African Development Bank to Convene Inaugural Integrate Africa Forum

21 May 2026
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African Development Bank (Abidjan)
announcement

WHAT: Inaugural Integrate Africa Forum

WHO: The African Development Bank Group (AfDB), through its Regional Integration Coordination Office (RDRI)

WHEN: Thursday, 28 May 2026

TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Kintele International Conference Center, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

Background

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) will host an Inaugural Integrate Africa Forum during its 2026 Annual Meetings, under the theme "Made in Africa, Trade in Africa."

This gathering will mobilize action around trade as a critical accelerator for industrial transformation and sustainable growth. The Forum will strengthen alignment between AfCFTA implementation, regional value chain development, and institutional coordination in a rapidly evolving multipolar world. It will showcase the Bank's leadership in advancing the African Union's Agenda 2063's vision for an integrated and prosperous Africa, driven by intra-African trade and industry.

Objective

The Forum aims to help Africa do more than just open markets. It aims to help countries produce more goods, build stronger supply chains, and grow bigger, stronger economies. It will show how trade can help bring African countries closer together and support the funding needed to achieve the African Continental Free Trade Area's industrial goals. The Forum will also explain how working together -- through larger markets, shared resources, stronger regional industries, and better financial systems -- can make African economies more competitive and better able to handle challeng

The one-day forum will feature keynote addresses, high-level plenaries, fireside chats, deep dives, financing panels, cultural showcases, and strategic announcements. Highlights include:

  • Keynote Address by Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President of the AfDB Group -- "From Market Integration to Industrial Transformation: Mobilizing Capital for Africa's Production Future"
  • High-Level Plenary: Africa in a Multi-Polar World with H.E. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe (AUC), H.E. Clever Gatete (UNECA), H.E. Elias Magosi (SADC), Dr. Ousmane Diagana (World Bank), and Dr. Abdul Kamara (AfDB Group)
  • Fireside Chat with Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, Founder/CEO, The Chair Centre Group
  • HERAfCFTA Deep Dive spotlighting women leaders and entrepreneurs from Chad, Egypt, Kenya, UNDP, and Republic of Congo
  • Financing Panel with Admassu Tadesse (TDB), Boitumelo Mosako (DBSA), Manuel Moses (ATIDI), Anna Bjerde (World Bank), and Hassatou Diop N'sele (AfDB)
  • Announcement in support of the New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD) by Ambassador Mohamed Kader (COMESA)
  • Multi-Stakeholder Roundtable on trade corridors with leaders from COMESA, Africa50, Republic of Congo, and AfDB Group
  • TED Talk by Professor John Woods (Howard Law School) -- Made in Africa to the World
  • Launch of the Second Edition of Integrate Africa Magazine - The Trade Issue
  • Closing Address by Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Senior Vice President, AfDB -- "Mobilizing Africa's Production Future: The Bank's Strategic Direction"

For accreditation and interview scheduling, please contact: AfDB Group Communication Team

Email: [email protected]

Read the original article on African Development Bank (AfDB).

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