By 2050, Africa is projected to be home to 13 of the world's 20 largest cities and will have the youngest population globally. This demographic and urban growth offers not just challenges, but enormous potential – especially if the continent can chart its own sustainable development path. Instead of repeating old models of development rooted in dependence and extraction, a new vision is emerging, on its own terms.

The concept of Afrotopia put forward by Felwine Sarr challenges outdated narratives. Through keynotes, panel discussions, and project showcases, several shifts will be explored during this conference: from deficit to potential, from aid to investment and from imposed solutions to self-determined futures.