By Taiwo Scholarstica
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, and the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, are set to headline the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum in Abuja.
The two-day event, scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, and Thursday, July 30, 2026, will bring together policymakers, economists and global economic leaders to discuss strategies for strengthening Africa’s resilience in the face of increasing global economic uncertainties.
According to a statement issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Sunday, the forum will take place at the CBN Headquarters and is being organised by the apex bank in partnership with the Emerging Markets Forum and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa.
The statement read, “A high-level fireside dialogue between the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, and the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will headline the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum.”
The high-level dialogue is expected to be one of the major highlights of the conference, which is being held under the theme, “Building Resilience Amidst Geoeconomic Uncertainties.”
The CBN said the forum would provide an opportunity for senior policymakers, central bankers, ministers, development partners, private sector leaders and leading economists from Africa and other parts of the world to examine practical policy responses to emerging global economic challenges.
According to the apex bank, the Cardoso-Okonjo-Iweala dialogue would focus on how African economies can build resilience, sustain reform momentum, deepen regional integration and unlock long-term growth amid an increasingly fragmented global economy.
The discussions are also expected to explore policy options that can help emerging economies withstand external shocks while maintaining macroeconomic stability and advancing economic transformation.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Kingsley Udeh, are also expected to deliver keynote addresses at the forum.
The organisers said their participation highlights the importance of coordinated fiscal, monetary and innovation policies in advancing Africa’s economic transformation and long-term resilience.
Other prominent participants expected at the event 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; and the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Adamu Ahmed.
Senior policymakers, academics, development partners and business leaders from Africa and beyond are also expected to attend.
The CBN said the forum would cover key issues affecting emerging markets, including macroeconomic stability, regional economic integration, cross-border payments, financial technology, infrastructure development, foreign direct investment, technology transfer and artificial intelligence.
Participants will also examine food price volatility, inflation and monetary policy transmission in fragile and post-crisis economies.
“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 statement read.
The CBN added that the event demonstrates its commitment, alongside its partners, to strengthening regional cooperation, promoting evidence-based policymaking and advancing innovative solutions to support sustainable and inclusive economic growth across Africa.