AFRICON 2025 (Atlanta, USA) - Event Review by Norman Busigu (Official Press)
“Hey Cousin! Welcome To The A…”
“Our true freedom is in the unknown; what we can do is learn (and) create new systems; the only system that we know is parasitic” … In many ways, this statement by David Banner (Rapper, Producer and Activist) during his keynote speech aptly captures the sentiment of AFRICON 2025, both for its brutally honest (and analytical) assessment on the current societal landscape (as he sees it pertaining to the black community, and other marginalised groups at large), but also for its optimistic and forward-looking perspective that simply must be maintained in order for us to actualise a better tomorrow.
Taking place at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia from 18th-20th September, AFRICON 2025 held two primary aims: to unite the African diaspora and to scale African brands. Mayor Andre Dickens during his speech warmly welcomed attendees to the convention and the city, describing it as “the cultural epicenter of the USA”. Widely dubbed as the Black Mecca and Hollywood of the South, Atlanta was a fitting location to hold this edition of AFRICON.
Atlanta Mayor, Andre Dickens
PFTD were invited as a media partner/official press to attend AFRICON 2025. Though our team couldn’t attend in person, Norman Busigu remotely reviewed the affairs as they happened in real time, to then draft this event overview/summary.
What Is AFRICON?
AFRICON is an annual conference and cultural festival celebrating Africa and its diaspora. The brains behind this initiative are Dami Kujembola (the CEO of Amplify Africa, which is the parent company of AFRICON) along with co-founder and COO Timi Adeyeba. The latter expressed during the closing remarks of his speech that “Africa’s story is global: it belongs to us”. This in our view symbolises the increasing shift in focus that the black community now holds towards attaining true equitable ownership of its creations and enterprises, alongside and achieving unity among Africans worldwide. The 2025 edition of AFRICON provided a wide variety of offerings including: panel sessions, workshops, pitch competitions, music showcases, fashion bazaars, and a film festival. Holistically speaking, they were insightful, intentional, and impactful.
With a star-studded roster of exceptional talents and industry leaders including Hannatu Musawa (the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), Grammy-nominated Artist Wale, Eni Aluko MBE, Mustafa Chike Obi (Chairman of Fidelity Bank), and Tuma Basa (Director at YouTube), the three-day spectacle had no shortage of wisdoms and knowledge being shared. Having such an impressive lineup also speaks to the expansive networks that the AFRICON team can readily call upon, and within that, the trust and credibility that AFRICON holds in the global African community.
A Conference App was available for download to usefully assist attendees in navigating the schedules, speakers and black owned immersive marketplace. High profile partners/sponsors included Revolt, BET, Hot 97, Trace, Fidelity, Amplify Africa and Black Enterprise. The first in person AFRICON was held in May 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Since then, it is evident that AFRICON has evolved and continued to go from strength to strength, rising to the new benchmarks it sets for itself.
In-between workshops and panel talks, attendees were free to explore the marketplace exhibition area, where they could engage with the (B2B) pop-up activations. Some brands on display included: Forvr mood, Omas Whole Foods, Ohiole Lagos, Green Economic Zone, and Morin D Leatherworks. This marketplace offered genuine opportunities for vendors to grow their businesses, through direct networking and amplification.
A Vendor at Market Square
Day 1: From State Capitol To The Gathering Spot
In the grand, historic halls of Georgia State Capitol, AFRICON welcomed Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who delivered an emboldened speech of unity and collaboration - notably expressing that “Lagos is eager to work with the city of Atlanta and connect with the diaspora”. More than a series of statements, he made a sincere call to action to truly strengthen relations between the continent and the diaspora. In doing so, he zoned into the symbiotic relationship between Atlanta and Lagos.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Georgia State Capitol
Contextually, Lagos is an important strategic hub for partnership in this respect, given that it is widely regarded as the gateway to west Africa and is the commercial capital for Nigeria. Atlanta is home to one of the largest Nigerian communities in the United States, showing the crossover between the two cities. Going further, the relationship between Atlanta and Lagos is particularly special, as both thrive at the intersection of trade, innovation and culture. Such a meeting of the two worlds via AFRICON is a large step in cementing the city-to-city ties. The Governor notably expressed desires to welcome and cement partnerships between the two cities in industries across infrastructure, healthcare, tech and the creative industries.
The vibrant Welcome Ceremony then commenced place from 7pm at the Gathering Spot - a private members club which is “deeply rooted in community and culture”. Separately, was the Singles Date and Dine mixer at Mistora - in which over 30 men and women and attended. And it was made very clear that the focus of the event wasn’t about finding your next business partner or to discuss company profits(!) The heartfelt and feelings led get-together was hosted by the Hollywood Wingwoman.
