Convener of The Platform and Senior Pastor of The Covenant Nation, Poju Oyemade, has called for a shift in the narrative about Africa, emphasising its extraordinary potential rather than its challenges.
Speaking at The Platform, Africa 2025, yesterday, Oyemade noted Africa’s youthful population, vast natural resources and innovative spirit as key drivers of its growth.
According to him, Africa’s demographic dividend, with a median age of 19, positions is to for a global powerhouse.
Oyemade cited young Africans driving change through innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in tech hubs and entrepreneurial systems, across the world.
Emphasising that Africa’s creative industries, including music and fashion, were gaining global recognition, he urged stakeholders to recognise the continent’s potential and work towards building a future where it shines as a global leader.
He said: “For too long, Africa has been misunderstood, often reduced to stereotypes of poverty and conflict. But the narrative is changing. And it is time we recognise it not for its challenges but for its extraordinary potential.”
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya, stated that being an expert is not enough, but that one must be fluent in the language of the sector to scale up.
She said: “You have to learn to collaborate, else you will be dead in the water. Don’t let the limits others place on you define the size of your ambitions. Sit at the table, speak up, and if no one offers you a seat there still, bring your chair.
“Empathy for empathy’s sake is useless. Empathy should drive policies. Being young and female is not a weakness; I view it as having a superpower. Proximity to power is not having the actual power to solve a problem. The difference between chaos and transformation is clarity.”
Leadership, according to her, has always been spiritual; a call to serve. “The future is not just ahead of us; it is inside of us.”
Director of Afrique Femme, Aissata N’dia, urged the younger ones to have mentors who would guide them in the right direction.
She said: “Maintain your relationships. Stay in touch with people and build your network early on. Life is not linear, and you need to be able to preserve.’’
“Sometimes, an opportunity comes in a disguised form. It could be the opportunity of a lifetime. Be resilient, be open, andadapt to the experience when it comes to you. Stay the course. Adapt to your environment. Be the change you want to see. If you see something you don’t like, you can always act. Success is bringing others with you, opening the door for others to come in.”
Speaking on entrepreneurship, the Group Director of Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina, said the essence of business is not to make money but to effect changes.
“We must recognise that Africa’s market is unique, and not every global solution will succeed here. What value are you adding to your environment and the society at large?”
For the Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, IPSOS Strategy, (Kenya), Soyinka Oyombe, the future of Africa is from within; hence, entrepreneurs must thrive in environments where failure resides and not be seen as evil.
“Africa’s future won’t be imported; it will be built from the inside out. Africa’s greatest innovation will not come from having the most money; it will come from unlocking the resourcefulness, creativity and resilience of its people. The greatest resource in Africa is its people, not its capital.
“We must know that innovation requires more than goodwill; it needs structured investment. Innovation and value are only valuable when they serve the mission.”
