Africa GCC Live Powered by Trace+: Where the Gulf Meets Africa, the Voice of Africa Took Center Stage

The event took place under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

The Africa Pavilion at AIM Congress 2026 has concluded a landmark edition, and Trace, Africa's leading Afro-Urban media and entertainment group, is proud to have stood at its center as official media and content partner alongside the Africa-GCC Council.

Over three days at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Africa Pavilion welcomed representatives from close to 10 African countries and a broad spectrum of stakeholders, private-sector companies, major corporations, Chambers of Commerce, public institutions and official government delegations, including Ministers and Heads of State. Attendance and engagement across several sectors exceeded last year's levels, confirming Africa's growing relevance within the AIM Congress ecosystem.

TRACE IN THE ROOM: THE PAVILION STUDIO

At the heart of the Pavilion stood the Trace Pavilion Studio, a dedicated, branded content studio capturing investor conversations, founder stories and policy dialogues as they unfolded, and turning them into content for Africa's youth and diaspora. Across the three days, the Studio hosted a series of fireside chats and interviews with prominent government leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and cultural figures, generating content distributed live and on-demand through Trace+, television, YouTube and Trace's social channels across Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

The content generated through the Studio contributed significantly to the visibility and narrative of the Africa Pavilion, establishing important media anchors for future editions and reinforcing a stronger, more coordinated Africa communication strategy, demonstrating the value of pairing institutional engagement with professional media and content creation to carry the Africa agenda beyond the physical boundaries of the Congress.

«What we captured in that studio over three days will outlast the Congress itself. We watched investors, founders and a Queen Consort sit down in the same room, and we made sure Africa's youth were watching too. That's the partnership we set out to build, and it's only the start.» Olivier Laouchez, Co-founder & CEO Trace

«There's an African proverb that says: wisdom is like a baobab tree, no single person can embrace it alone. The baobab is one of Africa's most enduring symbols; it has survived across generations because its roots are deep, its trunk is strong, and its branches reach outward in every direction. As we opened the first Africa Pavilion in the history of AIM Congress, we were planting such a tree, its roots African, its environment global, its branches extending towards the Gulf and the world. And its fruits must be projects, investments, partnerships and shared prosperity.» William Kwende, Board Director, Equiline Finance & Co-Chair, Africa-GCC Council

A LANDMARK AFRICA–UAE MOMENT

Among the most significant moments of the Congress was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UAE Minister of Tolerance and the Royal House of the Warri Kingdom, in the presence of His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, and Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, who travelled from Nigeria specifically for the occasion. Trace's Pavilion Studio captured the moment as part of its ongoing coverage of the Royal Session, "Unlocking Strategic Partnerships Through Monarchy for Africa's Development: The Atuwatse III Leadership Case Study," co-curated by Their Royal Majesties in partnership with the Africa-GCC Council and "We Elevate Africa."

The ceremony stood as a powerful expression of Africa-UAE relations extending beyond traditional economic cooperation, bringing together heritage, culture, leadership, tolerance and international partnership, and was widely regarded as one of the highlights of the entire Congress.

A HIGH-CALIBRE PROGRAMME

The Africa Stage delivered a comprehensive three-day programme structured around 14 curated sessions, opened by H.E. Abdullah Almusaibeeh, President of the Board of Directors of BADEA, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, as keynote speaker, who travelled from Saudi Arabia specifically to participate, in a strong endorsement of the platform's strategic relevance.

The programme spanned critical minerals, media and narrative sovereignty, entrepreneurship and innovation, art and heritage, tourism, investment corridors, healthcare, traditional leadership, development finance, industrialisation, financial ecosystems, AI literacy and women's economic participation, with Trace's Pavilion Studio on the ground throughout, translating each conversation into content for its Africa-wide audience.

The Congress also recognized the continent's next generation, with the presentation of the Africa Stage Ambassador for Youth and Entrepreneurship Recognition Award, celebrating leadership and initiatives empowering young African entrepreneurs and changemakers, a theme close to Trace's own mission through its "Advice to Youth" content series produced throughout the event.

The programme closed with "The People Behind the Vision," a special fireside chat bringing together the Founders, Co-Chairs and Strategic Partners of the Africa-GCC Council, captured live by the Trace Pavilion Studio.

«Dubai showed what happens when institutional credibility meets media reach. Ten African nations, a royal partnership sealed on camera, fourteen sessions of real dialogue, and every moment carried to an audience most conference rooms never touch. That is the model we now take into our next chapter.» Dr. M'Zée Fula Ngenge, Co-Founder of Africa-GCC Council

LOOKING AHEAD

The Africa Pavilion has evolved into more than an exhibition presence, a strategic platform connecting governments, institutions, businesses, investors, financial institutions, media and international partners, and generating a series of protocols, strategic agreements and MOUs facilitated and supported by the Africa GCC Council network.

Trace and the Africa-GCC Council are now building on this momentum, extending the partnership into a year-round content platform, with monthly and quarterly programming, including documentaries and investor spotlights, designed to sustain the Africa-GCC economic corridor narrative long after the Congress and to reach Trace's audience of 350 million people across the continent and its diaspora.

As the Africa-GCC Council puts it, the objective for future editions is clear: to move from visibility to influence, from dialogue to partnerships, and from partnerships to measurable impact.

Coming soon on Trace+, a behind-the-scenes documentary on the Africa Pavilion at AIM Congress 2026, taking audiences inside the Trace Studio and the Africa-GCC Council's work throughout the Congress. The documentary will be available exclusively on the Trace+ app.