The Welcome Ceremony at the Gathering Spot
Day 2: Equipping The Community With Tools To Navigate The New World
“The goal was and still is to build community” – words from Dami Kujembola which set the tone and kick-started the panel talks into effect. And with a wide range of sessions led by industry experts on how to navigate factors affecting almost all sectors of society and business including AI and raising capital, this was definitely achieved. The day was closed off by reflections and performance by the Kokomaster himself, modern afrobeats pioneer, D’Banj.
Jackie Asamoah
The sessions on day 2 were as follows:
Finance Ecosystems – Unlocking Capital For Global Export Competitiveness (speakers: Efe Ukala, Olasunkanmi Owoyemi, Mustafa Chike-Obi, Abba Bello, and moderated by Catherine Endeley)
Culture – Bridging The Unspoken Gaps Between Africa and The Diaspora (speakers: Dora Din Whittley, Abdul Abdullah, David Banner, Chaka Zulu, and moderated by Barkue Tubman)
Entrepreneurship – From Investment To Idea (speakers: Kofi Ampadu and Ivan Tchatchouwo)
Music – Culture, Control & Commerce: Navigating The Global Music Economy (speakers: Tuma Basa, DJ Obi, Niyi Osidipe, Camillo Do-Regos, and moderated by Mankaprr Conteh)
Trade – Beyond The Bot: Building Brands That AI Can’t Replicate with AMAKA (speakers: Adaora O-Njoku and Ethan King)
Film – Script To Scale: Financing Stories That Shape Africa’s Global Image (speakers: Mabel Ndagi, Azie Tesfai, Lavaille Lavette, Akunna Cook and moderated by Jemilah Alghali)
Beauty – Beauty Beyond Borders: Scaling Brands For The Global Diaspora (speakers: Tisha Thompson, Jackie Asamoah, Diarrah Ndiaye and moderated by Tomi Talabi)
Real Estate – wealth building workshop with Olu Ogundeyin
Digital Railroads – Powering U.S.-America Commerce Through Fintech (speakers: Seyi Ebenezer, Charles Oligbo, Aishah N. Ahmad and moderated by M’Balu Bangura)
Start up – Borderless Business: How The Diaspora Is Driving Global Entrepreneurship (speakers: Kalule Guwatudde, Denis Asamoah, Thabiti Stephens, Amira Rasool and moderated by Temi Butler)
Panel – Endowed legacy, Leadership and Global Impact of D’Banj (speakers: D’banj, Sandra Oboh and moderated by Chidimma Nwankwo)
Panel Session in action
Day 3: Growth, Globalisation and a Gala
Day 3 was just as exciting as Day 2 in its bursting diversity of talks and sessions. With another roaring roster of distinguished speakers including the Grammy nominated artist Juls, the sessions on day 3 offered further insight and supplement on how Africans can navigate the current socio-economic landscape and effectively amplify their brand, services and market offerings.
Fireside Chat with Grammy nominated artist Wale
The event then closed out in spectacular style, through a steller showcasing of African fashion and music; these art forms blended during the Icon Gala, which consisted of an awards ceremony and fashion show - where notably was a showcase by designer Claude Kameni. For those who wanted to continue their turn-up even further, they could make their way to Domaine, where an Obi’s House afterparty took place. The DJ line up consisted of: Dj Obi, Ecool, Dj Kash, Juls, Unruely, On So, and Ovo g.
Icon Gala fashion show, featuring designer Claude Kameni
The sessions on day 3 were as follows:
Against the Grain – Building Uncommon Legacies In African Homes (speakers: Juls, Chiney Ogwumike, Ope Amosu, Eni Aluko MBE, and moderated by Mary Omatiga)
Sustainability – Green Is The New Gold: How Africans Can Lead In Sustainable, Scaleable and Investable Trade (speakers: Ayokunle Olowokande, Inyene Benson, Jonnell Carol Minefee, Dr Stella Iwuagwu and moderated by Ebun Feludu)
Trade Promotion and Facilitation – Laying the Tracks, Strengthening The Institutional Infrastructure for Africa’s Trade Promotion (speakers: Sabastine C. Osita, Titus Olowokere, Nonye Ayeni, Dana Banks and moderated by Afie Braimoh)
Tech – Sustaining your Tech Job in the Age of AI (speakers: Abdie Mohamed, Kingsley Ufere, Azocha Nkobena, John Imah and moderated by Ariel Lopez)
Fashion – The Rise of African Fashion and Breaking Into Global Retail (speakers: Tolu Oye, Claude Kameni, Iretidayo Zaccheaus, Khadija Aisha Ba and moderated by Nana Agyemang)
Financing African creativity: accessing Afrexim Bank Funding for Film and Creative Projects (speakers: Okechukwu Ihejirik and Victor Mukete)
Travel - Diaspora Destinations: Rewriting The Narrative In Global Travel (speakers: Tenille Clarke, Eni Popoola, Jhordan Gibbs, Tayo Aina, and moderated by Khady Thiam)
Disclaimer - we do not own the images used in this post. They are used purely for educational/journalistic purposes.
