Global citizen ignites Africa’s creative economic revolution

Ifeoma Chuks-Adizue, Managing Director, Africa at Global Citizen, is at the forefront of a groundbreaking initiative to harness the power of music and creativity to drive economic growth and development in Africa. With a mission to end extreme poverty, Global Citizen’s Africa arm is focused on amplifying the continent’s visibility and influence in global development. Through the flagship Move Afrika program, Ifeoma aims to create a thriving ecosystem that showcases Africa’s creative talent, fosters entrepreneurship, and injects millions into local economies.

With a background in leadership and a passion for community-led development, Ifeoma is well-positioned to drive tangible outcomes for African youth and unlock opportunities in infrastructure, training, and policy reform. As Global Citizen expands its footprint in Africa, Ifeoma’s vision for a globally competitive live event destination is set to become a reality, injecting new energy and economic vibrancy into the continent. With a focus on partnerships and private sector engagement, Move Afrika is poised to revolutionize Africa’s creative economy and create a brighter future for its people. By leveraging music and creativity, Global Citizen is making a lasting impact.

 Move Afrika isn’t just a concert series – it’s a catalyst for jobs, training, entrepreneurship, tourism, and investment

What drives your passion for leading Global Citizen’s Africa initiatives, and what are your key goals for the region?

Global Citizen’s mission to end extreme poverty resonated with me, and I’m drawn to its potential for collective impact. As Managing Director for Africa, my priorities are on the continent’s visibility and influence in global development. My focus will be on driving tangible outcomes, especially for youth, through initiatives like Move Afrika and cross-sector partnerships. Ultimately, I aim to demonstrate that community-led development is key to meaningful progress.

How will you use your leadership experience to advance Global Citizen’s mission in Africa?

As a leader, I operate with the mindset that failure isn’t an option. This drives my work at Global Citizen, where we’re building a bold and complex initiative across multiple markets and stakeholders. My experience has prepared me to navigate the strategic, cultural, and relational demands of this role. My focus is clear: to develop Move Afrika into a world-class Pan-African music touring circuit that creates jobs and unlocks opportunities in infrastructure, youth training, enterprise, and policy reform. I believe the private sector is a key partner in this effort, and I’m well-positioned to engage them as co-builders of Africa’s creative economy.

What’s the potential economic impact of Move Afrika in Africa?

Move Afrika aims to unlock Africa’s creative and economic potential through music. By creating a multi-country touring circuit, we’re not just delivering concerts, but driving jobs, training, entrepreneurship, tourism, and investment. Imagine the economic boost of events like Detty December in Lagos happening multiple times a year, in several cities. Our goal is to build a thriving ecosystem that attracts international artists, local promoters, and festivals, injecting millions into local economies and creating thousands of jobs. By replicating successful models like Edinburgh and Nashville, we envision a future where Africa’s creative industry is a major driver of economic growth and wealth creation.

How will Move Afrika create jobs and support entrepreneurship in Africa?

Move Afrika drives job creation and entrepreneurship by activating a full-scale ecosystem across entertainment, logistics, and tech. We’ve created over 2,500 jobs in Kigali and Lagos, with a focus on local crew and vendors. Through training, mentorship, and repeat engagement, we’re building long-term opportunities for African talent and entrepreneurs. Our initiatives, such as the Move Afrika creative fellows program, provide skills development and funding opportunities, empowering the next generation of creatives and entrepreneurs across the continent.

How can the private sector contribute to Move Afrika and Global Citizen’s goals in Africa?

The private sector is crucial to our success, bringing capital, innovation, and networks to unlock progress. We invite businesses to invest in Africa’s entertainment and culture industry through Move Afrika, creating opportunities for venue development, talent funding, and ecosystem growth. By partnering with us, companies can drive commercial returns while generating meaningful impact, co-creating campaigns that connect with audiences and align with their priorities.

How will you build partnerships to advance Global Citizen’s mission in Africa?

Building partnerships requires clarity, alignment, and shared ownership. I prioritize listening to stakeholders’ goals and co-creating collaborative paths that deliver impact for all. With governments, we align with national priorities and work together on policy reforms and co-investment. With businesses, we focus on partnerships that drive commercial returns and social impact. With philanthropic institutions, we seek funding for catalytic programs that empower African talent and drive economic transformation. By uniting every sector, we can create scalable change and move Africa forward together.

What collaboration opportunities exist between Global Citizen and other organizations tackling poverty and inequality in Africa?

We see vast opportunities for collaboration with African NGOs doing transformative work on the ground. By leveraging our platform, events, and campaigns, we can amplify their impact, drive resources, and co-create solutions. Collaborations strengthen our advocacy, ensure inclusive and sustainable impact, and promote community ownership. For example, during Move Afrika, we partnered with local organizations to drive citizen-led advocacy for strengthened health systems, hosting events like the Stride for HER Rights Walkathon in Lagos. By working together, we can achieve more and create lasting change.

How will you promote women’s empowerment in Global Citizen’s Africa initiatives?

For me, women’s empowerment is personal and integral to our work. We’ve already embedded this belief in our team and operations. To sustain and scale this impact, I’ll focus on protecting our inclusive culture, driving advocacy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, and ensuring women are represented in leadership, programs, and vendor sourcing. By positioning capable women to lead across all layers of our work, we’ll continue to drive meaningful change.

What initiatives will you launch to support women’s economic empowerment in Africa?

Our 5-year strategy at Global Citizen aims to impact 100 million women and girls, focusing on health equity, economic empowerment, and social justice. We’ve laid the groundwork through campaigns and partnerships addressing health disparities. Moving forward, we’ll prioritize regulatory reform, building inclusive financial systems, and unlocking funding for female entrepreneurs. We’ll also integrate efforts, linking financial access with education, healthcare, and legal rights. Collaborations with finance, development, and philanthropic partners are key to driving generational economic mobility for low-income women.

What’s Global Citizen’s strategy for Africa, and how does it fit into the organization’s global mission?

Our Africa strategy aligns with our global mission to end extreme poverty through action and systemic change. We focus on job creation, gender equity, health access, and inclusive economic growth, led by our flagship program, Move Afrika. By centering African voices and driving local investment, we forge cross-sector partnerships to deliver lasting impact and ensure Africa leads in shaping the global development agenda.

How will Global Citizen adapt its approach to address Africa’s diverse regional challenges and opportunities?

We follow a continental strategy with local adaptations. We work with local partners to tailor our programs to each country’s unique needs. For example, in Rwanda, we focus on upskilling youth for the MICE sector, while in Lagos, we support small business growth and innovation. This flexible approach enables us to drive pan-African impact while delivering meaningful outcomes in specific markets.

What role does advocacy play in driving progress on poverty and inequality in Africa?

Advocacy is a crucial driver of progress, shining a light on key issues, holding institutions accountable, and turning public awareness into political will. We’ve seen its impact through campaigns like ‘Power Our Planet,’ which championed debt pause clauses and secured funding for critical development projects. Advocacy has delivered local wins, such as removing VAT on sanitary pads in South Africa. By elevating overlooked issues and amplifying community voices, advocacy drives systemic changes needed to fight poverty and inequality at scale, making it essential for Africa’s progress.

What message do you want to convey to Global Citizen’s supporters and partners in Africa?

To our supporters and partners, I express gratitude and excitement for what’s to come. We’ll continue building Move Afrika into a Pan-African movement, amplifying youth voices, and unlocking economic opportunities. With your support and partnerships, we’ll scale this vision country by country. You can expect focused, collaborative leadership driven by action, accountability, and a deep belief in Africa’s potential, with a goal of delivering lasting progress on poverty, equity, and opportunity.