Africa Emerging Markets Forum…

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, and the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will headline the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum with a high-level fireside conversation scheduled to hold in Abuja on July 29 and 30, 2026.

Key Highlights

• CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will headline the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum in Abuja.
• The two-day event will hold on July 29 and 30, 2026, under the theme “Building Resilience Amidst Geoeconomic Uncertainties.”
• Policymakers, central bank governors, ministers, economists, academics and business leaders from Africa and beyond will attend.
• Discussions will focus on economic reforms, regional integration and long-term growth amid global uncertainties.
• Key issues include macroeconomic stability, fintech, cross-border payments, infrastructure and foreign direct investment.

The forum, hosted by the Central Bank of Nigeria in partnership with the Emerging Markets Forum (EMF) and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), will bring together policymakers, central bank governors, government ministers, development partners, academics, economists and private-sector leaders from across Africa and beyond.

This year’s gathering with the theme: “Building Resilience Amidst Geoeconomic Uncertainties,” will focus on strategies for strengthening African economies against global economic shocks and geopolitical disruptions.

A major highlight of the event will be the dialogue between Cardoso and Okonjo-Iweala, where both leaders are expected to examine policy options for sustaining economic reforms, promoting regional integration and driving long-term growth in an increasingly fragmented global economy.

The forum will also feature keynote presentations by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kingsley Udeh.

Their contributions are expected to emphasise the need for coordinated fiscal, monetary and innovation policies to support Africa’s economic transformation.

Other prominent participants include the World Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics, Indermit Gill; the Founding Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Emerging Markets Forum, Harinder Kohli; and the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Adamu Ahmed.

They will be joined by senior government officials, development experts, business executives and scholars from different parts of the continent.

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Over the course of the two-day event, participants will deliberate on several issues shaping the future of emerging economies.

Discussions will cover macroeconomic stability, regional integration, financial technology, cross-border payment systems, infrastructure development, foreign direct investment, artificial intelligence, technology transfer, and the impact of inflation, food price volatility and monetary policy transmission on fragile and post-crisis economies.

According to the organisers, the forum is designed to encourage practical policy dialogue on the challenges confronting emerging markets while generating solutions that can be tailored to the unique economic realities of individual African countries.

The event also reflects the commitment of the Central Bank of Nigeria and its partners to strengthening regional collaboration, promoting evidence-based policymaking and advancing innovative strategies that will enhance Africa’s resilience and support sustainable, inclusive economic growth.