The future of African economic growth is shaped in forums where policymakers, global financial institutions, and economists converge.
The 2026 African Economic Conference brought together top figures including Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Souleymane Diarrassouba, who delivered the opening address alongside the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, and representatives from the United Nations, UNDP, and OECD. Together with the UN Economic Commission for Africa, these organizations co-hosted the event at the AfDB headquarters in Abidjan.
This annual gathering unites key stakeholders—development leaders, chief economists from multilateral banks, central bank governors, research institutions, and government decision-makers—to address the economic shifts redefining the continent’s trajectory.
With global power structures evolving and development financing facing unprecedented challenges, Côte d’Ivoire took the opportunity to present its strategic roadmap, the National Development Plan 2026–2030. The country highlighted its progress in long-term planning, investment attraction, and economic transformation as a model for sustainable growth across Africa.
As the AfDB’s Governor for Côte d’Ivoire, Minister Diarrassouba emphasized the government’s commitment to forward-thinking public policies, lasting reforms, and an enabling environment for private investment. The country’s participation underscored its role as a proactive contributor to shaping Africa’s development agenda, leveraging its expertise in policy coordination and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
