Background

The Africa Business Convention, Africa’s #1 business and investment platform, is critical to the transformation of Africa’s business landscape and its entire economy. Therefore, every Convention since its inception is carefully designed to drive/galvanise/facilitate Africa’s governments, businesses, policymakers, investors, etc. (to move) in this direction.

In the first edition in 2021, themed Africa Proactive, the focus and key question was: Could the continent have been more proactive before Covid–19 pandemic and what would that mean going forward?

For many African economies, the pandemic laid bare the difference between rich and poor countries. While Africa was least affected in terms of the loss of human lives, African economies were devastated by the pandemic. It turned out that as global trade flows and finance slowed, Africa economic conditions were made worse because of awful preconditions – rising deficits and debts, poverty, and poor infrastructure.

In 2022, it was then important to look at Africa Recovery. What was not obvious at the time of the Convention was how “recovery” was going to be a tortuous journey and compounded by the Russian-Ukraine war that started soon after the Convention in February of that year. From 2022, the economic decisions that followed the pandemic in developed economies, the disruptions to international trade flows caused by the Russian-Ukraine war, the rising costs of living, and the tightened financial conditions compounded Africa’s recovery.

Then came the pertinent question: what if African economies were more integrated and connected, with extensive intra-Africa trade? Africa Connected was a fitting response to the growing economic difficulties and the need to build economic resilience on the continent. The increasing connectedness of Africa was and is required in many ways – trade, aviation, technology, education, etc. However, Africa Connected was not going to just happen – it requires Africa Invest.

Africa Invest in 2025 laid bare the huge gaps in investments, trade, agriculture, infrastructure, education, etc. More importantly, it highlighted that the investments required in Africa are not just that of the measurable volume of investments, but the investments required in people, policies (reforms), and systems.

ABC 2026: Introduction

According to recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) data, Africa’s GDP is set to grow by around 3.7 – 3.8% in 2025. This projected average growth rate for the year masks country and regional disparities. Indeed, as with everything Africa, growth is uneven across regions and countries, driven by structural, political, and external factors. In North Africa, the projected growth rate of 3% – 4.5% is driven by oil and gas exports, tourism, and remittances. In Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), the growth divergence is even wider, from 1% in South Africa to 6% in Ethiopia and Rwanda. Whereas in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda a growth rate of 4 to 6% is expected. The evident disparity in growth across African countries is as much a course for concern as it is a huge opportunity for governments and businesses.

At ABC 2026, the following four questions around Africa’s growth will be on the front burner:

• How can we accelerate the current level of growth in Africa while narrowing the disparity?
• How can we best build the required foundations, structures, systems, investment channels, and important relationships that will support long-term, sustainable growth on the continent?
• What are the necessary economic reforms needed for rapid, sustained, and inclusive growth in Africa?
• Where are the existing and emerging big business and investment opportunities for businesses and governments betting on Africa?

To address the above questions and explore the inherent opportunities, ABC 2026 events are organised/framed around six thematic streams:

1. Agriculture and Food Security (AFS)
2. Banking, Investments and Capital (BIC)
3. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
4. Fintech, Innovation and Technology (FIT)
5. Jobs/Economy/Trade (JET)
6. Power, Infrastructure and Energy (PIE)

The convention is poised to be yet another melting pot for Africa’s government leaders, global CEOs, biggest deal makers, investors, entrepreneurs, business shapers, innovators, etc.

Would you rather stay away?

I invite you to please join us in Lagos on 3-4 February 2026 for a refreshing convention. I look forward to welcoming you!

Dr Ogho Okiti
Convener, Africa Business Convention