African policymakers, development finance institutions, and business leaders gathered at the Forward Africa Leaders Symposium Global Conversations 2026 in New York to discuss how to turn the continent's digital ambitions into jobs, trade, and economic opportunities. The meeting, held at the Harvard Club during the United Nations General Assembly week, focused on building digital economies that attract investment while expanding access to technology and strengthening regional integration. The symposium was convened in partnership with the African Peer Review Mechanism under the theme "Building the Next Frontier of Africa's Digital Economy."
The discussions were led by senior officials and executives, including Patrick Herminie, president of Seychelles, who emphasized that digital transformation must deliver practical benefits for citizens, particularly through wider access to technology, connectivity, and economic opportunities. Marie Antoinette Rose Quatre, CEO of the APRM Continental Secretariat, called for stronger frameworks to ensure that technological innovation supports development, creates jobs, and allows Africans to retain more value from digital industries. The meeting also brought together Selma Malika Haddadi, deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Lerato Dorothy Mataboge, African Union commissioner for infrastructure and energy.
A key focus of the discussions was how to move from policy commitments to projects that can attract financing. Panel discussions examined ways to build investable digital ecosystems, improve market access, strengthen regional trade, create economic opportunities for young people and migrants, and mobilize funding for infrastructure. The symposium also examined e-governance, digital connectivity, and regional integration, with participants discussing how stronger cooperation across African markets could create better conditions for investment and support the growth of digital businesses.
Hannah Awuku, executive director of the Forward Africa Leaders Symposium, noted that Africa's challenge was no longer a lack of ideas or ambition but the ability to connect leadership and capital with implementation. She emphasized that stronger alignment between governance, capital, and implementation was needed to unlock the continent's full potential. The discussions are expected to contribute to an upcoming APRM study on technological diffusion, adoption, and innovation in Africa, being developed with the African Union Commission's Department of Infrastructure and Energy.
The meeting brought together a range of senior officials and executives, including Marie Laure Akin Olugbade, senior vice president of the African Development Bank, Oliver Alawuba, group managing director and CEO of UBA Group, Banji Fehintola, executive director and head of financial services at Africa Finance Corporation, and Joe Mensah, senior vice president and head of the Ghana business unit at Kosmos Energy. The symposium provided a platform for leaders to share experiences and expertise in driving digital transformation and economic growth.
The discussions also focused on the need for governance systems to keep pace with artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Participants emphasized the importance of creating economic opportunities for young people and migrants, and mobilizing funding for infrastructure. The meeting was seen as a critical step towards building a stronger digital economy in Africa, and the organizers expect the discussions to feed into the FALS Investment Playbook 2026.
The Forward Africa Leaders Symposium Global Conversations 2026 is part of a broader effort to drive economic growth and development in Africa. The meeting's outcomes are expected to contribute to the development of policy recommendations on digital transformation and infrastructure, and proposals for stronger cooperation between governments, investors, and development partners. The symposium's focus on digital economy and investment is seen as critical to unlocking Africa's economic potential and creating jobs and opportunities for its growing population.
Key points
- African policymakers and business leaders call for stronger links between governance, investment, and technology to drive digital economy and create jobs.
- The Forward Africa Leaders Symposium Global Conversations 2026 focused on building digital economies that attract investment while expanding access to technology and strengthening regional integration.
- Stronger alignment between governance, capital, and implementation is needed to unlock Africa's full potential in the digital economy.
