Sola Oke, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard, has urged African leaders, businesses, and global partners to move beyond dialogue and take decisive steps to harness the continent’s vast potential. Her remarks came after participating in two high-profile panel discussions during the week of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Oke spoke at the Africa Digital Futures Summit 2025, organized by Africa House in partnership with ServiceNow and under the auspices of South Africa’s G20 Presidency. The session explored Africa’s vibrant creative economy and its role in driving sustainable economic growth. She highlighted that the continent’s creative industries — from music and film to design and digital content — are not only cultural assets but also powerful economic engines capable of contributing significantly to Africa’s global competitiveness.
She also participated in The Bigger Picture Take XI, an event hosted by Black@ that focused on creative expression across the African diaspora under the theme “Beyond Borders.” This discussion underscored the importance of cross-cultural collaboration and the need for Africa to project its creative voice on the global stage.
Reflecting on both events, Oke emphasized that the conversations revealed a consistent theme: Africa should be regarded as a continent of wealth and opportunity rather than one defined by risk. She argued that Africa can no longer afford to wait for external solutions but must instead shape its own future through localized innovations. According to Oke, this approach extends from harnessing the power of Africa’s music and creative industries to deploying artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies to drive business transformation across the continent.
Oke also attended the launch of UN Women’s landmark report, “Unfinished Business: Private Sector and Gender Equality,” which highlighted the critical need for inclusive growth strategies and the empowerment of women as a cornerstone of Africa’s development agenda.
In her reflections, Oke stressed that the time for discussion has passed and that the continent must demonstrate readiness to act. She pointed to the urgent need to unlock the potential of Africa’s youthful population, which represents both a challenge and an unprecedented opportunity for economic expansion. Furthermore, she underscored the importance of transcending self-imposed borders within Africa to enable seamless collaboration and innovation that can benefit not only the continent but also the wider world.
A recurring theme in her remarks was the central role of public-private partnerships in driving progress. Oke argued that sustainable growth can only be achieved through collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society, working together to create enabling environments for innovation and investment. She concluded with a rallying call for unity of purpose, stressing that Africa’s future will be shaped by collective action and a shared commitment to turn the continent’s promise into tangible outcomes.
