Cardoso, Okonjo-Iweala to Headline 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, and the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will headline the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum scheduled to hold in Abuja this week.

The two-day forum, slated for Wednesday, July 29, and Thursday, July 30, will be hosted at the CBN headquarters by the apex bank in partnership with the Emerging Markets Forum (EMF) and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA).

The event is themed “Building Resilience Amidst Geoeconomic Uncertainties.”

A major highlight of the forum will be a high-level fireside dialogue between Cardoso and Okonjo-Iweala, during which the two economic leaders are expected to examine how African economies can navigate growing global uncertainties while sustaining reform momentum and unlocking long-term growth.

Their discussion is also expected to focus on strengthening regional economic integration and building resilience in the face of increasing global economic fragmentation.

The forum will bring together central bank governors, finance ministers, senior government officials, development partners, private-sector leaders, academics and renowned economists from Africa and beyond.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Kingsley Udeh, are also expected to deliver keynote addresses.

According to the organisers, their presentations will highlight the importance of closer coordination between fiscal, monetary and innovation policies in driving Africa's economic transformation and strengthening its long-term resilience.

Other prominent participants expected at the event include the World Bank Group's Chief Economist and Senior Vice-President for Development Economics, Indermit Gill; the Founding Director and Chief Executive of the Emerging Markets Forum, Harinder Kohli; and the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Adamu Ahmed.

The two-day gathering is expected to examine a broad range of issues affecting emerging-market economies, including macroeconomic stability, regional economic integration, cross-border payments, financial technology, infrastructure development, foreign direct investment, technology transfer and artificial intelligence.

Participants will also deliberate on food price volatility, inflation, monetary policy transmission and the challenges confronting fragile and post-crisis economies.

The discussions come against the backdrop of growing global economic fragmentation, geopolitical tensions and uncertainty in international markets, which continue to pose challenges to developing and emerging economies.

The organisers said the forum was designed to promote open dialogue on strategic economic challenges and identify practical, adaptable policy responses capable of strengthening African economies.

They added that the event underscores the commitment of the CBN and its partners to promoting regional cooperation, evidence-based policymaking and innovative solutions that can support sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the continent.