The Brand Africa™ Initiative

"China has an agenda in Africa. India has an agenda in Africa. The US has an agenda in Africa. We are naïve to think that the people that come into our countries, even the ones who are here to help us, have no agenda. Everyone has an agenda. What is Africa’s agenda?" Jay Naidoo, Chairman of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Brand Africa FORUM 2010

Brand Africa™ is an independent non-political and nonpartisan pan-African initiative for Africa by Africa dedicated to unlocking Africa’s potential and inspiring the continent’s growth, reputation and competitiveness and standing in the world.

Brand Africa™ is a brand-driven approach which recognizes that, in the 21st century, brands are an asset and a key driver of value for nations, institutions and individuals alike. Properly managed and leveraged, a brand-driven approach can be a catalyst for a coherent, distinctive and sustainable image and reputation of Africa collectively and of individual sovereign states.

Brand Africa™ focuses on Africa not as a topic within a broader agenda, but as the agenda. It engages and attracts broad multi-stakeholder participants and audiences of African and global decision-makers, thought leaders and influencers across academia, business, civil society and government and related agencies who come together to collaborate on the agenda and plan of action and to celebrate ideas that move Africa forward.

Brand Africa™ is an African initiative for Africa by Africa and supporters of Africa globally.

Brand Africa™ was conceived by Thebe Ikalafeng initially as a doctoral concept and ultimately as an initiative to bring together diverse African stakeholders dedicated to shaping the future of Africa. After the first two years as a project of The Brand Leadership Academy, Brand Africa™ is now being converted to an independent non-profit initiative with an independent Board of Directors and an ad-hoc Brand Africa Advisory Council comprised of a diverse group of African and global thought leaders, influencers and decision makers across the public and private sector, academia, business and civil society who are passionate about improving the stature of Africa in Africa and the world. The Board of Directors and Council are responsible for inspiring exemplary and worldclass institutional governance and to shape its vision and values, relevance, sustainability and agenda for creating a better Africa. Brand Africa™ is organised by The Brand Leadership Academy. Brand Africa™ and all its related initiatives are registered and/or protected trademarks.