APD 2026 pushes firmly on women, SMEs and “borderless Africa”
Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026 with “over 7,000 delegates from 104 countries,” placed a firm spotlight on women, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the vision of a borderless Africa as central drivers of the continent’s economic transformation.
It was held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) in Accra, Ghana, under the theme “Empowering SMEs, Women, and Youth in Africa’s Single Market: Innovate. Collaborate. Trade”.
The dialogues convened heads of state, policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and a representative of TheAfricanDream Consultancy, to advance the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and strengthen collaboration toward a more integrated and competitive African single market.
The dialogues, organised by the Africa Prosperity Network, are designed as a platform for shaping practical actions that will accelerate intra-African trade, strengthen industrialisation, and deepen collaboration between governments and the private sector.
The 2026 edition focused on ensuring that the AfCFTA moves beyond policy commitments into implementation, with particular attention to financing, innovation, cross-border trade, and inclusive economic participation.
‘Women Prosperity Dialogue’ took centre stage on day one
The Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026 opened in Accra with a full day dedicated to the Women Prosperity Dialogue, placing women’s leadership, enterprise, and inclusion at the heart of conversations on Africa’s single market and shared economic future.
A welcome address by H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the APN Advisory Council, framed the importance of women’s participation in shaping Africa’s prosperity agenda.
This led into opening remarks from Dr Sydney Vanderpuye of EBID, Samantha Cohen of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe of Fidelity Bank Nigeria, and Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, Governor of the Bank of Ghana. MC Jerry Adjorlolo hosted the session.
There was a keynote address by H.E. Amma Twum-Amoah of the African Union Commission, followed by a special guest address from H.E. Ana Afonso Dias Lourenço, First Lady of Angola, and a presidential opening speech delivered by H.E. Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Vice-President of Ghana.
Policy discussions began with Session One: “Building an Inclusive AfCFTA.” The panel examined implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade and strategies to eliminate structural barriers to finance, technology, and market access. Panellists included Prof. Abena Busia, Dr. Amany Asfour, Dr. Joy Kategekwa, Patricia Obo-Nai, and H.E. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, moderated by Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie.
Session Two: “From Boardrooms to Borders: Women Driving AfCFTA Agenda” highlighted women leaders shaping Africa’s economic trajectory through innovation, cross-border collaboration, and mentorship. Speakers included Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Patricia Poku Diaby, Pearl Nkrumah, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, and Prof. Marie-Line Sephocle, with moderation by Tshegofatso Motaung.
A fashion showcase by Avonsige Fashion House provided a creative interlude before Session Three: “Value Addition and Export-Readiness for the Continental Market – Made in Africa by African Women.” The discussion focused on strengthening women-led enterprises through financing, processing capacity, innovation, and regional value chains.
Context was set by Briggette Harrington, while panellists included Dr. Fatima Farouk Elsheikh, Gwen Mwaba, Ayisha Ayensu, Nontokozo Mangquku, and Waithira Mugo. Claudia Lumor moderated the session, which concluded with a group photograph.
The programme also featured “African Icon: A Celebration of Her Story (AFAWA),” a visual tribute highlighting women driving transformation across business, policy, and society, alongside another African-style fashion showcase by Avonsige Fashion House.
Day One closed with a wrap-up by Nana Adjoa Hackman, Executive Director of APN, who reinforced the central message of the Women Prosperity Dialogue: that Africa’s future prosperity depends on empowering women as leaders, entrepreneurs, and key actors in the AfCFTA era.
Day two’s ‘SME Scale-Up Dialogue’ drove conversations on trade
Day Two of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026 shifted focus to the SME Scale-Up Dialogue, spotlighting the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in advancing trade, industrialisation, and economic integration across Africa’s single market.
The day formally opened with highlights from Day One and a welcome address by Sidig Faroug El Toum, CEO of the Africa Prosperity Network. Opening presentations came from Frédéric Duranton of Mantrac Group, Dr. Daniel McKorley of McDan Group, and Yang Yang of Zonda Tec Ghana.
Keynote statements followed from Ghana’s Minister for the Interior, Hon. Mutaka Mohammed-Mubarak, and Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry. A documentary on APD 2026 preceded the day’s technical sessions.
Session Four: “Financing, Markets and Cross-Border Value Chains for SMEs” examined practical strategies to help SMEs access finance, digital tools, and new markets. A presentation by Elvis Ebeh of the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS) set the context, while Tilda Mmegwa delivered a sub-keynote on sustainable finance for SME growth.
Panellists including Faith Chelangat, Dr. Jasper Ebiekure Eradiri, Sulley Amin Abubakar, Boatemaa D. Barfour-Awuah, Dr. Wanida Lewis, and Abdul Razak Baba, discussed financial models, partnerships, and supply chain opportunities across Africa’s 1.5-billion-person market. Brenda Wagura moderated.
Session Five: “Enabling Free Movement of People, Goods, and Services for SMEs in Cross-border Trade” explored policy reforms, customs harmonisation, and digital payment innovations as enablers of continental commerce.
