Global business and diplomatic leaders are converging in New York this week as the 80th United Nations General Assembly kicks off, aiming to unlock more than $800 billion in investment opportunities across the Gulf of Guinea. The high-level roundtable, titled “Unlocking Energy, Oil & Gas, Minerals, Aviation, and Maritime Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea: A Roadmap for Peace and Security,” will explore the broader $3 trillion potential of Africa’s coastal economy.
Convened by Abuja-based think tank, The New Diplomat, in collaboration with the Gulf of Guinea Commission, the event brings together CEOs, ministers, governors, and industry stakeholders from over a dozen countries. It is organized alongside the UNGA session to provide a strategic platform for public-private partnerships in energy, infrastructure, aviation, maritime, and mineral sectors.
The forum will be chaired by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Nigerian foreign minister and UN under-secretary-general, known for his two terms as President of the UN Security Council. Co-host Ambassador Oma Djebah emphasized that the event aims to spotlight the Gulf of Guinea’s rich resources and create avenues for sustainable investment. “The forum will harness the region’s vast economic potential for the benefit of both public and private sector players,” Djebah said.
Co-host Ambassador Mohammed Bello Abioye outlined that the meeting will also focus on strengthening governance frameworks to improve investor confidence and open new channels for large-scale funding. Among other objectives, the forum plans to establish the Gulf of Guinea Business Council (GGBC) as a strategic network connecting government, business, and cross-sector collaborations across international jurisdictions.
Beyond investment, the one-day event is expected to catalyze the Blue Economy, advance intra-African business ecosystems, and support structured financing for energy, maritime, and mineral projects. It will also promote regional cooperation among the 19 Gulf of Guinea states and 38 African coastal nations, aligning with the AfCFTA Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goal 14, which focuses on life below water.
source: punch