The 2026 African Economic Conference concluded in Abidjan with a renewed commitment by the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to strengthen Africa’s economic resilience, deepen regional trade and enhance the continent’s geopolitical influence in an increasingly uncertain global economy.
Held from July 10 to 12 at the African Development Bank headquarters under the theme “Strengthening Africa’s Geopolitical Agency and Trade Resilience in a Multipolar World,” the conference brought together leading economists, policymakers, researchers and development partners to examine Africa’s economic prospects amid shifting global trade dynamics, geopolitical tensions and climate-related challenges.
The discussions produced a series of policy recommendations aimed at accelerating regional integration, improving economic governance and positioning African economies for sustainable long-term growth.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Raymond Gilpin, Chief Economist and Head of Strategy, Analysis and Research at UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa, said Africa’s greatest strength lies in the resilience of its people despite mounting global economic pressures.
“Global economic storms will continue to test African institutions, but they can never erode the fundamental wealth and resilience of Africa’s people,” Gilpin said, calling for stronger collaboration among development institutions to build a more prosperous continent.
OECD Senior Policy Advisor Ida McDonnell urged governments to adopt more integrated policymaking, arguing that issues such as trade, debt, investment, fiscal policy, climate action and development finance are increasingly interconnected and require coordinated solutions.
She also emphasized the importance of high-quality, shared data to support better policy decisions across the continent.
Closing the conference on behalf of African Development Bank President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, Senior Vice President Marie-Laure Akin Olugbade said the dialogue had generated practical policy insights that governments and development partners can use to strengthen Africa’s geopolitical agency and boost trade resilience.
UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa Director Ahunna Eziakonwa challenged African leaders to translate the conference outcomes into action by removing barriers to trade, investing in African businesses and innovation, strengthening regional value chains and equipping young people with skills for the future.
The conference also hosted the annual meeting of the Global Network of Chief Economists of Development and Financing Institutions and marked the launch of the African Chief Economists Network (ACE Network), a new platform expected to strengthen evidence-based economic policymaking across Africa.