2025: WHAT LIES AHEAD
January has rushed past, and we find ourselves in the second month of 2025. Yet, many unanswered questions linger from the previous year, and fresh challenges continue to test our resolve. Are we truly addressing the pressing issues of our time, or are we merely circling the same conversations without real action?
Davos: A Gathering for Change or an Echo Chamber?
Davos has come and gone, with its usual promise of tackling the world’s most urgent issues. But can we honestly say that this annual gathering delivers meaningful change? Once again, millions of dollars were spent flying the global elite to Switzerland in private jets—ironically, to discuss climate change and inequality. Do these actions reflect genuine commitment, or are they more about optics?
While Davos continues to dominate the headlines, the critical voices questioning its relevance grow louder. Is it a platform for inclusive, actionable solutions, or has it become a showcase for the privileged few to set agendas that benefit themselves? For those of us in Africa, where the climate crisis and economic inequality hit hardest, such questions matter. The solutions we need cannot afford to remain theoretical; they must drive tangible, inclusive progress across all sectors.
Gender Parity: Talk or Action?
As we approach International Women’s Day and Women’s Month in March, the spotlight will once again fall on gender equality. But how much progress have we truly made? Across Africa and the world, patriarchy continues to hold women hostage—exploiting, abusing, and marginalising them. Violence against women remains rampant, and accountability for perpetrators, including powerful leaders, is still alarmingly rare.
It’s not enough to talk about gender parity in boardrooms and conferences. Where are the bold, courageous leaders—male and female—who will take real action? Governments draft policies, civil society advocates, but the private sector must step up as well. CEOs, are you truly addressing gender inequality and sexual harassment in your organisations, or are you just ticking boxes and paying lip service? Words without action ring hollow.
A Moment for Introspection
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is another reminder of the importance of leadership in driving change. But let’s be honest: themes and hashtags won’t fix these systemic issues. It is leadership that needs to lead—not through press releases but through accountability, investment, and bold decisions that dismantle entrenched systems of inequality. It requires a commitment to policies that protect women in the workplace, funding for grassroots gender initiatives, and accountability for those who fail to act.
A Call for Africa’s Leadership
In Africa, we cannot afford to wait for the world to lead on these issues. Our continent is rich with potential—young people, resources, and innovation—but systemic change is required to harness this potential for the benefit of all. It is time for Africa’s leaders to prioritise inclusive growth, climate justice, and gender parity—not as secondary goals but as the foundations of economic development.
2025 can be the year when we, as Africans, ask the tough questions: Are we building societies that value every citizen? Are we tackling the injustices that hold our economies back? Are we holding our leaders accountable, not just for promises but for measurable progress? These are the questions that should guide us forward.
Ending with Hope in Action While these challenges can feel overwhelming, there is reason for hope. Across Africa, individuals and organizations are stepping up. Initiatives like the African Union’s commitment to gender equality, grassroots campaigns addressing gender-based violence, and platforms like JamiiTrade empowering small businesses show that progress is possible.
Let’s challenge ourselves this year to go beyond dialogue. Let’s demand more from those in power and from ourselves. Let us not just imagine a better Africa but work collectively to make it a reality—one bold decision at a time.