eThekwini to host the transformative ReSURGEnce Conference 2025

The city of Durban is set to host the ReSURGEnce Conference 2025 from  September 20 to 24 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

This year’s edition promises to be even bigger and more impactful than the groundbreaking 2024 event.

The theme adopted for 2025 is A Thicker Slice of the Economic Pie: Access. Connect.Thrive

A comprehensive exhibition will kickstart the two-day conference, focusing on business-to-business engagements designed to facilitate trade and investment opportunities across a variety of sectors.

Entrepreneurs, investors, clergy, creatives, and change makers from across Africa, the US, the Caribbean, and the wider global diaspora will converge in Durban for the gathering aimed at fostering economic empowerment and collaboration.

During last week's virtual launch, global thought leaders shared a unified and pressing message that the time for action was now.

Rev. Dennis Dillon, the United States convener, articulated that ReSURGEnce was “more than a conference”. He described it as “a movement with practical solutions” geared towards building lasting cross-continental partnerships that result in tangible economic transformation.

eThekwini's City Manager, Musa Mbhele, said that Durban was opened for business and investment, highlighting the city's readiness to attract attention on a global scale.

Mbhele emphasised the existence of over R100 billion worth of catalytic infrastructure projects currently open for investment, including significant initiatives such as the Automotive Supplier Park, Durban’s dual airport development, the Cornubia and Westown mixed-use precincts, and a proposed light rail linking the Central Business District to Umhlanga to ease congestion.

He mentioned the success of the Economic Development Incentive Policy, which has already attracted R18 billion in investment across 54 approved projects, and provided over R80 million in annual rates rebates.

“Durban is fast becoming one of South Africa’s most investor-friendly cities,” he stated.

“The launch was also featured powerful voices and testimonials. Melba Wilson, a celebrated chef, entrepreneur, and founder of Melba’s in New York, referred to reSURGEnce as “a game-changer.”

Mbhele said their collaboration with Umhlanga’s Mushroom Lounge and Café was a direct outcome of networking formed during last year’s event.

“Our network is our net worth,” he said.

Representing the Africa Rising Foundation, Ndaba Mandela emphasised the collective responsibility of Africans to share in the continent's economic benefits, reiterating the spirit of unity and collaboration that ReSURGEnce embodied.

“As Africans, we share a common destiny,” he asserted.

Other global leaders expected to speak at the conference includes, Dr. George Fraser, President of FraserNet Inc. and New York Times bestselling author; New York State Senator James Sanders, Chair of Senate Banking; Clayton Banks, Founder of Harlem Silicon Valley; Achumboro Ataanda, CEO of Uplift Communities and angel investor; and Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights activist and founder of the National Action Network, are set to attract considerable attention.

DAILY NEWS