The Co-Convener of the Omniverse Africa Summit, Charles Emembolu, has called for stronger collaboration among governments, businesses, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs and development partners to drive Africa’s development and secure its place in the future global economy.
Speaking at the opening of the Omniverse Africa Summit 3.0 in Lagos, Emembolu said Africa must move beyond merely reacting to global changes and instead help shape the future through innovation, partnerships and strategic investments.
Addressing participants at the summit, themed “Connected Future: Synergy for Impact,” Emembolu described Omniverse Africa as a platform created to bridge gaps between innovators, investors, policymakers and industry leaders.
“Three years ago, we started with a simple belief. Africa did not need another conference. Africa needed a platform,” he said.
According to him, the summit has grown from an idea into a movement, attracting more than 30,000 participants and over 280 speakers across its first two editions. He added that over 3,000 young people have benefited from employment opportunities, while numerous partnerships and collaborations have emerged through the initiative.
Emembolu noted that the true impact of the summit is reflected not in attendance figures but in the connections and opportunities it creates.
“The true impact of Omniverse is not measured by attendance numbers. It is measured by the connections made,” he stated.
He observed that the world is experiencing rapid changes driven by artificial intelligence, technological disruption, economic uncertainty, climate challenges and shifting global dynamics, stressing that Africa must position itself to benefit from these transformations.
“The world is changing fast. And Africa must not merely react to that change. Africa must help shape it,” he said.
The Co-Convener emphasized that Africa’s greatest asset is its people, highlighting the contributions of entrepreneurs, researchers, creators and innovators across the continent.
He reiterated his long-held position that Africa’s challenge is not a lack of talent but limited access to opportunities.
“Africa does not have a talent problem. Africa has an access problem. We have the talent, the ambition and the creativity. What we lack is access to capital, networks, markets and opportunities,” Emembolu said.
He explained that Omniverse Africa was established to help close these gaps by creating pathways for collaboration and engagement among stakeholders working to advance the continent’s development.
Emembolu further stressed that governments alone cannot build Africa’s future, noting that meaningful progress will require cooperation among public institutions, private sector players, universities, investors, creators and development partners.
He challenged participants to move beyond networking and leave the summit with tangible outcomes.
“Leave here with more than business cards. Leave with partnerships, commitments and new ideas. Leave with actions that will create value long after this summit ends,” he urged.
Emembolu concluded by calling on African leaders and stakeholders to embrace collaboration in addressing shared challenges and unlocking opportunities for growth and prosperity across the continent.
The Omniverse Africa Summit 3.0 is expected to feature discussions on talent development, innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, research, investment, entrepreneurship, defence, creative industries and Africa’s role in the evolving global economy.
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