2025 Ibrahim Governance Weekend

Africa’s economic potential is too often eclipsed not by reality, but by perceptions of instability, poverty, and perpetual risk. These narratives come at a staggering cost: up to $4.2 billion each year in extra interest payments on Africa’s loans, driven largely by the stereotypes that dominate global media coverage. That was the stark message at the 2025 Ibrahim Governance Weekend, where Africa No Filter and Africa Practice joined forces to host a pivotal panel titled: Perception vs Reality: The Drivers of Africa’s Risk Premium. Panelists,  Aurelien Mali, Senior Lead Sovereign Analyst at Moody’s; Georja Calvin-Smith, Journalist and France 24 anchor; Yvonne Ike, Managing Director and Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at Bank of America; and Moky Makura, Executive Director at Africa No Filter, explored how Africa can rewrite its narrative and reshape its economic future. From using better data and compelling storytelling to craft a more accurate image of the continent, to changing policy frameworks and unlocking domestic capital, the panel unpacked practical solutions for closing the financial gap driven by outdated perceptions.