On October 4, 2025, the excellence and economic future of the African continent will take center stage at Africa Day, a prestigious event hosted at Sciences Po in Paris. More than just a conference, this day is set to be a strategic crossroads for youth and decision-makers, bringing together an array of influential figures who are already shaping Africa’s economic transformation.

A Platform for Shaping African Development

Moving beyond conventional discourse, Africa Day has a threefold mission: to raise awareness among young people about the continent’s challenges, to inspire a new generation to pursue careers in Africa, and to celebrate African excellence. To achieve this, the event will focus on themes crucial to the economic future of Africa, including: business and economy, technology and AI, geopolitics and regional integration, agriculture and food sovereignty, and cities and infrastructure.

This initiative provides a unique opportunity for students and young professionals to engage directly with the builders of tomorrow’s Africa, understand market dynamics, and identify tangible investment and career opportunities.

Speakers at the Heart of the Continent’s Economic Power

The main draw of Africa Day is the caliber of its speakers. The 2025 edition will feature true titans of African industry and finance whose actions have a direct and measurable impact on development.

• Aliko Dangote, President/CEO of Dangote Group: Often described as an architect of African capitalism, Africa’s wealthiest person is more than a businessman. His vision is one of a self-sufficient and industrialized Africa. Dangote has consistently advocated for Africans to take the lead, once stating, “If you don’t have an interest in your own country, then you are not a patriot.” Through massive investments in cement, agriculture, and, more recently, energy with his mega-refinery, he has demonstrated his ability to transform local resources to meet the continent’s fundamental needs, creating thousands of jobs and reducing dependence on imports.
• Hassanein Hiridjee, CEO of AXIAN Group: As a leading figure of modern pan-African capitalism, Hassanein Hiridjee heads a conglomerate active in key sectors such as telecoms, financial services, energy, and open innovation. Axian is distinguished by its strategy focused on positive and sustainable impact, particularly through the financial inclusion of millions of Africans via mobile money and investment in human capital. Underscoring his belief in local talent, Hiridjee has said, “The energy of our continent is its youth.” By championing better support for African SMEs and launching initiatives like a coding school in Madagascar, he has positioned himself as a major player in the continent’s digital revolution and skills development.
• Moulay Hafid Elalamy, Founder of Saham Group: As Morocco’s former Minister of Industry, Moulay Hafid Elalamy is a financial strategist whose Saham Group has become a pan-African giant, especially in the insurance, health, and education sectors. His career illustrates an ability to anticipate major economic trends and build continental champions. After expanding his insurance empire across the continent, he has recently refocused his investments on Africa by carrying out large-scale financial operations, confirming his ambition to play a leading role in the consolidation of the African financial sector.

The presence of these leaders—alongside other influential figures like Joseph Dion Ngute, Prime Minister of Cameroon, Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, President/CEO of ONE, and Françoise Lombard, CEO of Proparco—guarantees high-level discussions on the concrete levers for growth and innovation in Africa.

For economic actors across the continent and beyond, Africa Day 2025 is an immersion into the heart of Africa’s economic engine and a unique opportunity to gauge ongoing transformations and connect with those driving them.