Africa's next chapter is being written right now - and this conversation reveals who gets a seat at the table. With the African Development Summit approaching, the panel lays out why the continent must stop depending on outside powers and start building its own future through leadership, investment, and action.Join co-host Gedeon Baleke, Mamadou Saliou Diallo, and host. Olanrewaju Jay Adewole

as they unpack the African Coalition for Development's mission to turn ideas into implementation. This is not framed as another summit or another round of speeches. It's a push to build lasting relationships between the diaspora, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and grassroots leaders who are ready to move from conversation to concrete progress.

You'll discover:

• Why the biggest development issue facing Africa is jobs, and how industrialization and private-sector growth fit into the solution
• How the summit aims to bridge the gap between the continent and the diaspora by connecting capital, mentorship, and credible opportunities
• What "Only Africa can save Africa" means in practice, from institution-building to value addition and resource transformation
• Why the organizers see the diaspora as more than remittance senders, and instead as partners, builders, and leaders
• How sessions on youth leadership, diplomacy, the next economy, sustainable development, and real-world implementation are designed to produce follow-through, not just talk

The conversation also spotlights the summit's high-level lineup and the broader urgency behind it: Africa is rich in talent, resources, and ideas, but the missing piece is coordination, commitment, and execution. That is the real stakes of this episode - whether Africa continues reacting to the world, or starts shaping it on its own terms.If you care about African development, diaspora engagement, entrepreneurship, or the future of leadership across the continent, this episode gives you the vision behind the movement and the invitation to join it.

Mentioned speakers:

Jay Adewole

- host of Pan-African Half Hour and president of the African Coalition for Development, focused on turning the summit into a practical engine for partnership and implementation

Gedeon Baleke

- co-host and general secretary of the African Coalition for Development, who frames the summit around jobs, industrialization, youth leadership, and pragmatic change

• Mamadou Saliou Diallo

- president of the Guinean community in New York, who emphasizes the bridge between the diaspora and the motherland and the need for Africans to build their own foundation

Most conversations about Africa focus on problems—this episode flips the script, showcasing a visionary leader shaping Africa's future through passion, innovation, and cultural pride. Marcel Lashley-Kabore shares her inspiring journey from Trinidad and Tobago to becoming a five-time Emmy-winning producer, wellness pioneer, and advocate for African youth and entrepreneurship. Discover how her dedication to storytelling, education, and community empowerment fuels a movement that’s transforming narratives and building bridges across continents.You’ll learn about the power of experiential learning in changing perceptions of Africa, the importance of collaboration within the diaspora, and practical strategies for young women and men eager to impact the continent. Marcel reveals her bold vision to bring science-based wellness like Pilates to West Africa, breaking stereotypes that wellness is only for the elite. She underscores that Africa’s most valuable asset is its young, vibrant population—and that with intentional effort and shared purpose, the continent can unlock its immense potential.This episode dives into her initiatives like Girls with Knowledge, a global platform empowering youth—especially girls—to reach their full potential through education, mentorship, and storytelling. Marcel emphasizes the importance of authentic narratives and experiential connection in shaping global perceptions of Africa. She advocates for Pan-African unity and collaboration, urging diaspora Africans to come together with passion and purpose to rewrite Africa’s story for future generations.Why does this matter? Because Africa’s destiny is deeply intertwined with how it is understood and represented worldwide. Marcel’s journey exemplifies the transformational power of leadership rooted in love, purpose, and resilience. Whether you’re a young entrepreneur, educator, or global citizen, this episode offers strategic insight and inspiration to catalyze change— Starting with how we tell our stories and invest in our communities.Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and motivated to contribute to Africa’s thriving future. Perfect for change-makers committed to cultural empowerment and community-driven growth—hit play and join the movement to elevate Africa’s voice on the world stage.

In this episode of Pan African Half Hour, Jay Adewole, President of the African Coalition for Development, joins his colleague and Vice President for a timely and necessary conversation on the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Together, they explore what these attacks mean for African unity, why no African should be treated as a foreigner on African soil, and how colonial borders, economic pressure, misinformation, and weak continental cooperation continue to divide Africans from one another.

The episode also reflects on the historic support many African nations gave South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle and asks a difficult question: How did a continent that once stood together for freedom arrive at a place where Africans are attacking Africans?

This is a call for truth, accountability, leadership, and a renewed Pan-African vision for the future.

Featuring:
Jay Adewole, President, African Coalition for Development
Vice President, African Coalition for Development

Key Themes:
Xenophobia, South Africa, African unity, Pan-Africanism, colonial borders, leadership, migration, economic justice, and continental cooperation.