The Africa Prosperity Network has announced that Dr Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group, will deliver a keynote address at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026, positioning the event as a major platform for shaping Africa’s economic future.
The fourth edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues will be held from 4 to 6 February 2026 at the Accra International Conference Centre, under the patronage of President John Dramani Mahama. The annual forum brings together political leaders, financiers and private sector stakeholders to advance Africa’s economic integration agenda.
Dr Ould Tah, who assumed office in September 2025, has quickly established himself as a pivotal figure in African development finance. Within his first 100 days, he secured a record $11 billion replenishment for the African Development Fund, the largest in the institution’s 53-year history. The achievement came amid global fiscal pressures and shifting donor priorities, underscoring a renewed confidence in the AfDB’s leadership and strategy.
At APD 2026, Dr Ould Tah will address the theme “Empowering SMEs, Women and Youth for Africa’s Single Market”, outlining his vision for expanding the African Development Bank Group’s engagement with the private sector and strengthening partnerships that drive inclusive growth and shared prosperity.
A defining feature of his early tenure has been his handling of a major funding challenge following the withdrawal of a traditional donor. Rather than slowing momentum, Dr Ould Tah mobilised a coalition of 43 African and international partners, exceeding previous funding levels. Notably, 23 African countries contributed directly, signalling a shift toward greater continental ownership and co-investment in Africa’s development.
Speaking after the pledging session, Dr Ould Tah described the replenishment as a turning point, emphasising a strategy that uses concessional finance to unlock significantly larger flows of private capital, multiplying development impact across the continent.
Organisers say his address will focus on mobilising resources, strengthening public-private collaboration and accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The Dialogue aims to translate political commitments into measurable economic outcomes by building public and private support for African Union protocols designed to boost intra-African trade, free movement and economic integration.
The African Development Bank Group is an institutional partner of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026, reflecting a shared commitment to action-oriented dialogue and cooperation to advance long-term growth.
The Africa Prosperity Network has invited governments, investors, development institutions, and business leaders to participate in the Accra gathering, positioning APD 2026 as a pivotal moment for advancing a more integrated and prosperous Africa.
Follow the latest news on Google News
