Our Story
Africa in the World
A Festival of Hearts and Minds
Africa exists in the world. Africa is not one color. Africa is not even one place.
Dele Olojede
Continuously moving the needle forward in Africa
Africa In the World brings the world’s finest innovators, thinkers and doers together with top leaders, policy-makers and decision-makers. Our purpose is to platform invigorating ideas so that our esteemed guests share, learn and become inspired. Our unique invitation-only format and design of intentionally-curated, often unusual conversations aims to spark connections, engagements and actions that can bring fresh changes and sustainable solutions to African people, whether living across this vast, diverse continent or as part of the African diaspora across the globe.
Syncopation of Ideas, Harmonics of Conversations
The inaugural Africa In the World festival was held in 2019 at the Spier Wine Farm in the historic, picturesque Cape Winelands town of Stellenbosch, with 150 invited guests and 60 speakers representing 19 countries. Post-pandemic, the festival returned to Stellenbosch in 2023 with refinements and renewed purpose and vigour. In 2024, our third festival built on the success and momentum of its predecessors, and in 2025, we return to Spier Wine Farm for our fourth edition.
Africa In the World is interested in all fields of human endeavour, from farmer-led regenerative agriculture projects and coding education for rural children to the urgencies and possibilities of an energy transition, the complexities of governance, and global challenges like the coming AI storm. Music, art and literature are infused throughout the 4-day Africa in the World experience as the festival aims for the perfect integration of human hearts and minds.
Meet Africa In the World founder, Dele Olojede
Dele Olojede is the founder and host of Africa In the World. A writer, publisher and editor over four decades, he has been a correspondent stationed in various global centers, including New York, Johannesburg and Beijing, mainly for New York Newsday. During his career he reported from more than 75 countries spread across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and North America. He also published an investigative newspaper in Lagos. Dele is a moderator of the Aspen Institute leadership seminars for the Aspen Global Leadership Network, of which he is also a fellow. He serves on various boards, including EARTH University, in Costa Rica, Alitheia Capital, an African-focused private equity fund, and on the selection board of the Aurora Prize, which awards $1 million every year to a person or organization doing exceptional humanitarian work worldwide. Dele was the first African-born winner of the Pulitzer Prize, journalism’s highest honor, for his writing on the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide. He is a frequent writer and commentator on public affairs. He commutes between Stellenbosch and New York City.
Meet the Team
Nicole Biondi | Festival Director
Nicole Biondi is a South African strategist, facilitator, and curator working at the intersection of systems change, human flourishing, and ecological resilience. Her work spans early childhood development, climate resilience, leadership development, and social innovation across Africa and globally. Nicole designs and facilitates immersive gatherings, strategic processes, and learning journeys that help leaders and organisations navigate complexity, strengthen collaboration, and imagine more care-full futures. She is the founder of The Wayfindery and curator of Think Beyond, a global leadership retreat series exploring renewal, systems change, and the future of families and communities. Nicole serves on several non-profit and advisory boards and is known for her ability to connect ideas, people, and disciplines in ways that unlock new possibilities for collective action.