L-R: Chairman and Founder of the Milken Institute, USA, Michael Milken; Founder and President/Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote at an Invest Africa event – ‘Africa at an inflection point’, organised by the Milken institute, at the Rockefeller centre , New York.
Michael Milken, Chairman and Founder of the Milken Institute, USA, and Aliko Dangote, Founder and President/Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, took center stage at the highly anticipated Invest Africa event titled *’Africa at an Inflection Point,’* held at the prestigious Rockefeller Center in New York. Organized by the Milken Institute, the event brought together business leaders, policymakers, and investors to discuss the future of Africa’s economy and its growing role on the global stage.
In his opening remarks, Milken highlighted Africa’s vast potential, emphasizing the importance of harnessing the continent’s youthful population, rich natural resources, and technological advancements to accelerate economic growth. He noted that Africa is at a crucial juncture, where the right investments and policy frameworks could drive unparalleled growth and prosperity.
“Africa’s time is now,” Milken stated. “The continent is poised for remarkable growth, but to unlock this potential, we need a collective effort from governments, private sector leaders, and global investors. Our focus should be on areas like infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and financial inclusion.”
Aliko Dangote, a titan in the African business landscape, echoed these sentiments, drawing from his personal experience as Africa’s wealthiest man and leader of one of the continent’s most influential conglomerates. He stressed that local businesses need to lead the charge in Africa’s transformation, citing the pivotal role of the Dangote Group in sectors like cement, sugar, and oil refining.
“The private sector must take the lead in driving development across Africa,” Dangote remarked. “But it is also critical that governments create enabling environments with sound policies and infrastructure to support growth. We need to focus on industries that create jobs and add value locally.”
Dangote also spoke on the importance of industrialization for the continent, referencing his refinery project in Nigeria as an example of how African countries can reduce reliance on imports, create jobs, and enhance economic stability.
The discussion, moderated by leading global economist and Milken Institute Executive Director of Global Markets, Megan Greene, covered a wide range of topics, from Africa’s energy transition to digital innovation. One of the key themes was how Africa’s growing youth population could serve as a demographic dividend if governments and the private sector invest in education, skills development, and technology.
Both Milken and Dangote underscored the role of international investors in Africa’s transformation. Milken called for a new wave of investments focused on sustainability and long-term growth, while Dangote highlighted the lucrative opportunities in sectors like agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.
The event concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to collaborate in supporting Africa’s economic trajectory. Attendees left with a renewed sense of urgency and optimism about the role Africa can play in the global economy if its potential is fully realized.
The *‘Africa at an Inflection Point’* event is part of a broader initiative by the Milken Institute to foster dialogue and solutions around Africa’s development. With New York City as the backdrop, the event served as a powerful reminder that Africa is fast becoming a key player in the global economy.