Do Not Be Afraid, I Am With You

Since my word for the year 2023 is “with,” I’m sharing a chapter entitled “With You” from my devotional Favored Blessed Pierced: A Fresh Look at Mary of Nazareth  in preparation for the upcoming Advent season.

So the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid.”  Luke 1:30a

The angel’s preface to his commissioning, “Do not be afraid,” is the most commonly repeated command in the Bible—with good reason, for we are people of fear.

Last year, I finally admitted that I feel anxious when I travel. While I have the privilege of traversing the globe in my ministry to cross-cultural workers, I rarely travel alone. Still I worry. Will we make the flight? Will we figure out the train? What if we don’t have enough cash? Where do we get cash? Will we find our Airbnb? If we rent a car, will we know where to park? Where will we eat? What if we get lost?

 

Full story at Bible Org 

 

Tino Ngorima: The South African Actress Taking on the U.S. Stage and Screen

New York, NY — Tino Ngorima, a talented young actress from Kyalami, South Africa, is rapidly establishing herself in the U.S. film and theatre scene with an impressive

lineup of projects. At just 24 years old, she has recently completed filming her leading role in “Timeless Woman,” set for release later this year. This role challenged

her to embody the perspective of an African American woman navigating the complexities of an interracial relationship in contemporary America.

 

Tino’s ascent in the industry has been both steady and prolific. She honed her craft at two of the world’s leading acting schools: NYU Tisch in New York, where she

earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting in 2025, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, where she completed a full semester in 2024.

 

During her time at NYU Tisch, Tino showcased her talent as Love in “Everybody” at the Marilyn Monroe Theatre in New York and played Casca in “Julius Caesar” at the

GBS Theatre in London. Shortly thereafter, she was cast in an industry script reading at the Bush Theatre. Following her graduation, Tino made her Off-Broadway debut

as Lady Capulet/Lady Montague in an adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, which sold out at a New York theatre. She has since landed another role in an Off-Broadway play

titled Fairies, which she will reprise in 2027 due to popular demand.

 

Beyond acting, Tino is a trained dancer, having studied dance since her early years at an all-girls school in Johannesburg. She is also passionate about producing and is

currently in pre-production for her first short film, “Lover girl.” This project, in which she will star as the lead, explores female friendships and the complexities of

romantic relationships. “I am drawn to stories about women, particularly universal narratives that resonate across cultures,” she shares.

 

Tino credits her parents for instilling a love for academics and a deep appreciation for pop culture. “They encouraged me to watch a variety of adult comedies, which

helped me develop a sense of humour and connect with audiences. I am particularly grateful to my South African school teacher who took a chance on me by offering me

a leading role in a school production. That experience solidified my desire to pursue acting as a career,” she reflects.

 

Tino dreams of working on cross-continental projects and envisions more films being made in South Africa with local talent collaborating with international crews. “South

Africa is home to some of the best talent in the world, and I want to contribute to the recognition and celebration of African storytellers,” she concludes.

Currently, Tino is engaged in a stage reading of the play “Good Mothers,” a piece being workshopped for an eventual premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival

in Scotland.

The Great Tribulation or Persecution

Over the last eight studies, we have looked at Scriptures that indicate that God will allow His people to go through a time of persecution, distress, or tribulation in the last days. God's goal in letting His people go through trials and tests is to bring forth a pure radiant bride for His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul the apostle writes about this goal for the Bride of Christ, saying that Christ is at work in the church “to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27). Many of us are not yet at a place in our lives where the stains and wrinkles of our character have been removed. We are a work in process, being transformed into the likeness of Christ:

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Unfortunately, this transformative work of the Spirit doesn’t happen when life is going wonderfully, but when things start getting hot in the furnace of life. God allows times of testing for our faith. The end goal of tribulation is character building. Paul the apostle writes, “Tribulation [Gk. thlipsis] works patience” (Romans 5:3 KJV). The NIV translates thlipsis as suffering and that it produces perseverance. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering [thlipsis] produces perseverance” (Romans 5:3 NIV). We don't get out of tribulation; we become changed through our correct responses in the middle of character-transforming difficulties.

Full story at Group Bible Study

The power of Grace

The other day I noticed a change in me. It’s funny when that happens. When you watch yourself respond differently than you expect—like you’re looking at someone else.

I noticed while listening to a powerful song I hadn’t heard in years—Steeple Song by Don Francisco. Right away, I knew what caused the change—grace.

I didn’t understand grace back when the song came out. I understood pain. Back then, I used the song as a rant. But the other day, I noticed my rant had changed to something good.

By Danielle Bernock

Full story at Danielle Bernock

God Is Near To The Brokenhearted

There is no inner experience you’ll ever have that is not expressed in the Psalms in some way. And we’re given the way to walk through them all. We’re shown how to get back up from our lowest moments, to sing again, and rejoice again. In Psalms, God turns our mourning into dancing. For me, it has been my book of spiritual and psychological health. It directs me back to the goodness of God, the love of God, and restores my confidence in God.

Verse 19 from this Psalm says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers Him out of them all.”  That promise has sustained me through a lot of problems, it’s restored my joy and courage time and time again.

The Psalms direct us to a life of praise and joy, but they also talk about our lowest feelings, the times we feel most broken or devastated. And they promise us that God comes near to us, and helps us ESPECIALLY in those times.

By Reid Strahan

Full story at Realifeakeny