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African leaders, economists and development experts opened the 2026 African Economic Conference (AEC) in Abidjan with a clear message: Africa must act collectively and decisively to shape its future in an increasingly multipolar world.

Hosted at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) headquarters from 10–12 July, the conference brought together policymakers, researchers and representatives of regional and international institutions under the theme “Strengthening Africa’s Geopolitical Agency and Trade Resilience in a Multipolar World.”

Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Planning and Development, Souleymane Diarrassouba, urged participants to rethink Africa’s global positioning.

“Africa can no longer be viewed merely as a reservoir of raw materials,” he said. “We must be recognised as a key player in global supply chains, a hub for industrialisation, and a force capable of defending its interests.”

AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah echoed this sentiment, calling for a shift from narratives of vulnerability to narratives of autonomy, competitiveness and influence.

He argued that Africa’s geopolitical strength will depend on its ability to negotiate confidently, shape global rules and convert collective interests into collective action. His remarks aligned with the Bank’s Four Cardinal Points and the New African Financing Architecture for Development (NAFAD).

UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa Ahunna Eziakonwa highlighted Africa’s growing role in global governance. “The world is being rewritten,” she said. “Africa’s role is no longer to adapt to rules made by others, but to help define the rules of tomorrow.”

In a video address, OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann highlighted the changing global development financing landscape, arguing that development assistance must be used more effectively and that broader sources of investment should be leveraged.

The conference featured expert panels and research presentations on industrialisation, human capital development, informal sector transformation, and women’s and youth employment. Other panel sessions discussed natural resource governance, digital public administration, and anti corruption efforts.

Researchers presented evidence-based findings to panels of policymakers, fostering dialogue between academia and decision-makers.

Over the three-day event, participants examined how Africa can strengthen its financial agency, deepen domestic capital markets and navigate the economic impacts of global geopolitical tensions.

Since its launch in 2006, the AEC has become one of Africa’s leading platforms for development thinking, encouraging collaboration among governments, researchers, development partners and the private sector.

This year’s edition also hosted the annual meeting of the Global Network of Chief Economists of Development and Financing Institutions, the launch of the African Chief Economists Network (ACE Network), and a graduation ceremony for cohorts of the Public Finance Management Academy for Africa and the Macroeconomic Policy Management Academy for Africa.

The 2026 AEC signalled a growing consensus that Africa must proactively shape global rules, strengthen regional integration and build resilient economies capable of thriving in a rapidly changing world.