We Are the Now, African Changemakers Take Center Stage at Goalkeepers 2030

The just-concluded “Africa in Motion” event, held under the #Goalkeepers2030 banner, brought together some of the continent’s most inspiring voices in a celebration of African-led innovation, talent, and resilience. Designed as a platform to recognize homegrown solutions and spotlight changemakers driving impact across the continent, the event delivered a stirring combination of storytelling, panel discussions, and musical performances.

Hosted by celebrated media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the gathering emphasized the urgency and agency with which Africans are transforming their communities. Ebuka emphasized the core message of the evening, noting that the innovations being recognized are effective because they were created on the continent by people who deeply understand the challenges. “Now, all of these breakthroughs work because they were built right here on the continent, by people who know the problems. And they’re bold enough to build the solutions. Now, this is Africa in motion. We are not waiting for change, we are driving it and the world should be watching,” he declared!

The event’s storytellers took center stage, offering powerful personal reflections that illustrated the spirit of African ingenuity. Wawira Njiru, CEO of Food4Education, highlighted the role of collaboration in Africa’s development. She stressed that Africa has the capacity to move itself forward, but that government, philanthropy, and the private sector must be willing to join in the journey. “When global aid retreats, African ingenuity must step forward,” she said. “And the right global partners must act as catalysts, ready to make the biggest bets.”

Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, founder of Healthtracka, offered a stirring message on agency and purpose. Her words resonated with the urgency of the moment as she declared, “We are the ones building the solutions that we need. And we’re doing it with data, with dignity, and with urgency. We’re not the future. We’re the now. Africa needs me. Africa needs you to be bold, to be innovative, to be audacious. To turn our pain into purpose.

Eniola Mafe-Abaga, Director at Bridges to Prosperity, brought a poetic close to the storytelling session. Reflecting on the meaning of her name, she likened Africa to a land of untapped wealth, rich in more than just natural resources. “Because just like my name, Africa holds wealth wildly abundant wealth. For that promise to become power, we must join hands across sectors, across borders, across oceans,” she said. She called on sons, daughters, and friends of the continent to invest not only their money but also their time, energy, and imagination in Africa’s future.

The evening was also elevated by the musical curation of Nigerian rapper and activist M.I. Abaga, Waje, whose performances added artistic depth to the event’s themes of progress, resilience, and unity.

“Africa in Motion” was more than a celebration, it was a moment of collective affirmation. It reaffirmed that solutions are being built on the continent, by the continent, for the world.