Innovate Africa 2026 targets continent’s trillion-dollar economy

Innovate Africa 2026 is set to bring together global policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and industry leaders in Kigali, Rwanda, in October to explore strategies for unlocking Africa’s economic potential and accelerating the continent’s transition towards trillion-dollar economies.

The conference, scheduled for October 12 and 13, 2026, will be held at the Kigali Convention Centre under the theme, “From Declining Finance to Trillion-Dollar Economies.”

According to the organisers, the conference comes at a critical period in Africa’s economic transformation, as the continent seeks to harness its large youthful population, abundant natural resources, expanding digital economy and the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Innovate Africa Corporation, the convener of the conference, said the event would focus on translating Africa’s economic potential into measurable outcomes through strategic partnerships, investment and innovation.

The 2026 conference follows the success of the 2025 edition, which was held in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the organisation’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.

The organisers said the conference has evolved into a high-level platform connecting governments, investors, entrepreneurs, innovators and industry leaders across Africa and beyond.

From Washington, D.C., to Abuja and now Kigali, the platform seeks to facilitate discussions and partnerships capable of driving sustainable economic transformation and strengthening Africa’s position in the global economy.

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According to the organisers, the Kigali conference will place particular emphasis on four strategic sectors identified by the organisers as critical to Africa’s future economic growth: the creative economy, agriculture and food systems, technology at scale, and energy transition.

On the creative economy, discussions will focus on unlocking the economic potential of Africa’s music, film, fashion, media, gaming and other digital industries.

The organisers said greater investment, stronger intellectual property protection and international partnerships would be necessary to transform Africa’s creative industries into globally competitive economic sectors capable of generating jobs, attracting capital and increasing the continent’s export earnings.

The agriculture and food systems segment will examine ways of strengthening food security while creating new economic opportunities through agricultural technology, value addition, climate-smart farming and regional supply chains.

According to the organisers, improving productivity and developing stronger regional agricultural value chains would be essential to reducing food insecurity and enabling African countries to capture greater value from their agricultural resources.

The conference will also explore technology at scale, with discussions expected to focus on fintech, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystems.

The organisers said Africa’s rapidly expanding technology sector offered opportunities to increase productivity, support entrepreneurship, create jobs and improve the continent’s competitiveness in the global economy.

The fourth focus area, energy transition, will examine strategies for expanding access to reliable and sustainable energy while supporting industrialisation, climate resilience and broader economic development.

The organisers said addressing Africa’s energy challenges would be critical to unlocking the potential of businesses and industries across the continent.

The conference is expected to attract Heads of State and government representatives, ministers and policymakers, investors, venture capital firms, family offices, chief executives, entrepreneurs and startup founders.

Development finance institutions, technology companies, agriculture and energy stakeholders, creative industry leaders, academics, researchers, youth leaders and emerging changemakers are also expected to participate.

The two-day event will feature keynote addresses, executive dialogues, investment sessions, startup showcases and strategic networking opportunities.

These engagements, according to the organisers, are expected to facilitate partnerships, investment opportunities and practical solutions to some of Africa’s most pressing economic challenges.

Uloma Onyebuchi, founder of Innovate Africa Corporation and convener of the annual conference, said the continent’s economic future would depend on how effectively African countries and their partners convert existing opportunities into concrete investments and sustainable development.

“Africa’s future will be shaped not only by its potential, but by the partnerships, innovation, and investments made today,” Onyebuchi said.

She described the 2026 conference as a platform for leaders committed to building resilient economies, globally competitive industries and a more prosperous continent.

The organisers said the choice of Kigali as the venue for the 2026 conference was also intended to provide participants with an opportunity to experience the city’s culture and tourism offerings while engaging in discussions around Africa’s economic future.

Innovate Africa Corporation described itself as a pan-African platform focused on promoting innovation, investment, entrepreneurship and economic collaboration across the continent.

Through conferences, strategic partnerships and leadership forums, the organisation said it brings together governments, businesses, investors and innovators to develop solutions aimed at supporting sustainable growth and improving Africa’s global competitiveness.

The organisation said its broader objective was to connect ideas with capital, policy with action, and entrepreneurs with opportunities across key sectors of the African economy.

It added that announcements on speakers and the full agenda for the Kigali conference would be released in the coming weeks.