By empowering communities and mobilising resources, Africa’s voice can resonate loud and clear in shaping the world’s agenda, paving the way for a brighter future for the continent, according to Ifeoma Chux-Adizwe and Liz Agbor-Tabi.
In a captivating discussion on Jasiri, the two trailblazing advocacy leaders shed light on their groundbreaking initiative, Move Afrika – an ambitious campaign that aims to amplify Africa’s voice on the global stage while driving transformative change across the continent.
“We are powered by a community of young activists who want to make a change and use their voices to amplify what needs to be done,” said Adizwe, Managing Director for Africa at Global Citizen.
Global Citizen’s Mission and Milestones
Founded in 2018 in Australia, Global Citizen has evolved into the world’s leading advocacy organisation, striving to end extreme poverty. Operating across global hubs, including Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and major cities like New York and London, the organisation has built a thriving network of changemakers called “Global Citizens.”
“Over $49 billion in commitments have been raised through our stages, festivals, and music events, impacting over 1.3 billion lives globally.” Adizwe added.
The Move Afrika Campaign
Move Afrika is an extension of this impactful work, focusing on addressing systemic challenges and unlocking the continent’s full potential. The campaign leverages partnerships with governments and the private sector to implement policies and programs that align with the community’s needs.
“Our campaigns and events work with key stakeholders to ensure those big things that need to be done are shifted,” Ifeoma emphasised.
Amplifying Africa’s Voice
Lise Agbor-Tabi, Vice President for Global Policy and Strategic Relationships at Global Citizen, stressed the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable development. “It’s about leveraging the community and research to advocate for what people want. We go back to stakeholders with these demands and work toward real, measurable changes,” she noted.
With initiatives like Move Afrika, Global Citizen is not only fostering change but also creating a platform for Africa to showcase its potential on the global stage, with both leaders encouraging young Africans to join the movement.
“This is about shared prosperity and making sure no one is left behind,” Agbor-Tabi remarked.
The Inspiration Behind Move Afrika
Move Afrika seeks to establish a touring circuit that spans the entire continent, providing global artists access to diverse African audiences and ensuring the economic benefits of these events are widely distributed.
Recognising the underrepresentation of Africa in global music tours, Move Afrika was conceived to bridge the gap and unlock the economic potential of the continent’s creative industries.
“Most global artists announce world tours and travel across the globe. Yet, Africa often remains in the dark, with maybe a show in Johannesburg or Cape Town while the rest of the continent is ignored,” Lisa explained.
“Africa is one of the youngest continents in the world. By mid-century, 70% of African youth will still be under 30,” she noted.
With a growing number of young people seeking opportunities in the creative industries rather than traditional employment, the creative economy has emerged as a critical sector for investment, and Move Afrika aims to catalyse this growth by creating jobs across the creative sector, supporting entrepreneurs and artists and building essential skills for a vibrant creative economy.
