When it comes to cultivating connections for the Black diaspora, Abdul Karim Abdullah is dedicated to highlighting the values and richness of Africa and bringing awareness to the U.S.

Abdullah is the founder and chief executive officer of the Culture Management Group (CMG). CMG is the parent company of the recognized Afrofuture Festival, previously known as the Afrochella Festival, which is an annual event that takes place in Accra, Ghana. With his dedication to celebrating the culture through African music, food, art, and fashion, Abdullah has made a huge impact on the country and the continent as a whole. In 2022, Abdullah and the CMG team were officially appointed as Goodwill Ambassadors to Ghana. This position solidifies Abdullah’s leadership role and provides an opportunity to further support the tourism industry and drive increased engagement.

During the AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 on Nov. 15, Abdullah discussed the significance of investing during his fireside chat “Why Africa? Investments That Empower Innovation” and shared his views on how to increase building infrastructure for the continent as a whole. In an exclusive interview with AFROTECH™, Abdullah shared how running a business focused on African heritage has enabled him to prioritize the importance of community. He also revealed that his family has been his greatest inspiration, playing a pivotal role in shaping him into the businessman he is today.

“As a first-generation advocate on the continent, here in America, my parents have been my biggest inspiration. They didn’t directly push me in this direction, but all that they went through to give me the opportunities that I’m afforded allowed me to give them grace and see the importance of entrepreneurship.”

With a bachelor’s degree in psychology and biology from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in public health from CUNY Hunter College, Abdullah used his scientific curiosity and tapped into his creative side. This led to the launch of the first Afrochella Festival in 2017. Since then, Abdullah has created more avenues for others to connect to Africa in various ways.  While events have played a significant role in boosting Ghana’s economy and encouraging brands to invest more in Africa, Abdullah has been particularly focused on prioritizing education.

“I see that education is probably still one of the biggest barriers to reconnecting with the continent. A lot of people just don’t have that understanding of Africa or each other as Black people. So, we need more storytelling around black stories. Not just African-American black stories but also African stories, Caribbean stories, etc. We need everybody to familiarize with each other and really build that bridge to togetherness. I think once we reach that togetherness, we’ll be able to be unified more in general across the world.”

“On top of education, the more awareness we bring to people who look like us, the more opportunities we can create for others. For example, from a metrics standpoint, there are white companies and Asian companies invested in the continent. We need more Black-owned companies to be invested as well. If not a business, we need more creative ways for Black people to take advantage of exploring the diaspora first-hand. Like with Afrotech, Afrotech has a partnership with Expedia. More people want to travel and experience things. So, that partnership is a great way to showcase and lower those barriers to access to the continent. Overall, education and empowering people to experience culture on an elevated scale will take us as a collective to a different level.”

Over the last several years, Africa has seen more overseas travelers visit the continent. Per Statista, around 5.1 million tourists arrived in Africa in 2022, which was a huge increase after the pandemic. There has been growing interest in exploring Africa, signaling to companies that the continent presents a valuable opportunity for investment. According to the the International Financial Corporation (IFC), it has invested over $60 million in African businesses and financial institutions through private sector investments to date.

Tech companies such as Uber, Microsoft, and Google have also taken advantage of the continent’s investment ventures, as stated by international staffing agency CA Global. However, Abdullah emphasizes the importance of companies understanding that successfully investing in a new region, particularly in African markets, may require adapting strategies and business approaches to align with local dynamics

“We need to create African solutions for African problems. We need to meet African businesses at a different place than you would have to with consumers in Europe, Asia, or America. Companies need to frame their mindset to think that way. I love that many companies that have taken those risks have put themselves in a position to meet Africa’s areas. But there needs to be a different approach for Africa and not assume that worldly solution will work on the continent.”

Whether a cultural event or a business venture, Abdullah wants more people to see Africa’s potential and its facets. Engaging with the diaspora can empower us to achieve upward mobility as a community, provided we have access to the right resources, knowledge, and a liberated mindset.

Looking to attend AFROTECH™ Conference 2025? Secure your early bird tickets now — Oct. 27 – 31, 2025, in Houston, TX.