Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr has been confirmed as the headline performer for the Conference Soirée at The Grand, capping the 28th Annual Harvard Business School Africa Business Conference, scheduled for March 27–28, 2026.
Organized by the Africa Business Club, this year’s gathering carries the theme “Owning Tomorrow: Africa’s Agency in a Shifting World.” While daytime panels and keynotes unfold on the HBS campus, the Soirée moves off-site to The Grand in Boston for an evening celebrating music, networking, and culture.
Starr, the voice behind global hits “Rush” and “Hot Body,” tops the bill as the premier Afrobeats draw. The conference poster features the star in a sparkling black mini with intricate silver embellishment, purple tights, and sky-high heels, paired with the event’s bold blue-orange motif and the tagline “Conference Soirée • The Grand.”
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Organizers describe the 28th edition as arriving at a pivotal moment—global conflict, shifting alliances, and rapid tech change have sidelined African priorities, yet the continent continues to push forward through cultural exports, regional cooperation, and economic resilience.
Programming will explore how leaders and creatives can shape tomorrow on their own terms, spotlighting sectors including fashion, film, digital innovation, and fintech.
Tickets are available via the official HBS Africa Business Club website and Eventbrite.
