Over the past two years, Africa has become a powerful force of resilience, innovation, and progress. While challenges persist, the continent’s politics, culture, and environmental leadership have created ripple effects far beyond its borders. Here are the top four ways Africa has shaped the world.
1. Milestones for Women in Leadership
“The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough,” said Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and the first female head of state in Africa. Her words resonate as 2024 marked a year of historic victories for women in power, showcasing Africa’s ongoing strides toward gender equality and transformative leadership.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made history by becoming Namibia’s first female president, securing 57% of the vote. Her election is a significant milestone for women’s empowerment in African politics, reflecting the nation’s commitment to gender equality in governance.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s political journey is marked by extensive experience, including roles as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Vice-President. Her leadership is expected to inspire a new generation of female leaders across Africa and beyond.
In Ghana, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was elected the country’s first female Vice President in 2024, marking a significant step toward gender parity in Ghanaian politics.
“My nomination has many, many implications... It means all of us are on board. The victory is for all of us, but especially for our daughters, for our youth, for our women...,” Opoku-Agyemang said during her acceptance speech.
Despite these advancements, women’s representation in African political leadership remains low, as it does worldwide — in 2024, only five women were elected heads of state out of 31 global elections. These leaders and the progress they represent showcase the transformative power of African women in leadership, inspiring generations to continue shaping a more inclusive future.
2. AfCFTA: Redefining Global Trade
The operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) marked a turning point for economic growth and integration. By uniting 55 nations into the world’s largest free trade zone by participating countries, AfCFTA aims to dismantle trade barriers, foster industrialization, generate employment, and position Africa as a formidable global trade hub. Projections indicate that AfCFTA could boost intra-African trade by 52% by 2025, significantly enhancing economic integration across the continent. The agreement also is expected to raise Africa’s exports to the rest of the world 32% by 2035, catalyzing foreign direct investment and economic diversification.
Beyond trade, AfCFTA holds the promise of substantial socio-economic benefits. Estimates suggest it could lift 30 million Africans out of extreme poverty and increase the continent’s income by up to $450 billion by 2035. How, you ask? First, by boosting trade and market access by reducing tariffs on 97% of tradeable goods.
Second, by increasing jobs and incomes. The expansion of intra-African trade is expected to grow employment opportunities, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, and services. Wages for both skilled and unskilled workers are expected to rise with just over 10% for unskilled workers and about 9.8% for skilled workers. With more jobs and higher wages, households will have more disposable income, lifting people out of extreme poverty. This reduction in trade costs is expected to make essential products more affordable for low-income households, too.
It redefines how Africa engages with the global economy, presenting unprecedented opportunities for sustainable growth and shared prosperity.
3. Climate Leadership on the Global Stage
Africa has emerged as a leading voice in global climate advocacy, demonstrating a strong commitment to addressing climate change despite contributing minimally to global carbon emissions.
Countries such as Kenya and South Africa are setting global benchmarks in renewable energy. Kenya has dramatically increased access to electricity over the past two decades, reaching nearly 84% of its population in 2023, with over 90% of its energy coming from renewable sources. This progress is attributed to several key factors with policy and regulatory frameworks driving this transition to renewable energy. The Energy Act of 2019 serves as Kenya's principal legislation on energy, promoting renewable energy through various provisions. This act has been instrumental in creating a supportive environment for renewable energy investments.
Kenya also benefits from having access to diverse renewable energy sources. The country’s energy mix is predominantly green, with geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar accounting for 85% to 90% of generation in 2023. The remainder is filled by biomass, heavy fuel oil plants, and imports. Renewable sources are expected to replace existing thermal plants as Kenya moves towards a fully green grid by 2030.
South Africa faces challenges in its energy transition because coal currently dominates South Africa’s power mix, accounting for more than 80% of electricity generation. However, South Africa has made ambitious climate commitments and is working towards accelerating its renewable energy capacity. President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a climate change act into law that set caps for large emitters, and which will enable South Africa to meet its emissions reduction commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement.
The government’s Just Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy initiative emphasizes the importance of a fair and inclusive shift towards sustainable energy, aiming to benefit all South Africans by driving economic growth, creating jobs, and enhancing energy security.
4. Cultural and Artistic Dominance
In 2023, South African DJ Black Coffee became the first South African artist to headline Madison Square Garden. His performance was a defining moment for South African house music, showcasing the global appeal of African rhythms.
South Africa’s Tyla has also achieved remarkable milestones. Her breakout single, "Water," became the first solo song to top the Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart for an entire year. Tyla’s debut album, “Tyla,” became the most-streamed album by a Black female artist on Spotify, amassing over 630.6 million streams in under a week.
Similarly, Nigerian Afrobeat star Burna Boy continues to rise globally. He made history by becoming the first African artist to headline a stadium show in the UK and performed to a sold-out crowd at London Stadium on June 3, 2023. Burna Boy’s Grammy wins and global tours have made him a leading ambassador for Afrobeat, further cementing Africa’s musical dominance.
Africa’s film industry has also garnered international acclaim. The “King’s Horseman,” a powerful Nigerian film, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, offering a poignant exploration of Nigerian culture and history. Its success highlighted African storytelling’s richness, signaling a shift in how the world views African cinema.
Another major breakthrough came at the 2024 Academy Awards. “The Mother of All Lies,” the first Moroccan film nominated for Best International Feature Film, and Tunisia’s “Four Daughters” also earned a nomination for Best Documentary Feature, underscoring Africa’s growing presence in global cinema.
Africa’s Ripple Effect
Over the past two years, Africa’s accomplishments highlight the continent’s growing influence and are a testament to Africa’s resilience and power to lead, inspire, and transform — and the best is yet to come. Want to join the movement? Earn tickets to Move Afrika: Kigali and Lagos here.