Joy Kategekwa presented the Africa Visa Openness Index, while panellists including Ziad Hamoui, Robert Ahomka-Lindsay, Muhammad Sillah, Tsonam Akpeloo, Bathsheba Asati, and Ras Mubarak highlighted private-sector collaboration and regional integration. Dorcas Uaciquete moderated.
The programme transitioned into a welcome address by Nana Adjoa Hackman preceding remarks from Theresa Oparebea Ayoade, Richard Nii Armah Quaye, Prof. Kobby Mensah, Dr. Wilfred Ochan, and Hon. George Opare Addo, Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment.
Session Six: “Africa Without Borders: The Digital and Creative Economy as Drivers of Africa’s Single Market and Global Soft Power” examined how Africa’s youthful population is leveraging digital platforms and creative industries to drive economic integration.
Context was provided by Osman Ayariga, with contributions from Kwame Oppong, Deborah Asmah, Iphie Chuks-Adizue, Kuukua Eshun, Sadiq Abdulai Abu, Agwu Kalu Ibe, Ilamosi Ekenimoh, and Gillian Darko. The session was moderated by Amani Asha.
The session preceded the unveiling of the “Make Africa Borderless Now” logo, where the winner, Ghanaian Felix Frimpong, selected from a pool of thousands of submissions across Africa, was awarded a $1,000 cash prize.
It led into Session Seven: “Owning the AfCFTA Narrative: Empowering the Youth as Solution Creators in Driving Africa’s Industrialisation.” Panellists including Amos Kwizera, Masego Glen Moagi, Dieketseng Nzhadzhaba, Siita Sofo Hissan, Jeffrey Nyarko, and Illian Bongo discussed youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and manufacturing as drivers of Africa’s industrial transformation. Jacinta Kiruthi moderated.
Together, the SME Scale-Up Dialogue reinforced the critical role of small businesses and youth-led enterprises as engines of growth, trade, and job creation.
‘Presidential & Business Leaders’ Dialogue’ rounds up APD 2026
The Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026 concluded in Accra with the Presidential & Business Leaders’ Dialogue, bringing together heads of state, ministers, and top executives to consolidate outcomes from earlier sessions and advance a collective vision for a borderless, integrated African economy.
Christal M. Jackson of the APN Advisory Council delivered the welcome address and presented the draft outcome document drawn from the Women Prosperity Dialogue and the SME Scale-Up Dialogue, outlining key recommendations and priorities for implementation.
Messages from partners featured prominently, with contributions from Moh Damush of Telecel Group, Alex Dadey of KGL Group, and Dr. Fatima El Sheikh of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
This was followed by sponsor acknowledgements and addresses from business leaders and institutional heads, including Olakunle Williams of Tetracore Group, Afrobeats artiste and entrepreneur Mr Eazi, and Dr. Bimal Kantaria of Elgon Kenya.
A thematic APD 2026 video provided further context before additional remarks from Admassu Tadese of the Trade and Development Bank, Dr. George Elombi of Afreximbank, and Babajide Sodipo of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions.
A solo performance by Chief Moomen preceded addresses from invited political leaders and representatives, including Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Leader of Parliament in Ghana; H.E. Amb. Amma Adomaa Twum-Amoah of the African Union Commission; H.E. Badanam Patoki, Minister of Economy and Strategic Monitoring of Togo; and H.E. Alexandre Barro Chambrier, Vice President of Gabon.
One of the defining moments of the day was the launch of the “Make Africa Borderless Now” movement, which combined cultural storytelling and policy advocacy. The segment featured a spoken word performance by Princess Fathia Nkrumah, a hologram presentation honouring Kwame Nkrumah, a keynote speech by P.L.O. Lumumba, and a documentary highlighting twelve pillars of the borderless Africa agenda.
Remarks by Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Founder and Executive Chairman of APN, reinforced the movement’s call for continental integration, while Chief Moomen delivered a major performance centred on the vision of a borderless Africa.
A call to action followed, led by H.E. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the APN Advisory Council and former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, who presented a draft compact aimed at strengthening commitments to trade integration, mobility, and economic collaboration across the continent.
The event concluded with a ceremonial group photograph and torch-lighting led by Dr. Amany Asfour, President of the Africa Business Council, symbolising a shared commitment to Africa’s economic transformation.
Across the three days, the central message remained that Africa’s prosperity depends on the successful implementation of the AfCFTA, the empowerment of women and youth, and the ability of SMEs to scale, innovate, and trade across borders.
Closing remarks marked the end of APD 2026, capping three days of dialogue focused on women’s empowerment, SME growth, and high-level leadership collaboration to drive Africa’s single market and prosperity agenda forward.
Written by Abeeb Lekan Sodiq
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is the Managing Editor of theafricandream.net, a pan-African news website subsidiary of US-based TheAfricanDream LLC. He is also a Human Resource Practitioner, and a freelance Graphics Designer. He has worked with prominent personalities, including ambassadors, secretariats, international organisations, universities, celebrities, NGO, and media firms.
