On September 22, 2025, the Forward Africa Leaders Symposium (FALS) brought together a remarkable group of leaders, innovators, and policymakers for a day of dialogue on Africa’s digital future. Held at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York alongside the United Nations General Assembly, the symposium created space for some of the continent’s most influential voices to explore how technology, governance, and collaboration can unlock sustainable growth for Africa and its people.
For this special gathering, we were proud to see our CEO, Edmund Green, representing the Board Harbor Foundation among a distinguished lineup of speakers that included H.E. Inkosi E.M. Buthelezi, Minister of Public Services and Administration of South Africa; H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Dr. Fatimah Elsheikh, Secretary General of BADEA; Balkissa Ide Siddo, Public Policy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at META; Fatima Tambajang, Head of Developer Relations for Startups and VC at NVIDIA; and Garth Klintworth, Chief Representative Officer of ABSA USA, among others.
The Forward Africa Leaders Symposium is more than an event, it’s a movement. Over the course of the day, leaders exchanged ideas on topics ranging from digital inclusion and AI ethics to governance reform and cross-border data frameworks. Each conversation reflected a shared belief that Africa’s digital transformation is not a distant ambition, but an unfolding reality, one driven by collaboration, innovation, and trust.
During the session titled “Investing in the Future – People, Infrastructure & AI,” Edmund contributed to discussions focused on the building blocks of a sustainable and inclusive digital future—investing in talent, digital infrastructure, and responsible technology adoption. His participation underscored the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to advancing digital transformation through collaboration, partnership, and leadership development across the continent.
Throughout the day, FALS provided a forum for connection and collaboration, bringing together diverse perspectives from across Africa’s public and private sectors. From conversations on data sovereignty and cross-border digital trade to reflections on governance, AI, and innovation, the dialogue reflected a shared belief that Africa’s next chapter will be defined by inclusion, trust, and digital empowerment.
The symposium concluded with a networking reception, where the energy of the day carried forward into new partnerships and shared commitments to action.
For the Board Harbor Foundation, Edmund’s participation at FALS 2025 reinforced our belief in Africa’s potential to lead globally in digital innovation, rooted in collaboration, guided by purpose, and driven by connection. We extend our gratitude to the Forward Africa Leaders Symposium team for curating such an inspiring platform and for bringing together leaders who are shaping the future of the continent’s digital landscape.