Cardoso, Okonjo-Iweala to Headline 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum in Abuja

A high-level fireside dialogue between the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, and the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will headline the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum, taking place at the CBN Headquarters, Abuja, on Wednesday, 29 July, and Thursday, 30 July 2026.

Hosted by the CBN in collaboration with the Emerging Markets Forum (EMF) and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum will convene senior policymakers, central bankers, ministers, development partners, private-sector leaders and leading economists from Africa and around the world to examine practical policy responses to an increasingly uncertain global economic environment.

Held under the theme “Building Resilience Amidst Geoeconomic Uncertainties,” the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum will be headlined by the Cardoso–Okonjo-Iweala fireside dialogue, which will explore how African economies can build resilience, sustain reform momentum, deepen regional integration and unlock long-term growth amid an increasingly fragmented global economy.

The 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum will also feature ministerial 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, underscoring the importance of coordinated fiscal, monetary and innovation policies in advancing Africa’s economic transformation and long-term resilience.

Other distinguished 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 senior policymakers, academics, development partners and business leaders from across Africa and beyond.

Over two days, participants will examine a wide range of issues critical to the future of emerging markets, including macroeconomic stability, regional economic integration, cross-border payments, financial technology, infrastructure, foreign direct investment, technology transfer, artificial intelligence, and the interconnected challenges of food price volatility, inflation and monetary policy transmission in fragile and post-crisis economies.

According to the organisers, the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum aims to foster open dialogue on issues of strategic importance to emerging markets and developing economies while identifying practical policy solutions that can be adapted to the unique circumstances of individual countries.

The Forum underscores the shared commitment of the Central Bank of Nigeria and its partners to strengthening regional cooperation, advancing evidence-based policymaking and promoting innovative solutions that enhance Africa’s resilience and support sustainable, inclusive economic growth.