Africa cannot import its future. Our AI systems must be built here rooted in our data, our realities, and our aspirations
Building the Next Frontier of Africa’s Digital Economy
Global investment patterns are changing. Capital is flowing differently. Trade relationships are evolving. Migration policies are tightening. Supply chains are being redesigned. The institutions that build stronger digital and financial infrastructure today will define tomorrow's global markets.
The 2026 FALS Global Conversations – themed “Investable Africa: Building the Next Frontier of Africa's Digital Economy: Market Access, Migration Governance and Strategic Infrastructure” seeks to unlock strategic investments, foster collaborations, highlight innovative financing approaches and outline key policy recommendations to drive Africa’s economic competitiveness and position the continent as an investment powerhouse while promoting inclusive and sustainable development.
President of the Republic of Seychelles
CEO, APRM
Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Commissioner, Infrastructure and Energy, African union commission
Minister of Digital Economy, Digitalization and Innovation of Gabon
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Republic of South Africa
Minister for Finance, Economic Planning, Trade and Investment, Republic of Seychelles
Minister of Public Service and Administration, Republic of South Africa
CEO & President, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC)
Senior Vice President, AfDB
Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Group
Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), AUC
Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), AUC
Founder and Chairman, OPAIA Group
Senior Vice President and Head of the Ghana Unit, Kosmos Energy
President, Africa Business Council
President, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)
Managing Director, Export Development, Afreximbank
DATA Protection Commissioner, Republic of Kenya
CEO, Development Bank of Southern Africa
Vice President, Corporate Resource, BADEA
DG/CEO OF NITDA
Chief Digital Transformation Officer, Standard Bank Group
Author
Consultant, WorldBank (CGAP)
Former Governor, Bank of Ghana
Futurist and strategic foresight advisor and the founder, WAYE
Managing Partner, Helios Digital Venture
Director, Regional Programmes for Africa, UNDP
Senior Analyst, United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies, UN
Explore how fintech, digital identity, and platform economies can be leveraged to leapfroglegacy systems, strengthen e-governance, and create investable digital ecosystems thatunderpin market access, migration governance, and strategic infrastructure.
Explore how trade corridors, digital platforms, and harmonised governance can make marketaccess the investable frontier, turning integration into scale and returns.
Explore how e-governance, frontier and emerging technologies can help address root causesof irregular migration by creating new economic opportunities within Africa.
Explore financing models and partnerships that can deliver resilient infrastructure forconnectivity, energy sovereignty, and industrial competitiveness, positioning Africa and theCaribbean as investable regions in the global digital economy.
Africa cannot import its future. Our AI systems must be built here rooted in our data, our realities, and our aspirations
When we see all the Natural Resources, Human Resources, we can clearly understand the future is going to be in Africa
In this decisive decade, the hand that holds Africa’s data holds Africa’s future and that hand must be African, and I insist, that hand must be African – It must serve Africa’s prosperity and reflect African value”.
Governance and Innovation must move hand in hand
Our opportunity as the continent of Africa lies in how we ensure that digital transformation becomes the backbone of our development, not a by-product of external interest
A connected and integrated digital economy is fundamental to unlocking intra-African trade, transforming public service delivery, and lowering the cost of doing business across the continent.
