By Abiodun Folarin
WorldStage— Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, and Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will headline the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum with a high-level fireside dialogue focused on strengthening Africa’s economic resilience amid global uncertainties.
The two-day forum, scheduled for July 29-30, 2026, at the CBN Headquarters in Abuja, is being hosted by the Central Bank of Nigeria in collaboration with the Emerging Markets Forum (EMF) and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA).
Themed “Building Resilience Amidst Geoeconomic Uncertainties,” the forum will bring together senior policymakers, central bankers, ministers, development partners, private sector leaders and leading economists from Africa and across the world to explore practical policy responses to the evolving global economic landscape.
A major highlight of the event will be the Cardoso-Okonjo-Iweala fireside discussion, which will examine strategies for African economies to strengthen resilience, sustain reform momentum, deepen regional integration and unlock long-term growth in an increasingly fragmented global economy.
The forum will also feature 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. Their presentations are expected to underscore the role of coordinated fiscal, monetary and innovation policies in driving Africa’s economic transformation and long-term resilience.
Other notable participants include the World Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics, Indermit Gill; Founding Director and Chief Executive of the Emerging Markets Forum, Harinder Kohli; Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Adamu Ahmed; as well as senior policymakers, academics, development partners and business leaders from across Africa and beyond.
Over the two-day event, participants will deliberate on key issues shaping the future of emerging markets, including macroeconomic stability, regional economic integration, cross-border payments, financial technology, infrastructure development, foreign direct investment, technology transfer, artificial intelligence, food price volatility, inflation and monetary policy transmission in fragile and post-crisis economies.
According to the organisers, the forum is designed to promote open dialogue on strategic issues affecting emerging markets and developing economies while identifying practical policy solutions that can be adapted to the specific needs of individual countries.
The organisers added that the forum reflects the commitment of the Central Bank of Nigeria and its partners to strengthening regional cooperation, advancing evidence-based policymaking and promoting innovative solutions that will enhance Africa’s resilience and support sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
