L’essentiel
- Dates : The African Economic Conference 2026 took place from July 10 to 12, 2026, in Abidjan
- Organisateurs : Co-organized by the Bank of African Development (BAD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques (OCDE)
- Lancement : Launch of the Africa Network of Chief Economists (ACE-Network) on July 12
- Participation : Over 4,000 virtual participants over three days
The Bank of African Development headquarters in Abidjan hosted the African Economic Conference (AEC) 2026 from July 10 to 12, co-organized with the United Nations Development Programme and the Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques. The conference focused on ‘Strengthening Africa’s Geopolitical Action and Commercial Resilience in a Multipolar World.’
The Minister of Economic Planning and Development of Côte d’Ivoire, Souleymane Diarrassouba, opened the proceedings. Over 4,000 participants followed online debates, according to the BAD.
Launch of the Africa Network of Chief Economists
The conference led to the creation of the Africa Network of Chief Economists (ACE-Network), announced on the last day. This platform aims to coordinate economic expertise across the continent and harmonize public policies in response to global shocks.
According to the BAD, this network will enable designing solutions to complex challenges facing Africa in a growing fragmented geopolitical context. Professor Kevin Urama, Vice-President of the BAD, emphasized the need for the continent to strengthen its knowledge systems to weigh on the world’s financial order.
From Dependence to Strategic Autonomy
The participants stressed the need to transform local resources rather than export them raw. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the UNDP, said that Africa’s self-sufficient economic power is its main geopolitical leverage.
Raymond Gilpin, Chief Economist at the UNDP Africa, recalled that global uncertainties will continue to test the resilience of African institutions. Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Vice-President and Principal Officer of the BAD Group, called for translating conference recommendations into concrete decisions and actions.
Context in Côte d’Ivoire
Abidjan has been the headquarters of the Bank of African Development since 2014, after it temporarily relocated to Tunis during the Ivorian crisis. The economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire has established itself as a diplomatic and financial hub in West Africa.
The organization of this conference confirms Abidjan’s strategic role in discussions on the future of Africa’s economy. Côte d’Ivoire, the first economy of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), is focusing on developing infrastructure and transforming its raw materials, particularly cocoa.
Intra-African Trade and Sovereignty of Decision
The debates focused on stimulating intra-African trade, currently limited by tariffs and inadequate infrastructures. Instead of aligning with external blocs, the participants advocated for genuine economic sovereignty.
The conclusions published on July 12 called for building a resilient and prosperous Africa capable of weighing in global trade negotiations. The Africa Network of Chief Economists is presented as an instrument to translate this ambition into coordinated policies at the continental level.