Chude Jideonwo, Chairman of HBC Holdings, will be speaking at the 2026 African Philanthropy Forum (APF) Conference, scheduled to take place in Cape Town, South Africa, from October 25–27. Jideonwo will participate in Plenary 4, titled “Narratives & Africa’s Soft Power,” which will examine the role of storytelling, entertainment and cultural influence in shaping global perceptions of Africa, advancing social causes and mobilising resources for development.
Themed “Bridge the Divide; Reimagine the Future,” the conference will convene philanthropists, business leaders, changemakers and cultural influencers from across Africa and the Global South to examine how philanthropy can address inequality, mobilise capital and advance sustainable solutions to the continent’s development priorities. Jideonwo will join a distinguished panel comprising Siya Kolisi, Black Coffee, Vanessa Moungar and Julia Quinn, with Vimbai Masiyiwa serving as moderator. The session will explore how narrative influence and cultural engagement can contribute to Africa’s global positioning and strengthen support for its social and economic priorities.
As Chairman of HBC Holdings, Jideonwo brings experience spanning media, communications, storytelling and enterprise development. His work across these sectors has examined the relationship between public narratives, cultural influence and social impact, including initiatives focused on supporting African creators and developing the continent’s creative economy. His participation at APF 2026 will contribute to broader discussions on the strategic role of African storytelling in shaping international engagement, strengthening the continent’s soft power and mobilising resources towards shared development objectives.