Value Addition and TAAF Board Director, noted that economic growth requires value addition.

"Africa’s future will be grown, not borrowed. From farm to factory to global markets, we must add value to what we produce. The African Agenda Forum is the platform to align policy, investment, and youth in agribusiness so that Africa feeds itself and the world — on our own terms."

The event takes place on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 3 pm to 10 pm EAT at the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi.