ABUJA, Nigeria — Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, and Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will headline the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum, where policymakers, economists and business leaders will examine strategies to strengthen Africa’s economic resilience amid growing global uncertainty.
The two-day forum, scheduled for July 29–30, 2026, at the CBN Headquarters in Abuja, is being organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in partnership with the Emerging Markets Forum (EMF) and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA).
Held under the theme, “Building Resilience Amidst Geoeconomic Uncertainties,” the event will bring together central bank governors, finance ministers, development finance institutions, private-sector executives, academics and international economic experts to discuss policy responses to an increasingly fragmented global economy.
A key highlight of the conference will be a fireside dialogue between Cardoso and Okonjo-Iweala, focusing on how African economies can sustain economic reforms, strengthen regional integration, enhance resilience to global shocks and unlock long-term inclusive growth.
The forum will also feature keynote addresses from Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Kingsley Udeh. Their presentations are expected to explore the role of coordinated fiscal, monetary and innovation policies in supporting sustainable economic transformation across the continent.
Other prominent speakers 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; and Professor Adamu Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University.
According to the organisers, discussions will focus on several strategic issues shaping the future of emerging markets, including macroeconomic stability, regional economic integration, cross-border payment systems, financial technology, infrastructure financing, foreign direct investment, technology transfer and artificial intelligence.
Participants will also examine policy responses to persistent economic challenges such as food price inflation, monetary policy transmission, supply chain disruptions and economic recovery in fragile and post-crisis economies.
The organisers said the forum aims to provide a platform for evidence-based policy dialogue, enabling governments, financial institutions and the private sector to develop practical solutions tailored to the unique economic realities of African countries.
They added that the conference reflects the shared commitment of the Central Bank of Nigeria and its partners to promoting regional cooperation, strengthening policy coordination and advancing sustainable, inclusive economic growth across Africa.
With global trade, investment flows and financial markets facing increasing geopolitical and economic pressures, the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum is expected to provide an important platform for shaping policy discussions on Africa’s economic competitiveness and long-term development agenda.
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