Inspiring Conversations with Akindele Akinyemi of Global African Business Association

Today we’d like to introduce you to Akindele Akinyemi.

Hi Akindele, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
The Global African Business Association (GABA) is an economic development agency whose mission is to link and develop business development through global trade, investment, and education between African-Caribbean Diaspora and local urban communities within the United States. We started in 2014 as the National African Business Association (NABA) in Inkster, Michigan. We originally started as 4 people (two Nigerians and two Gambians) and built our platform out over the years with rapid membership and movement the first 18 months of the organization. 

We wanted to develop a business association that was tied in with local municipal economic development. Therefore, some of our members were appointed to the Inkster Downtown Development Authority, Inkster Economic Development Corporation/TIFA Board, and I was elected to the Leanna Hicks Public Library of Inkster where I led an effort to build a new library in the City of Inkster. 

As GABA continued to build capacity in Inkster with various initiatives, we begin to expand out into other areas such as Nebraska, Texas, North Carolina, and New York. 

We changed our name to the Global African Business Association in 2019, when we started to expand our reach in Africa. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are many challenges in operating an association like this because we are not your typical business association or economic agency. 

The main thing is helping people fully understand our mission. I cannot stress enough to our community that we are NOT a social justice organization or just work on local issues. We are an economic development agency that makes community, social, and economic impact between the U.S., Canada, and the African-Caribbean Diaspora. 

Another challenge is showing the public that we utilize local areas as municipal incubators of investment by trying to court foreign direct investment. 

Navigating cultural differences and breaking barriers down with one another can be a challenge as well with us. 

Coming into our GABA Network, trying to leverage our network for personal gain is ALWAYS a major challenge for us. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
GABA has a deep focus on building SYSTEMS around the synergy of the 4th Industrial Revolution on the business, government, and technology platform. 

For example, we give SMEs the technical assistance they need to grow their business. 

The global business aspect of GABA deals with relationship building with accredited organizations and governmental partners in both the public and private sector. This also includes real estate, educational policy, and import/export. GABA has a strong and extensive legislative network to assist us in public policy development as it pertains to the African-Caribbean Diaspora. 

The major platform of GABA centers around the technology sector. We specialize in blockchain development, venture capital, angel investment, data, digital marketing, cybersecurity, and smart communities. 

We leverage entire cities and villages in the United States to connect resources to the African-Caribbean Diaspora. 

80% of the GABA Network is made up of women. 54% are made up of millennials. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Today, GABA is focused on extending our network and net worth through partnerships and collaborations to gain additional capital for microlending to small and medium-sized businesses, ensuring that our region remains competitive. 

With the official launch of phase one of the GABA Marketplace Center to create a support system for African-Caribbean dry goods as well as African businesses investing in local urban communities in Michigan, we are also looking to join the mobility movement in Michigan as the world shifts to electric and next-generation vehicles. 

GABA plans to expand its Marketplace Center approach in mid-2024 by developing a new idea for African-Caribbean Food Markets that will use a new e-commerce platform to make it easier for patrons to shop and transport items. This strategy expands on our business development and intelligence efforts, broadens our talent solutions services for new enterprises, and solidifies our position as the best point of contact for local and international businesses. 

These methods, when combined, will establish GABA as the voice of our African-Caribbean clientele in Michigan’s policy discussions. 

Contact Info:

• Website: gabanetwork.com
• Instagram: gabanetwork
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GABANetwork
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-african-business-association/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true
• Twitter: the_gaba
• Youtube: GABA Network