The Africa Breakfast Convos (ABC) 2026 has announced 10 speakers and moderators for its fourth edition in New York. The gathering will take place on Friday, September 25, at the World Trade Center, bringing together leaders from business, finance, media, communications, and public affairs. Hosted by Allison Worldwide and BHM, the event will be held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) and focus on Africa’s next chapter. The forum comes as bilateral US-Ghana trade reaches $2.5 billion and US-Kenya trade exceeds $1.8 billion, reflecting expanding transatlantic commercial links under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The speaker lineup features Hackim Abdul, Director of Citi’s Public Sector Group for Africa; Yasamin Alttahir, Director of Global Marketing, Communications and External Affairs at The King’s Trust International; Kayode Akintemi, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of News Central TV; Akunna Cook, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Next Narrative Africa; Otunba (Dr.) Bimbola Ashiru, Chairman, Blackcod Group and Group Director, Odu’a Investment Company Limited; Claudine Moore, Managing Director for Africa at Allison Worldwide; and Ayeni Adekunle, Chief Executive Officer of BHM Holdings.
ABC 2026 will feature two panel sessions and a fireside chat examining Africa’s growth opportunities, financing needs and global investment story. The first panel will feature Hackim Abdul, Yasamin Alttahir and Otunba (Dr.) Bimbola Ashiru. Stephanie Busari, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SBB Media and former CNN correspondent, will moderate the session.
Kayode Akintemi and Akunna Cook will speak on another panel moderated by Afua Hagan, journalist and broadcaster. The fireside chat will feature Ayeni Adekunle and Claudine Moore. Eden Harris, Chief Special Correspondent at Connecting Africa, will moderate the conversation.
“Africa is no longer a future opportunity; it’s a present-day growth market. This event brings together the entrepreneurs building pan-African businesses, the investors financing them, and the policymakers creating enabling environments. We’re moving beyond potential to explore how Africa’s influence translates into tangible commercial value,” Ayeni said.
“For the past few years, we have provided a platform during UNGA for leaders from Africa, the U.S. and the global business community to connect around the issues and opportunities shaping the continent’s future,” added Claudine. “As the platform continues to evolve, this year’s focus is on strengthening U.S.–Africa trade, partnership and investment, bringing the right decision-makers into the room and creating connections that can translate into meaningful partnerships and commercial opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.”