The headquarters of the African Development Bank in Abidjan hosted the African Economic Conference (AEC) 2026, co-organized with the United Nations Development Programme and the Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques.
The ministerial opening ceremony was attended by over 4,000 virtual participants, according to the African Development Bank.
Launch of the Africa Network of Chief Economists
The conference resulted in the creation of the Africa Network of Chief Economists (ACE-Network), announced during the final session. This platform aims to coordinate economic expertise on the continent and harmonize public policies in response to global challenges.
According to the African Development Bank, this network will enable the development of solutions to the complex challenges facing Africa in a context of growing geopolitical fragmentation.
Fostering Autonomy and Resilience
The conference emphasized the need to transform local resources rather than export them raw. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Director of the Regional Bureau for West Africa at the United Nations Development Programme, stated that Africa’s economic self-reliance is its primary geopolitical lever.
Raymond Gilpin, Chief Economist at the UN Development Programme in Africa, reminded that global uncertainties will continue to test the resilience of African institutions. Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Vice-President for Operations at the Group of the African Development Bank, called for transforming conference recommendations into concrete decisions and actions.
The Côte d’Ivoire Context
Abidjan has been the headquarters of the African Development Bank since 2014, following its return from Tunis during the Ivorian crisis. The economic capital has established itself as a key diplomatic and financial hub in West Africa.
The organization of this conference confirmed Abidjan’s strategic role in discussions on Africa’s future economic prospects. Côte d’Ivoire, the first economy of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, is focusing on developing infrastructure and transforming its raw materials, particularly cocoa.
Strengthening Intra-African Trade and Sovereign Decision-Making
The discussions focused on the need to stimulate intra-African trade, currently limited by tariffs and inadequate infrastructure. Rather than aligning with external geopolitical blocs, participants advocated for genuine sovereign decision-making power.
The conclusions published on July 12th and 13th called for building a resilient and prosperous Africa capable of weighing in global trade negotiations. The Africa Network of Chief Economists is presented as a tool to translate this ambition into coordinated policies at the continental level.
