APD 2026 in Accra : driving inclusive growth and Africa’s economic integration

From February 4 to 6, 2026, the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana will host the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD 2026), a high-level platform organized by the Africa Prosperity Network (APN). This edition focuses on translating Africa’s integration goals into practical economic opportunities, aligned with the continent-wide agenda of the AfCFTA, which entered into force in 2021. The AfCFTA now covers over 1.4 billion people, offering unprecedented growth potential while highlighting the need for inclusive participation of women, youth, and SMEs.

Despite the formal framework of the AfCFTA, women, young people, and SMEs often face structural barriers that limit access to cross-border trade, financing, and markets. The 2026 APD edition aims to tackle these challenges by creating actionable pathways for economic empowerment. According to APN data, women represent nearly 50% of Africa’s workforce but continue to encounter significant restrictions in access to finance and markets, while youth — comprising over 60% of the population — experience high unemployment even as they increasingly drive technological innovation.

Small and medium-sized enterprises form a critical pillar of Africa’s economy, accounting for roughly 80% of employment and 50% of GDP in many countries, yet only a fraction engage in cross-border trade due to regulatory complexities and logistical constraints. The forum’s agenda emphasizes strategies to bridge these gaps, improve trade facilitation, and enhance access to continental markets.

A forum to turn potential into action

The Africa Prosperity Dialogues go beyond policy discussions, offering a platform for operational collaboration between governments, private investors, financial institutions, and innovators. The 2026 edition will feature thematic panels, roundtables, and interactive sessions aimed at producing actionable policies, bankable projects, and investment-ready opportunities.

A highlight of the event will be the Africa Prosperity Champions Awards (APCA) ceremony on February 6, 2026, recognizing individuals and institutions that have significantly contributed to economic integration, female leadership, technological innovation, and sustainable development across Africa.

Addressing structural challenges

Key discussions will focus on access to finance for SMEs, a critical barrier to continental trade. African SMEs face an estimated financing gap of hundreds of billions of dollars, limiting their capacity to expand beyond domestic markets.

The forum will also explore how digital tools, e-commerce platforms, and innovation hubs can help integrate young entrepreneurs into the AfCFTA market. According to projections from the African Development Bank Group, targeted policies could generate millions of new jobs by 2030 through youth empowerment and increased SME participation.

A pan-African space for cooperation

Traditionally, the Africa Prosperity Dialogues draw a broad spectrum of participants, including heads of state, ministers, private sector leaders, diplomats, and NGOs. The 2026 edition builds on prior success by reinforcing institutional partnerships and aligning discussions with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, promoting inclusive growth, industrialization, and economic sovereignty.

The diversity of speakers and sectors ensures that economic challenges are addressed holistically, incorporating regulatory, financial, social, and technological perspectives.

Towards inclusive prosperity

As Africa’s economic integration continues, APD 2026 represents a pivotal moment to translate AfCFTA ambitions into concrete action. By empowering women, youth, and SMEs with visibility, tools, and market access, the event seeks to transform the single African market into a catalyst for opportunities for a new generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.