Youssou Ndour headlines UBA Africa Conversations 2022

Youssou Madjiguène Ndour, legendary African musician and songwriter, participated in the fourth edition of the annual UBA Africa Conversations to commemorate African unity.

The event took place on Tuesday at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheater, UBA House in Lagos.

The UBA Africa Conversations was established in May 2019 as a hallmark initiative in a series of celebrations for Africa Day.

The conversations provide a platform for African and global audiences to connect with global thought leaders, both in the private and public sectors, on their African journey, in a quest to change the narrative on Africa from desolate to successful.

This year’s conversation was themed “The importance of reflecting our African culture in global success stories” and underscores the tremendous shift in Africa’s cultural influence — from Afrobeat to African films, big African fashion labels and African authors, entertainment and culture. The African continent is creating a positive impact globally.

Oliver Alawuba, UBA’s deputy managing director, who welcomed the panellists and the guests to the event, said that as Africa’s global bank, UBA remains at the forefront of supporting businesses across the continent.

“It is from Africa that UBA Africa was set up. UBA has invested so much in Africa. We are in 20 African countries and 4 countries outside Africa; Our focus has always been on driving investments into Africa, through conversations such as this,” he said.

Ndour, who gave the keynote address at the event, spoke on the need for collaboration to boost the continent’s fortunes.

“Young people in Africa have a lot of questions, and we have to listen to them and see how together we can be a solution for Africa. We need to understand that there is a lot to do. Together we can make it,” Ndour said.

Humphrey Desmond Geiseb, the Namibian high commissioner to Nigeria, said globalisation has been good for Africa.

Geiseb said, “Of course, there are still some gaps, there are still a lot of things about Africa that are not known, and I believe that culture and arts can help get it right for us”.

He added that UBA’s foray as an African bank into the United States of America is a testament.

Steve Ayorinde, former commissioner for Tourism, Lagos, who also sat on the panel, pointed out that the liberalisation of the media and digital content is helping to improve the African narrative.

“As Africans, we are at the point where no one denigrates the African culture anymore. Indeed there is still a gap, but we are bridging that gap,” he said.

Lydia Forson, African Movie Academy award-winning Ghanaian actress, who appreciated UBA’s contribution to changing the African narrative, said African culture is now more widely accepted around the world.

“It is great to see a bank like UBA being intentional about promoting Africa. Now, the world gets to see more of us, because, we have started to tell our own stories.”

On his part, Kenneth Ize, a young talented fashion designer, said that the continent holds a lot of potential yet untapped.

“Africa is our home, our culture, and we have to do everything to preserve our culture,” he said.

Laila Salami-Johnson, television anchor and journalist, who moderated the panel session, emphasised that “creativity is really putting Africa on the map”.

Africa Day has been celebrated every May 25th, since 1963, across the continent and worldwide.

The day was inaugurated by the Organisation of African Unity, in celebration of the unity, diversity and beauty of Africa and its people.

UBA said it is fully committed to unifying Africa and continues to lead the narrative focused on development, growth, and unity of Africa.