Host
His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR.
The 21st Olu of Warri
October 28th - 29th, 2026
Africa: Defining Her Future
A High-Level Convening on Trade Governance, Leadership, Youth, the Creative Economy and the African Diaspora
The Convening begins in
Accra, Ghana
Counting down to October 28, 2026 at 8:00 AM GMT.
Why This Convening Matters
Africa stands at a defining moment.
As global power dynamics shift, new trade relationships emerge and institutions evolve, the continent has an opportunity not only to participate in shaping the future, but to help define it.
The Elevate Africa Convening brings together Heads of State, ministers, traditional leaders, business executives, investors, development institutions, creatives, youth leaders and the African diaspora to address the leadership, governance and economic priorities that will shape Africa's future.
The convening is designed to move beyond dialogue by catalysing partnerships, informing policy and producing concrete commitments that strengthen Africa's position in a rapidly changing world.
Confirmed Speakers & Hosts
Voices defining Africa's future.
Meet the distinguished leaders confirmed for the Elevate Africa Convening 2026.
Hosts
Host
Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III
Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom
Presidential Leadership
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone
Confirmed Speaker
H.E. Julius Maada Bio
President, Sierra Leone
🇬🇭 Ghana
Confirmed Speaker
H.E. Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
Vice President of the Republic of Ghana
🇲🇺 Mauritius
Confirmed Speaker
H.E. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim
Former President of Mauritius
🇲🇼 Malawi
Confirmed Speaker
H.E. Joyce Banda
Former President of Malawi
🇳🇬 Nigeria
Confirmed Speaker
H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
Former President of Nigeria
Speakers
Confirmed Speaker
Hon. Hannatu Musa Musawa
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Nigeria
Confirmed Speaker
Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative, Ghana
Confirmed Speaker
Hon. Ahmed Rostom
Minister of Planning, Arab Republic of Egypt
Confirmed Speaker
Hon. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
Minister of Trade & Industry, Nigeria
Confirmed Speaker
Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
Minister of Trade & Industry, Ghana
Confirmed Speaker
Hon. Kofi Okyere-Darko
Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, Ghana
Confirmed Speaker
Mr. Mohamed Mostafa El Sallab
Head, Industry Committee, Egyptian Parliament
Confirmed Speaker
Mr. Sherif El Gably
Member, Egyptian House of Representatives; Chair, African Affairs Committee
Confirmed Speaker
Rep. Kim Schofield
Congress Member, Georgia
Confirmed Speaker
Mr. Robb Pitts
Chairman, Fulton County Board of Commissioners
Confirmed Speaker
Mrs. Titi Akinsumni
Chatham House
Confirmed Speaker
David Ziyambi
Vice Chair, Africa Practice, Latham & Watkins, London, United Kingdom
Confirmed Speaker
Mr. Mohammed Usman Abdul-Rasaq
Senior Vice President and Head of Capital Mobilisation and Partnerships, AFC
Confirmed Speaker
Wakiuru Njuguna
Managing Partner, HEVA Fund
Confirmed Speaker
Osahon Okunbo
Chief Executive Officer, The Osahon Okunbo Foundation (TOOF)
Confirmed Speaker
Aisha Maina
CEO, Aquarian Consults
Confirmed Speaker
Nana Darko
Country Director, ALX Ghana
Confirmed Speaker
Dr. Syleecia Thompson
Centre for Business Innovation, Entrepreneurialism, and Management (CBEM), National University
Confirmed Speaker
Annan Roberta
Founder, African Fashion Foundation
Confirmed Speaker
Clara Pinkrah-Sam
Founder and Creative Director, Clatural, Ghana
Confirmed Speaker
Ama Ofeibea Tetteh
Founder and Lead Consultant, Chapter54; TOA Chief Judge
Confirmed Speaker
Ama Y. Adi-Dako Seidu
Storyteller, Producer, Development Strategist
Confirmed Speaker
Modupe Fadugba
Multi-media Artist
Confirmed Speaker
Zahra Ahmed Ajetunmobi
UN SDG Advocate & Youth Ambassador
Confirmed Speaker
Abdulrahman Kamal
Contracts & Infrastructure Leader (EA Fellow)
Moderators
Moderator
Peter Jolapamo
Managing Partner, Alirity
Moderator
Nadia Ahmed Abdalla Mwidau
Director of Africa Communications, CorpsAfrica (EA Fellow)
Moderator
Prof. Ernest Kofi Abotsi
Dean, UPSA Law School
The Experience
Throughout the Convening
Experience strategic networking opportunities, curated exhibitions, bilateral meetings, cultural showcases and cross-sector conversations designed to foster meaningful collaboration beyond the conference.
