Key takeaways
- Dates: The African Economic Conference convened from July 10 to 12, 2026, in Abidjan.
- Organizers: Co-hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
- Launch: The African Chief Economists’ Network (ACE-Network) was established on July 12.
- Participation: Over 4,000 virtual attendees joined across the three days.
The African Development Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, served as the venue for the 2026 African Economic Conference (AEC), held from July 10 to 12. This significant gathering was jointly organized by the AfDB, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The conference explored the crucial theme of “Strengthening Africa’s Geopolitical Action and Trade Resilience in a Multipolar World.”
Souleymane Diarrassouba, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Planning and Development, formally inaugurated the conference proceedings. Over 4,000 participants engaged with the discussions virtually throughout the event.
African chief economists’ network takes shape
A major outcome of the conference was the establishment of the African Chief Economists’ Network (ACE-Network), officially announced on the final day. This innovative platform is designed to synchronize economic expertise across the continent and harmonize public policies in response to global shocks.
The network aims to foster the development of tailored solutions to the complex challenges Africa faces amid increasing geopolitical fragmentation. Professor Kevin Urama, Vice-President of the AfDB, emphasized the imperative for the continent to bolster its knowledge systems to exert greater influence within the global financial order.
From dependence to strategic autonomy for Africa
Speakers frequently highlighted the critical need for Africa to process its resources locally rather than exporting raw materials. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Director of the UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa, articulated that Africa’s inherent economic strength represents its most potent geopolitical leverage.
Raymond Gilpin, Chief Economist for UNDP Africa, cautioned that global uncertainties would continue to test the resilience of African institutions. Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Senior Vice-President of the AfDB Group, urged attendees to translate the conference’s recommendations into tangible decisions and concrete actions.
Abidjan’s growing influence in west africa
Abidjan has proudly hosted the African Development Bank’s headquarters since 2014, following its return from Tunis, where the institution was temporarily located during Côte d’Ivoire’s period of crisis. The Ivorian economic capital has solidified its position as a vital diplomatic and financial hub in West Africa.
The successful organization of this pan-African current affairs conference underscores Abidjan’s strategic importance in discussions about the continent’s economic future. Côte d’Ivoire, as the leading economy in the West African Economic and Monetary Union, is actively investing in infrastructure development and the local transformation of its primary commodities, particularly cocoa.
Boosting intra-african trade and sovereign decisions
Discussions prominently featured the necessity of stimulating trade among African nations, an area currently hampered by tariff barriers and inadequate infrastructure. Rather than aligning with external geopolitical blocs, participants advocated for genuine economic decision-making sovereignty for Africa.
The conclusions, released on July 12 and 13, called for the construction of a resilient and prosperous Africa, capable of asserting its influence in global trade negotiations. The African Chief Economists’ Network is envisioned as a crucial instrument to translate this ambition into coordinated continental policies, shaping Africa politics English discussions and the African society news agenda.
