The Africa Soft Power Series, an initiative of The Africa Soft Power Project, brings together some of the most prominent thought leaders and pioneers, focused and passionate about Africa. Its inaugural edition, held in 2020, was a high-level summit of over 50 global thought leaders in crucial dialogues on how Africa can harness its soft power effectively to advance strategic interests and shape global conversations.

For the past five years, May 5th has been recognized as African World Heritage Day by UNESCO. Similarly, May 25th has been recognized as Africa Day by the African Union. Like you, we agree that two days in one month is not enough to honour and engage the rich history, culture, and legacy of Africa, Africans, and African descendants in the diaspora. We believe it is time to take this a step further and establish the celebration of Africa’s rich history, culture, and dynamic contemporary industries within wider global conversations. Within this, we invite the African diaspora and global community to join the celebration of May as “Africa Month”.

This year, our flagship Africa Soft Power event was themed The Bridge: The Past, The Present, The Future. The Bridge was a month-long, high-level, global gathering of thought leaders, influencers and pioneers engaging in a longer and broader conversation on Africa’s creative power, knowledge economy, and how these assets can strengthen ties between the continent, diaspora community, and the wider world.

Beginning May 5th and ending May 25th, the Series continued along the same premise as our inaugural edition and included sessions on film, music, technology, fashion, sports, etc, and of course economic impact.