Dr. Nizar Chaari: “Human intelligence is Africa’s true gold, far surpassing the riches of our soil.

RABAT, Morocco — January 23, 2026 — At a high-level gathering in Rabat, EPIK Leaders and the RDC Stratégie Think Tank successfully concluded the inaugural EPIK 100 ceremony, presenting a bold new roadmap for African development. The event, held during the Leopard Business Village expo, celebrated 100 of the continent’s most promising young changemakers, reframing the narrative of African growth from resource extraction to talent cultivation.

Dr. Nizar Chaari, the visionary founder of EPIK Leaders, delivered a compelling argument for a “mental decolonization” of African success. In his address, he asserted that the future of the continent lies in its intellectual sovereignty.

“For too long, the world has looked at Africa for what lies beneath its feet. With EPIK 100, we are forcing the world to look at what stands before its eyes: a generation of ‘Eagles’ ready to innovate, lead, and unite,” said Dr. Chaari.

Strengthening the Morocco-DRC Axis The ceremony served as a strategic intersection for South-South cooperation. Supported by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s diplomatic efforts in Morocco, the event featured panels on sustainable investment and economic bridges. Bodom Atungulu, President of RDC Stratégie, noted that the collaboration creates a “hybrid space” where culture and sport (CAN 2025) serve as catalysts for serious economic dialogue.

A Scalable Model for Growth Unlike traditional award ceremonies, EPIK 100 is designed as a permanent pan-African infrastructure. The cohort, selected for their work in high-impact fields such as health-tech and environmental sustainability, will now enter a specialized ecosystem of mentorship and investment opportunities.

Strategic Takeaways:

• The Power of 100: A hand-picked elite from 34 countries, designed to act as a “multiplier effect” for development in their respective regions.
• Institutional Support: Key business leaders, including representatives from CGEM (Morocco’s Business Federation), highlighted the event as a testament to the stability and attractiveness of the Moroccan-African business corridor.
• Youth as Stakeholders: With a 30% female ratio and an average age of 23, the initiative places the “Millennial and Gen Z” demographics at the center of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ambitions.

“EPIK 100 is the beginning of a new aristocracy of merit,” concluded Dr. Chaari. “We are building a network of leaders who do not wait for permission to transform their communities.”

About the Partners

• EPIK Leaders: A fast-growing pan-African association with 50,000+ members, dedicated to leadership training and social innovation.
• RDC Stratégie: A premier Think Tank focused on the Republic of the Congo’s strategic influence and bilateral partnerships.