Abuja Hosts Africa Emerging Markets Forum as Cardoso, Okonjo-Iweala Lead Economic Dialogue
Oru Leonard
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, and Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will headline the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum with a high-level fireside dialogue in Abuja on July 29 and 30, 2026.
The forum, hosted by the Central Bank of Nigeria in collaboration with the Emerging Markets Forum (EMF) and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), will bring together senior policymakers, central bankers, ministers, development partners, private sector leaders and renowned economists from across Africa and beyond to explore strategies for navigating an increasingly uncertain global economic landscape.
With the theme, “Building Resilience Amidst Geoeconomic Uncertainties,” the forum will focus on practical policy responses to global economic challenges. The Cardoso–Okonjo-Iweala dialogue is expected to examine how African economies can strengthen resilience, sustain economic reforms, deepen regional integration and unlock long-term growth in a fragmented global environment.
The event will also feature keynote addresses by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, highlighting the importance of aligning fiscal, monetary and innovation policies to drive Africa’s economic transformation.
Other notable participants include Indermit Gill, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics at the World Bank Group; Harinder Kohli, Founding Director and Chief Executive of the Emerging Markets Forum; Professor Adamu Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, alongside leading policymakers, academics, development partners and business executives.
Over the two-day event, participants will deliberate on key issues shaping emerging markets, including macroeconomic stability, regional economic integration, cross-border payments, financial technology, infrastructure development, foreign direct investment, technology transfer, artificial intelligence, food price volatility, inflation and monetary policy transmission in fragile and post-crisis economies.
According to the organisers, the forum is designed to encourage open dialogue on strategic issues affecting emerging and developing economies while identifying practical, evidence-based policy solutions tailored to the unique realities of African countries.
The organisers said the forum reflects the shared commitment of the Central Bank of Nigeria and its partners to strengthening regional cooperation, promoting sound economic policymaking and advancing innovative solutions that will enhance Africa’s resilience and support sustainable, inclusive economic growth.
