Africa’s long-term economic growth and global competitiveness depend on scaling local innovation and investing in critical infrastructure, executives said at the 2025 Africa Soft Power Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya.
The summit, which concluded on May 25, brought together policymakers, business leaders, creatives and technologists under the theme “Africa’s Growth Engine: Aligning the Flow of Money, Innovation, and Global Opportunities”.
In a statement on Tuesday, the organisers said the event highlighted the importance of aligning the continent’s financial systems, technological capabilities and creative industries to drive inclusive and sustainable development.
Speakers called for African-led solutions to challenges in digital finance, artificial intelligence, remittances and the creative economy, while urging stronger collaboration across sectors and borders.
Founder of the Africa Soft Power Group, Dr Nkiru Balonwu, said the summit was a platform to “drive real action” around development that is both contextually relevant and led by Africans.
“We can no longer afford to look outside for answers to problems that are uniquely ours. Innovation must be homegrown, and the infrastructure to support it must be reliable, accessible and inclusive,” she said.
A key focus of the discussions was institutionalising gender equity. Member of Parliament in Kenya, Naisula Lesuuda, warned against what she described as “inclusion fatigue” and performative representation. She urged organisations to embed equity within leadership structures.
Executive Director at United Bank for Africa Kenya, Mary Mulili, echoed the call, urging systemic change in how leadership opportunities are offered to women.
The Creative & Innovative Industries Conference, a key part of the summit, showcased Africa’s growing influence in sectors such as digital finance, AI, film and wellness.
Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Philip Ikeazor, said regulators across the continent were updating frameworks to support digital finance in ways that promote access and stability.
“Infrastructure is what connects capital to innovation,” he said, stressing the need for reliable power and robust digital payment systems.
President of the Senegalese Association for Artificial Intelligence, Dr Seydina Moussa Ndiaye, said Africa must define AI “in its own terms”, adding that control over data and infrastructure was essential.
Representative of Google Research Africa, Lorna Omondi, urged African developers to play an active role in AI ecosystems. She said open-source models present a unique opportunity for inclusive technological advancement.
The creative economy was also spotlighted as a vital growth driver. Founding Partner at Ventures Platform, Kola Aina, said African film projects must be “authentic, contextual and bankable” to attract serious investment. He called for improved data, distribution channels and de-risking mechanisms.
Filmmaker, Judy Kibinge, criticised the global preference for negative African narratives and called for “diverse human stories that need to travel”.
Piracy remains a critical concern. Member of the Partners Against Piracy Association of Kenya, Mr Michael Strano, said the Kenyan film industry loses an estimated $2.2m daily to piracy, undermining investor confidence in local content.
The summit also explored the economic potential of the beauty and wellness industries, particularly as platforms for women-led entrepreneurship and local job creation. Speakers noted that these sectors are playing an increasing role in expanding healthcare access and community resilience.
On remittances, participants advocated for transforming diaspora contributions from individual transfers into structured investments. Achieving this, they said, would require policy alignment, interoperability across financial systems and greater transparency to ensure funds support climate adaptation and small business development.
Experts urged African leaders to articulate a unified vision, embrace innovation that reflects the continent’s realities, and take ownership of Africa’s narrative on global platforms.
“Africa’s soft power lies in its people, its ideas and its ability to innovate from within,” the organisers said. “To unlock sustainable growth, we must build systems and narratives that are authentically ours designed by Africans, for Africans, and trusted globally.”
