Afreximbank and The Africa Center to Launch Afreximbank Africa Diaspora Center

The AADC aims to bridge gaps and enhance the flow of Africa-focused information, fostering better economic opportunities for both the African continent and its diaspora.

The Africa Center and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) are set to unveil the Afreximbank Africa Diaspora Center (AADC), an innovative initiative designed to strengthen the connection between Africans on the continent and the African Diaspora. The launch will occur at the 2024 Future Africa Forum on Monday, September 23, 2024, at 4:30 pm EST, hosted at The Africa Center, Aliko Dangote Hall, 1280 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York.

The AADC aims to bridge gaps and enhance the flow of Africa-focused information, fostering better economic opportunities for both the African continent and its diaspora. This initiative aligns with The Africa Center's mission to redefine Africa’s role in the global landscape and Afreximbank’s objective to build a substantial economic force to address contemporary challenges and seize future opportunities.

Dr. Uzodinma Iweala, CEO of The Africa Center, highlighted the significance of the AADC's launch, emphasizing its role in facilitating interdisciplinary connections and discussions on African innovation. He noted that as New York City hosts the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the center will provide a crucial platform for exploring Africa's past, present, and future.

Professor Bennedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Afreximbank, praised the AADC as a pivotal step toward integrating the African Diaspora into Africa’s broader economic and socio-cultural framework. He stressed the importance of deepening socio-economic ties between Africa and its Diaspora to build a unified Global African Community.

In conjunction with the AADC launch, The Africa Center will open the exhibition Points of Resonance: Contemporary Photography in Africa on September 18, 2024. Curated by Heba Farid, Zein Khalifa, and Sarah Sarofim, the exhibition features the work of twelve artists from Africa and the Diaspora. Their photography addresses themes of colonialism, migration, and evolving identities, highlighting shared experiences and aspirations across the African continent and its diaspora.

The 2024 Future Africa Forum will include panel discussions, special guest remarks, and a celebration of African fashion, complemented by live music and African cuisine. The exhibition Points of Resonance will be open to the public for two months, offering a dynamic exploration of African and Diaspora identities.