Johannesburg, South Africa (Tropics Media Group) — The 10th Annual African DOers Showcase and Powerlist, hosted byTropics Magazine, convened a distinguished assembly of African leaders, institutional representatives, and changemakers to celebrate the continent’s transformative achievements and chart a course for future growth.
Welcome and Salutations
Mrs. Vénicia Guinot, Executive Chairwoman & President of Tropics Group of Companies, opened the event with a powerful call for unity and purposeful leadership:
“This landmark 10th edition is a celebration of Africa’s bold visionaries and doers who are shaping the future we all want to see — inclusive, sustainable, and driven by African solutions. Our collective responsibility is to nurture this momentum and ensure that African talent, innovation, and leadership continue to thrive on the global stage.”
Opening Remarks by Masters of Ceremonies
Mr. Jean Moise Ndoh, CEO of Ubuntu Metanoia, and Ms. Pamela Vignikin, Regional Partner – West Africa at Tropics Group of Companies & CEO of FENU Style, set the tone by emphasizing collaboration and innovation as the engines of Africa’s development.
Mr. Ndoh remarked:
“Today’s gathering is a testament to the power of partnership and shared vision. Africa’s rise depends on our ability to work together across sectors and borders, amplifying the voices of those who are driving real change.”
Ms. Vignikin added:
“Empowering African entrepreneurs and innovators is key to unlocking the continent’s potential. This event celebrates those who dare to dream and act boldly for the future of Africa.”
Key Messages from Dignitaries and Institutional Representatives
HE Pedro Lopes, Secretary of State, Republic of Cabo Verde: Highlighted Cabo Verde’s ambition to become a leading tech nation with the recent launch of TechPark CV, a state-of-the-art technology hub spanning two campuses in Praia and Mindelo. He said:
“Africa’s strength lies in its unity. To accelerate sustainable development, African nations must deepen cooperation, harmonize policies, and leverage our shared resources for the benefit of all.”
“TechPark CV is the cornerstone of our digital transformation strategy, designed to foster innovation, attract investment, and support local startups. With strong government backing and African Development Bank financing, we aim to position Cabo Verde as the ‘Tech Islands of West Africa’ — a regional hub connecting West Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Our goal is to diversify the economy, create quality jobs, and increase the digital economy’s share of GDP from 7% to 25%. We believe that being small and agile gives us a unique advantage in the global tech landscape.”
HE Elisabeth Moreno, Minister Delegate for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities & Chairwoman, Ring Capital: Stressed that gender equality and diversity are not only moral imperatives but also economic drivers. She urged governments and private sectors to create enabling environments for women’s leadership and entrepreneurship.
“Empowering women and fostering diversity are essential for sustainable growth. We must ensure equal opportunities and break down barriers so that all talents can contribute fully to Africa’s development.”
Mr. Firmin Matoko, Assistant Director-General, UNESCO: Spoke on the transformative power of education for peace and sustainable development in Africa. He also announced his candidacy for the UNESCO Director-General position:
“Education is the foundation for peace, innovation, and growth. As I contest for the leadership of UNESCO, my vision is to strengthen education systems across Africa, ensuring access, quality, and relevance to empower our youth and build resilient societies.”
HE Ngone Diop, Director, Sub-Regional Office for West Africa, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN ECA): Recognized the leadership of the head representative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), H.E. Claver Gatete, who serves as the Executive Secretary of the commission and emphasized the critical role of economic integration and policy harmonization:
“Under the visionary leadership of H.E. Claver Gatete, the UN ECA is driving efforts to deepen regional integration. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a game-changer that will unlock intra-African trade and investment, fostering inclusive growth and resilience in West Africa and beyond.”
HE Tiguidanke Camara, Chairwoman, Tigui Holdings: Shared insights on scaling African innovation globally by leveraging local solutions through her 13-division of the Tigui Holdings conglomerate. She highlighted her role as a UNDP Business Influencer for the Timbuktu Initiative, which supports youth entrepreneurship and sustainable development:
“Scaling African innovation requires purposeful investment in talent, infrastructure, and industries. Local solutions have global relevance, and it is our duty to nurture them for a self-reliant Africa.”
“Through the UNDP Timbuktu Initiative, I am proud to support young entrepreneurs who are creating solutions with impact. Local ideas have global relevance, and together we can build a self-reliant and prosperous Africa.”
Statement from Melvin Foote, President, The Constituency for Africa
Melvin Foote, President of The Constituency for Africa (CFA), expressed strong support for the vision and impact of the African DOers Showcase and Powerlist, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between African leaders and the diaspora to accelerate the continent’s development.
“The African DOers Showcase is a vital platform that highlights the extraordinary talent and leadership emerging from across the continent and its diaspora. At The Constituency for Africa, we believe that building strong partnerships between Africans at home and abroad is essential to unlocking Africa’s full potential. Celebrating and connecting these changemakers fosters innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development. Together, we can drive transformative change that benefits all Africans.”
Ambassador Cheick Keita, President, Open Business Africa: Delivered a comprehensive vision for African innovation and digital transformation, updating on his leadership of the Observatoire Panafricain du Numérique pour le Développement (OPND):
“Africa is becoming a solution for itself and the world. To unlock this potential, we must invest in education, technology, AI, and the digital economy. The OPND coordinates efforts across governments, private sector, and academia to foster innovation, support startups, and promote policies that enable growth.”
“Tech startups are essential — they create jobs, provide locally adapted solutions, promote entrepreneurship, expand technology access, and drive social innovation. Together, we can build a sustainable and autonomous Africa that leads globally.”
Mr. Stéphane TIKI, Vice-President, Groupement du Patronat Francophone (GPF) : Highlighted the vital role of the African diaspora and announced a delegation of business stakeholders preparing to establish new ventures in Côte d’Ivoire:
“The African diaspora is a key bridge between Africa and Europe. We are organizing a delegation of business leaders to Côte d’Ivoire to foster new partnerships and investments in West Africa, leveraging diaspora networks to accelerate economic development and knowledge exchange.”
A Milestone for African Leadership and Collaboration
The African DOers Showcase and Powerlist, established by Tropics Magazine in 2015, continues to serve as a premier platform recognizing Africa’s most impactful leaders and innovators. This 10th edition reinforced the shared vision of a prosperous, inclusive, and globally competitive Africa.
The upcoming African DOers Powerlist 2025 will unveil the top 700 most influential changemakers across the continent and diaspora, celebrating excellence in business, governance, social impact, and culture.