Leadership
Capital
Culture
Action
Engage the Leaders Shaping Africa's Future
Share the room with Heads of State, ministers, traditional leaders, investors, development partners, entrepreneurs, creatives, youth leaders and policy experts working together to strengthen Africa's governance, trade and global influence.
Build Strategic Relationships
Connect with influential leaders, institutions and organisations driving policy, investment and innovation across Africa.
Gain Insights into Africa's Emerging Opportunities
Explore conversations shaping governance, trade, investment, innovation and the creative economy across the continent.
Expand Cross-Sector Collaboration
Develop relationships across government, business, development institutions, civil society and the African diaspora that create opportunities beyond the convening.
Leave with Actionable Outcomes
Gain practical insights, policy perspectives, strategic partnerships and access to initiatives that continue long after the convening concludes.
Convening Agenda
Two days of leadership, trade, creativity and action.
Explore the key sessions planned across two days of the convening.
Governance, Trade & Continental Leadership
Delegate Arrival, Registration & Opening Ceremony
Guest reception, cultural procession, national moments and the official call to order.
Welcome, Goodwill Messages & Keynote Addresses
Convening introduction, host remarks, goodwill messages and high-level keynote addresses from invited African leaders.
Presidential Roundtable on African Leadership
A leadership conversation on governance, continental cooperation and Africa's role in shaping the global future.
Networking Lunch
Dedicated time for delegate networking, relationship building and hosted meetings.
AfCFTA & Trade Governance Dialogue
Keynotes and panel discussion on implementation, regional integration and the road to 2030.
Doing Business in Africa
A plenary on investment, enterprise, trade finance and practical pathways for doing business across the continent.
Day 1 Closing Plenary
Priorities, pledges and reflections that set the stage for the second day.
Creative Economy, Youth & Continental Action
Registration & Threads of Africa Exhibition Opens
Morning arrival, exhibition access and networking with creatives, founders and partners.
Creative Economy Opening Addresses
Opening remarks and keynote addresses on African tradition, creativity, tourism, culture and trade.
From Soft Power to Hard Currency
A high-level plenary on Africa's music, film, fashion and digital content as strategic trade assets, followed by Threads of Africa awards and partnership moments.
Tea Break & Networking
A short reset for delegates to connect, visit exhibitions and prepare for the next plenaries.
Deal Room for Founders & Investors
A focused investment and founder engagement space running alongside the main programme.
Diaspora, Youth & Leadership Plenaries
Sessions on Africa and her diaspora, leadership pathways and the role of emerging leaders in continental transformation.
Networking Lunch
Delegate networking and informal meetings across sectors.
Breakout Sessions & Policy Labs
Focused sessions on digital sovereignty and AI governance, youth-to-work pathways, leadership in practice and African value chains.
Closing Ceremony
Closing formalities, the Accra Declaration and key convening announcements.
Kings' Banquet
An evening gathering for invited guests and eligible pass holders.
Our Partners
Together, defining Africa's future.
Headline Sponsor
Strategic Partners
Travelling to Accra?Access official delegate flight offers from Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.
View Travel & Stay Offers
Access
In-person review
Request your place at the Convening.
Travelling to Accra?Access official delegate flight offers from Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.
View Travel & Stay Offers
Request In Person Access
Submit your details to be considered for in-person attendance at the Elevate Africa Convening 2026.
- Limited in-person access is reviewed by the Convening team
- Approved delegates will receive a confirmed pass by email
- Access categories are assigned based on availability and delegate profile
Virtual
Free
Complimentary virtual pass
- Live-streamed plenaries and selected panels
- Digital delegate pack
- 60-day access to session recordings