African leaders, diaspora professionals, and global development partners have sought new strategies to unlock the continent’s economic potential through inclusive, Africa-led transformation.
They gathered in Arlington, Virginia, from July 18 to 19 for the 2025 African Ambassadors’ Economic Forum (AAE Forum 2025) held at the Westin Crystal City Hotel Pentagon.
The two-day forum attracted a mix of political figures, business leaders, policymakers, and international stakeholders determined to redefine the narrative around Africa’s development.
Central to the discussions was the urgent need to create an enabling environment for investment, improve financial transparency, and harness the power of Africa’s vast diaspora, not just as senders of remittances but as strategic investors and innovation drivers.
Speakers emphasized that economic growth must be people-centered, inclusive, and underpinned by sustainable practices and sound governance.
Louis Mussington, President of Saint Martin, urged African leaders to adopt a development philosophy rooted in human capital investment.
Stressing that “we must build people before we build nations,” Mussington underscored the importance of prioritizing youth and women in economic planning and decision-making.
Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City, speaking virtually, highlighted New York’s role as a global nexus for entrepreneurship and diplomacy, encouraging deeper business linkages between African entrepreneurs and the city’s innovation ecosystem.
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Abubakar Jidda, Nigeria’s Consul General in New York, called on the diaspora to take bolder steps into entrepreneurship and scalable business ventures back home, urging a shift from passive financial support to active economic participation that drives local job creation and industrial growth.
Among the most debated issues was the continent’s fraught experience with capital flows.
While Africa remains a major source of outbound capital, foreign investors often face significant challenges repatriating profits, raising concerns about regulatory inefficiencies.
In response, Bernadette Davis of Saint Martin stressed the need for African governments to reform investment policies and streamline financial regulations.
She pointed to infrastructure, energy, aviation, and innovation as key sectors ripe for cross-border collaboration and sustainable returns.
Utchay Odims, President of the Global Initiative for Africa’s Advancement (GIAA), and David Egwu, Managing Director, noted that the AAE Forum is a platform for ethical leadership and practical economic solutions.
According to them, the forum has evolved into a hub for Africa-centric dialogue and diaspora-driven innovation as their work has attracted a growing network of institutional partners and leaders committed to equitable development across the continent.
