United Nations, September 26 (WSH) — Hosted by the Permanent Mission of Senegal to the United Nations and co-organized by the World Madam Foundation and the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (ARDN), the Africa Open for Business Summit concluded successfully.
With the theme “Global Partnerships for Trade and Investment with Africa,” the meeting brought together representatives from UN agencies, the diplomatic corps, business leaders, academia, and the African diaspora. It was one of the most significant events during this year’s High-Level Week focused on Africa’s economic development.
World Madam Foundation founder Anni Huang delivered a keynote address, stressing: “Africa is at the heart of global progress, full of vitality in trade, business, and innovation.” She highlighted the Foundation’s work across more than 100 countries, bringing together women leaders from business, culture, education, and community life, noting that empowering women “can open doors to trade, attract investment, and strengthen societies.” She underscored the importance of girls’ education, stating: “Education is the key to opportunity, and no girl should ever be forced to leave school due to a lack of basic necessities.” Huang also reaffirmed the Foundation’s support for the Red Card Campaign, calling for an end to all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.
During the Summit, leaders outlined a roadmap for Africa’s trade and investment, focusing on expanding access to finance, strengthening regional and global trade, and creating opportunities in tourism, renewable energy, and digital innovation. Youth and diaspora entrepreneurship were identified as core engines of future growth. International partners—including UN-Habitat, the National Business League, and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO)—pledged to deepen cooperation, particularly in supporting women-led enterprises, education, and diaspora initiatives.
At the close of the Summit, all delegates raised red cards in unison and declared: “Zero tolerance for violence. Zero tolerance for discrimination. We stand together in commitment.” ARDN President and CEO Dr. Djibril Diallo concluded: “Africa is always open for business, and we are proving it by building partnerships. This Summit shows that when the world joins hands with Africa, we are investing not only in markets, but also in people, opportunities, and a future of dignity and peace.” Echoing this sentiment, Anni Huang emphasized that trade and investment cannot thrive in workplaces marred by violence or discrimination, urging that economic progress must go hand in hand with human dignity.
