For decades, Pan-Africanism gave Africa a powerful vision of unity, dignity and self-determination. But as leaders, entrepreneurs and young innovators gather in Rwanda's capital, Kigali, a new question is taking center stage: How can that ambition be translated into practical economic transformation?

That is the central conversation at the Africa Mindset Reset Forum, being held in Kigali.

Convened by the African School of Governance (ASG), the inaugural forum is bringing together about 1,000 leaders from government, business, academia, civil society, media and youth movements. Organizers say approximately 80% of participants are young and emerging leaders.

Interest in the forum has extended well beyond the venue, with the wider conversation continuing online as the forum is livestreamed in five languages.

From Pan-Africanism to Meta-Africanism

The forum is centered on the theme "From Pan-Africanism to Meta-Africanism", a concept that seeks to build on the political and cultural foundations of Pan-Africanism while focusing more strongly on systems, economic integration and execution.

Supporters of the concept argue that Africa's barriers run deeper than economics and politics. They are also mental, cultural and institutional.

Pan-Africanism gave Africans a language of dignity, solidarity and liberation. Meta-Africanism, they argue, should carry that legacy forward, from solidarity to systems, resistance to value creation, identity to capability, and aspiration to disciplined execution.

"The thinking behind Meta-Africanism is not just a rejection of Pan-Africanism. It is an attempt to change that ambition into a transformation journey to make Africa an economic power," Rwandan President Paul Kagame said. 

Turning continental unity into economic integration

A major focus of the discussions is how Africa can turn political commitments to integration into practical economic opportunities.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is seen as a key framework for expanding trade between African countries and creating a larger single market.

"I'm happy that that step was made for Africa to come together and not only think about but to put a framework in which we are going to realize broader trade within the continent and trading with each other through and guided by the AfCFTA," Kagame added.

Participants are also looking at visa openness, open skies, cheaper air travel and freer movement of people as ways of reducing the barriers that continue to divide African economies.