Abidjan hosts african economic conference, launching pivotal chief economists network

From July 10 to 12, the African Development Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, served as the vibrant venue for the 2026 African Economic Conference (AEC). This significant gathering, a collaborative effort by the AfDB, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, focused on the critical theme of “Strengthening Africa’s Geopolitical Agency and Trade Resilience in a Multipolar World.”

The Ivorian Minister of Planning and Development, Souleymane Diarrassouba, officially inaugurated the proceedings. The AfDB reported that more than 4,000 participants actively followed the enriching debates online, highlighting the widespread interest in Africa’s economic future.

Introducing the African Chief Economists Network

A major highlight of the conference was the official establishment of the African Chief Economists Network (ACE-Network), an initiative unveiled during the concluding day. This innovative platform is designed to synergize economic expertise across the continent and foster the harmonization of public policies, enabling a more unified response to global disruptions and ensuring robust African economic resilience.

This network, according to insights from the AfDB, is poised to develop tailored solutions for the complex challenges confronting Africa amid increasing geopolitical fragmentation. Professor Kevin Urama, Vice President of the AfDB, emphasized the imperative for the continent to bolster its knowledge systems, thereby enhancing its influence within the global financial order and shaping contemporary African politics.

From dependency to strategic autonomy

Throughout the conference, speakers underscored the vital importance of local resource transformation rather than the traditional export of raw materials. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, articulated that Africa’s inherent economic strength represents its most potent geopolitical leverage, crucial for pan-African news and development.

Raymond Gilpin, Chief Economist at UNDP Africa, cautioned that global uncertainties would persistently test the resilience of African institutions. Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Senior Vice President of the AfDB Group, issued a compelling call to action, urging that the conference’s recommendations be translated into tangible decisions and concrete implementation.

Abidjan’s strategic context in Côte d’Ivoire

Abidjan has proudly hosted the African Development Bank’s headquarters since 2014, following its relocation from Tunis after a temporary stay during Côte d’Ivoire’s national crisis. This return has solidified the Ivorian economic capital’s standing as a pivotal diplomatic and financial hub within West Africa, frequently featured in West Africa news.

The successful organization of this high-profile conference reaffirms Abidjan’s strategic significance in shaping continental economic discourse. Côte d’Ivoire, recognized as the leading economy within the West African Economic and Monetary Union, is actively pursuing strategies focused on infrastructure development and the localized processing of its primary commodities, notably cocoa, a key element of the African economy today.

Boosting intra-african trade and sovereign decision-making

Discussions intensely focused on the urgent need to stimulate trade among African nations, an area currently hampered by tariff barriers and inadequate infrastructure. Rather than aligning with external geopolitical blocs, participants advocated strongly for genuine economic decision-making sovereignty across the continent, central to pan-African news and growth.

The comprehensive conclusions, published on July 12 and 13, presented a clear vision: to forge a resilient and prosperous Africa, capable of asserting its influence in global trade negotiations. The newly formed African Chief Economists Network is heralded as a crucial instrument for transforming this ambitious vision into coordinated, continent-wide policies, fostering a stronger African economy today.