In 2026, the Africa Business Forum will be organized as a concise, high‑impact programme designed to translate the theme into measurable commitments, deal‑oriented partnerships and sustained follow‑up.
Opening plenary. The opening plenary will include welcoming remarks, high-level keynote addresses and a presentation of the theme, “Financing the future of Africa: jobs and innovation for Africa’s transformation”
“What works” at the centre of Africa Business Forum 2026. The Forum is structured to focus extensively on case studies and success stories. Each major segment will be anchored by brief “What works” spotlights by members of ECA, development finance institutions and entrepreneurs. These segments, each of which will be seven minutes long (a two‑minute video, followed by five minutes for remarks), will be used to showcase practical examples of policies, partnerships and business models that have created jobs and improved competitiveness and that can be adapted and replicated across countries and subregions.
Presidential dialogues. Two high‑level dialogues will be organized, pairing Heads of State with (i) youth entrepreneurs and innovators; and (ii) development finance institutions and private‑sector leaders. The focus will be on scalability, factors that unlock investment and the process through which capital translates into job creation.
The following three thematic roundtables will be organized: 1. Creating jobs at scale: aligning philanthropy, enterprise growth and market expansion in Africa; 2. Financing the innovation economy of Africa through financial technology, agricultural technology, health technology and industrial technology; 3. Afrofuturism: scaling African creativity through investment, partnerships and inclusive markets.
Jobs wall announcement. The major commitments will be publicly presented and the Africa Business Forum delivery and jobs wall scorecard will be introduced.
Closing plenary. There will be a presentation of the main outcomes, headline jobs wall commitments and the next steps for follow‑up reporting and delivery under the implementation clock of the jobs wall and the Africa Development Impact Forum.
Additional events such as fireside chats, case highlights and exhibitions will be used selectively to deepen engagement without overloading the programme.
