Global Diasporans have been urged to build a solid economy for Africans, reshape global narratives and amplify African perspectives.
Benedict Oramah, president and chairman of the board of directors of Afreximbank, gave this urge during the Global Africa Diaspora Day, on the sideline of the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers, Algeria.
Global Africa Diaspora Day brought together heads of State, senior government officials, business leaders, and cultural icons from across Africa, the Caribbean,
and the Diaspora – with the renewed vision to bring unity and economic sovereignty.
Held at the Centre International de Conferences (CIC) in Algiers, Global Africa Diaspora Day opened with remarks from Sifi Ghrieb, acting prime minister of Algeria. This was followed by a statementfrom Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria and chairman of IATF; Mia Amor Mottley, prime minister of Barbados; Terrance Drew, prime minister of St. Kitts and Nevis; and Dickon Mitchell, prime minister of Grenada, who all rallied for unity between Africa and its Diaspora.
Delivering the keynote address, Oramah, emphasised that Global Africa must evolve into a cohesive market of nearly two billion people: “The work ahead of us is to use the force of our collective endeavours and knowledge to build a solid economy for ourselves and by ourselves. We must produce within our communities, sell within our communities, and take pride in consuming what is produced within our communities.”
Oramah added: “Our concept of Global Africa can be defined as Pan-Africanism underpinned by markets and by the capital we own and control. Today’s event is pivotal in driving that new agenda.” Reinforcing this message, Terrance Drew, prime minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, explained
how Africa and its Diaspora are working towards building bridges and having a bright future together: “Global Africa is not a new idea. It is the continuation of a great journey to mend a past that was broken and to secure a future rooted in unity and sovereignty.”
The day concluded with a conversation on “Decolonising Narratives: Africa’s Voice in the Global Discourse” and was moderated by Karim Zéribi (Algeria). The panel featured Orlando Romain (Grenada), Lavaille Lavette (USA), Noureddine Zahzah (Algeria), Naïma Yahi (Algeria), and Temwa Gondwe (Afreximbank), who discussed ways to reshape global narratives and amplify African perspectives.

