By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Côte d’Ivoire, July 13, 2026 - The 2026 African Economic Conference (AEC) concluded with a renewed commitment by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to accelerate Africa's economic transformation through stronger regional integration, evidence-based policymaking and greater geopolitical influence in an increasingly multipolar world.
The three-day conference, held at the African Development Bank headquarters in Abidjan under the theme "Strengthening Africa's Geopolitical Agency and Trade Resilience in a Multipolar World," brought together leading economists, policymakers, researchers, central bank officials, development partners and private-sector leaders to examine how Africa can strengthen its position in the evolving global economy.
As the conference drew to a close, speakers emphasised that Africa's future prosperity will depend less on external assistance and more on its ability to deepen regional trade, mobilise domestic resources, invest in innovation and speak with a unified voice on global economic issues.
Delivering closing remarks, Raymond Gilpin, Chief Economist and Head of Strategy, Analysis and Research at the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, said the continent possesses the resilience needed to overcome global economic uncertainty if institutions work together.
"Global economic storms will continue to test African institutions, but they can never erode the fundamental wealth and resilience of Africa's people. With the strong partnership among our institutions, let us continue to combine our efforts and move forward together with urgency, clarity and determination to build the resilient and prosperous Africa we deserve—because that is the Africa the world needs," Gilpin said.
His remarks reflected the broader tone of the conference, where delegates repeatedly argued that Africa must move beyond reacting to global events and instead become an active participant in shaping international economic governance.
Throughout the conference, discussions focused on the growing impact of geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation, rising debt burdens, climate change, technological transformation and shifting development finance on African economies. Participants agreed that these challenges require coordinated continental responses supported by stronger institutions and better economic analysis.
Ida McDonnell, Senior Policy Advisor on Development Policy, Finance and Performance at the OECD, said the complexity of today's global economy demands a new way of thinking about policymaking.
"Our analytical frameworks must now adapt to the reality and uncertainty in which we live. Trade, debt, investment, fiscal policy, climate action and development finance are becoming increasingly interconnected. Yet we often continue to analyse them separately. The complexity of today's policy challenges calls for more integrated analysis that reflects the real choices policymakers face. Data matters, and we all agree on that. It matters even more when it is shared to support better decision-making."
Her remarks underscored one of the conference's central conclusions: that African governments need integrated policy frameworks capable of addressing interconnected challenges rather than treating economic issues in isolation.
Closing the conference on behalf of African Development Bank President Dr Sidi Ould Tah, Senior Vice-President Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade said the discussions had generated valuable policy recommendations that should now guide future reforms across the continent.
"I am confident that policymakers and development partners will draw on these discussions to guide their future actions. The exchanges we have had provide an essential foundation for the policies and partnerships needed to strengthen Africa's geopolitical agency and enhance its trade resilience," she said.
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The conference emphasised that Africa's long-term competitiveness will depend on expanding regional value chains, accelerating industrialisation, strengthening domestic capital markets and improving the efficiency of public institutions.
Delegates also highlighted the importance of investing in research, innovation, digital transformation and human capital to enable African economies to compete more effectively in global markets while creating jobs for the continent's rapidly growing youth population.
For Ahunna Eziakonwa, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, the real test begins after the conference ends.
"The lasting impact of these past days will be determined by what we do next: remove barriers to trade, invest in African enterprise and innovation, strengthen regional value chains, and equip our young people to compete in a changing global economy. In a multipolar world, Africa's greatest leverage will not come from choosing sides, but from building its own economic strength," she said.
Her remarks echoed a recurring message throughout the conference—that Africa's geopolitical influence will increasingly be determined by the strength of its economies rather than its political alliances.
One of the conference's landmark achievements was the launch of the African Chief Economists Network (ACE-Network), a new platform bringing together chief economists from governments, central banks, development finance institutions, academia and the private sector to strengthen evidence-based policymaking across the continent.
The conference also hosted the annual meeting of the Global Network of Chief Economists of Development and Financing Institutions, reinforcing efforts to improve collaboration among Africa's leading economic thinkers and development partners.
Since its establishment in 2006, the African Economic Conference has become one of the continent's premier platforms for economic policy dialogue, bringing together governments, researchers and development institutions to generate practical solutions to Africa's development challenges.
This year's conference concluded with a clear consensus that while global economic uncertainty is likely to persist, Africa possesses the demographic strength, natural resources, expanding digital economy and regional market needed to drive long-term growth. Delegates agreed that translating those advantages into sustainable prosperity will require stronger institutions, coordinated policymaking, increased investment and deeper continental cooperation through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).