Key takeaways
- Dates: The African Economic Conference took place from July 10 to 12, 2026, in Abidjan.
- Organizers: Co-hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), UNDP, and OECD.
- Launch: The African Chief Economists’ Network (ACE-Network) was established on July 12.
- Participation: Over 4,000 virtual attendees joined the three-day event.
The African Development Bank headquarters in Abidjan proudly hosted the 2026 African Economic Conference (AEC) from July 10 to 12. This significant gathering, co-organized with the United Nations Development Programme and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, centered on 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, officially inaugurated the proceedings. Throughout the conference, more than 4,000 participants engaged with the discussions online.
African Chief Economists’ Network established
A pivotal outcome of the conference was the formal launch of the African Chief Economists’ Network (ACE-Network), announced on the final day. This innovative platform is designed to synchronize economic expertise across the continent and foster harmonized public policies, particularly in response to global disruptions.
The ACE-Network aims to facilitate the development of strategic solutions for the complex challenges confronting Africa amid increasing geopolitical fragmentation. Professor Kevin Urama, Vice-President of the African Development Bank, emphasized the imperative for Africa to bolster its knowledge systems to exert greater influence within the global financial order.
From dependence to strategic autonomy
Speakers consistently highlighted the critical need for African nations to process their raw materials locally instead of exporting them in an unprocessed state. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Director of the UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa, articulated that Africa’s inherent economic strength serves as its most potent geopolitical lever.
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, issued a call to action, urging the translation of conference recommendations into concrete decisions and tangible actions.
Abidjan’s strategic context
Abidjan has served as the permanent home of the African Development Bank since its return in 2014, following a temporary relocation to Tunis during the Ivorian crisis. The economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire has since solidified its position as a prominent diplomatic and financial hub across West Africa.
The successful organization of this conference underscores Abidjan’s strategic importance in continental economic discourse. Côte d’Ivoire, recognized as the leading economy within the West African Economic and Monetary Union, is actively pursuing infrastructure development and the local processing of its raw materials, notably cocoa.
Intra-African trade and sovereign decision-making
Discussions during the conference extensively covered the necessity of boosting trade among African nations, which currently faces limitations due to tariff barriers and inadequate infrastructure. Rather than aligning with external geopolitical blocs, participants advocated for genuine economic sovereignty in decision-making.
The comprehensive conclusions, released on July 12 and 13, present a vision for a resilient and prosperous Africa, capable of asserting its influence in global trade negotiations. The newly established African Chief Economists’ Network is poised to be a crucial instrument in transforming this ambition into coordinated continental policies.
