2025 UNGA: Africans Call for Self-Driven Innovation, “This Is a New Era"
- African innovators represented the continent at the 2025 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States
- They led the call for self-driven innovation for the continent at the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly
- They made it clear that Africa’s innovators are not just part of the conversation—they are shaping the future
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
New York, United States - African innovators stepped beyond participation as they championed homegrown solutions to global challenges at the 2025 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
They rejected the notion that Africa’s future is dependent on external support, instead showcasing local ingenuity and resilience.
Source: Twitter
As reported by Daily Trust, this occurred at a side event convened by eHealth Africa in partnership with Population Services International (PSI), the Population Council, and Reach Digital Health.
The event attracted leaders from across the continent under the theme: “African-led Innovation: Shaping Sustainable Futures With or Without Aid.”
The Executive Director of eHealth Africa, Atef Fawaz, said the gathering was a statement of confidence.
“Africa will be among the top 20 emerging markets in the next two decades. My message to the younger generation is: look into Africa, invest in Africa.”
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, called for African ownership.
Bah said this is a new era for Africa to start designing its own future.
“For decades, aid has shaped health, innovation, and development in Africa—but often without African ownership at the centre,” he said. “This is a new era—an era of designing our own future, where African ideas and creativity lead the way.”
Jean Philbert Nsengimana of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) called on health innovators to emulate fintech success stories like M-PESA.
“Africa has the solutions within. If aid comes, good. If not, we must—and can—move forward regardless.”
Dr Ola Brown, founder of HealthCap Africa, highlighted how global models of government-backed research have driven progress elsewhere.
“When we invest in healthcare innovation in Africa, we don’t just create a healthier continent—we create a healthier world.”
The underlying message at the UNGA 2025 was clear: Africa’s innovators are not just part of the conversation—they are shaping the future.
UNGA 2025: Education minister reinforces global alliances
Recall that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, attended the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
Alausa reinforced global alliances to drive Nigeria’s education reforms during the gathering of world leaders.
He had a strategic engagement with Mark Suzman, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, on the sidelines of the 2025 UNGA
2025 UNGA: 10 takeaways from Nigeria’s statement
In a previous story, Legit.ng reported that the Presidency released the 10 key takeaways in Nigeria’s national statement at the 80th UN General Assembly.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, delivered Nigeria’s national statement.
The State House highlighted Shettima's speech of Nigeria’s national statement and video of the speech.
Source: Legit.ng
