Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
Lagos, Nigeria - AfroTalks Lagos 2025, held on October 11th at Alliance Française, Ikoyi, was a resounding success, bringing together thinkers, creatives, and entrepreneurs to decode the inherited systems that influence the African Dream. The event, themed "Matrix: Navigating Inherited Systems That Influence the African Dream," featured thought-provoking discussions, presentations, and showcases that challenged the status quo and proposed innovative solutions for Africa's development.
The conference kicked off with a panel discussion, "The West Validation: Why Do Africans Need to Travel Out to Achieve the African Dream?" moderated by Adatsi Brownson, a global speaker, poet, and Pan-African advocate. The panelists, including Tatiauna Holland, Onuora Obed (ModernDayTownCrier), and Yusuf Durodola, delivered insightful answers that sparked both applause and introspection. They emphasized the need for Africans to build systems that validate themselves, rather than relying on external validation.
Somto Ajuluchukwu, Creative Director of Vortex Studios, delivered a powerful presentation on "Beyond Inherited Models: Building Sustainable Creative Systems for the African Dream." He challenged creatives to stop mimicking Western media systems and start building sustainable African ecosystems that honor originality, ownership, and longevity. Ajuluchukwu's talk emphasized the importance of redefining African storytelling through comics, film, and visual culture.
Ejiata Violet, advocate for menstrual equity, and Coach Naya (Anthonia Ahanor), etiquette and pageantry coach, also delivered impactful presentations. Violet emphasized the need for access to dignity and education for girls, while Coach Naya reframed etiquette as a tool for empowerment, teaching young women to see confidence and composure as tools for transformation.
The AfroPitch competition, sponsored by Mariama Jalloh and powered by AfroTalks, showcased innovative startups tackling Africa's challenges. The winner, David Ogunbanjo, founder of Not Safe For Children (NSFC), received a ₦1,000,000 pre-seed grant for his tech-driven solution to safeguard minors from harmful online content.
As AfroTalks prepares for its next edition in Kigali, Rwanda, themed "Beyond Borders: Building Systems for Africa's Integration," the conversation continues. Bright Tenbil, founder of AfroTalks, emphasized that "the African Dream is the desire to build by Africans, grow by Africans, for Africans on African soil." The journey to rethink the African Dream has begun, and it will take collaboration, innovation, and determination to build a brighter future for Africa.¹ ²