The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, and the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will headline the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum in Abuja this week as policymakers seek solutions to strengthen Africa’s resilience amid growing global economic uncertainties.
According to a statement issued by the CBN on Sunday, the two-day forum will be held at the apex bank’s headquarters on July 29 and 30, 2026.
The event is being organised by the CBN in partnership with the Emerging Markets Forum and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA).
The CBN said a high-level fireside dialogue between Cardoso and Okonjo-Iweala will be the highlight of the conference.
The session is expected to examine how African economies can build resilience, sustain reform momentum, deepen regional integration and unlock long-term growth in an increasingly fragmented global economy.
Held under the theme, “Building Resilience Amidst Geoeconomic Uncertainties,” the forum will bring together senior policymakers, central bankers, finance ministers, development partners, private sector leaders and economists from across Africa and beyond.
According to the organisers, discussions will focus on practical policy responses to rising global economic challenges and explore strategies that can help emerging markets withstand external shocks while maintaining macroeconomic stability.
The CBN said participants will deliberate on issues including regional economic integration, cross-border payments, financial technology, infrastructure development, foreign direct investment, technology transfer and artificial intelligence.
Other key topics include food price volatility, inflation and the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission in fragile and post-crisis economies.
Also expected to deliver keynote addresses are the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Kingsley Udeh.
The organisers said their participation underscores the importance of coordinating fiscal, monetary and innovation policies to drive Africa’s economic transformation and long-term resilience.
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, Prof. Adamu Ahmed.
Senior policymakers, academics, development partners and business leaders from across Africa are also expected to attend the conference.
According to the CBN, the forum aims to promote policy dialogue among governments, financial institutions and development partners while generating practical recommendations tailored to the realities of emerging and developing economies.
The apex bank added that the event reflects its commitment, alongside its partners, to strengthening regional cooperation, advancing evidence-based policymaking and promoting innovative solutions that support sustainable and inclusive economic growth across Africa.
