Addis Ababa to Host 9th Edition of African Business Forum
Addis Ababa will host the 9th edition of the African Business Forum on February 16 and 17, a major event in the continental economic calendar. Under the theme "Financing Africa's Future: Jobs and Innovation for Sustainable Transformation," the event brings together African leaders, the private sector, and financial institutions to mobilize investments that support the youth economy, strengthen innovation ecosystems, and accelerate sustainable transformation of the continent.
A Platform for High-Level Dialogue
The African Business Forum, organized annually by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and its partners, including the African Union Commission, on the sidelines of the African Union Summit, is a premier platform for high-level dialogue between African heads of state and government, private sector leaders, development finance institutions, and international partners.
Investments for Sustainable Transformation
Over the past eight editions, the Forum has established itself as a reference platform where Africa's most urgent development priorities are addressed and emerging opportunities are examined, with a focus on delivering on commitments, according to the ECA. For 2026, the African Business Forum will be repositioned as the continent's primary platform for facilitating partnerships and mobilizing investments, particularly blended finance, to support the youth economy, notes the ECA.
Focus on Job Creation and Innovation
The theme of the Forum, "Financing Africa's Future: Jobs and Innovation for Sustainable Transformation," will highlight Africa's ability to channel investments, establish partnerships, and formulate policy actions that create jobs, strengthen innovation ecosystems, and unlock creative potential, with a particular focus on digital industries, SMEs, and the expanding African creative economy.
Supporting African Youth
The implementation will rely on two major mechanisms. The first is the African Youth Resilience and Transformation Compact (Ayrtc), a coordinated framework led by a broad coalition that aims to harmonize existing initiatives in financing, innovation, and youth protection, all within a common policy architecture and shared accountability, under the auspices of the ECA. The second is the "Employment Commitment Wall," a platform established by the ECA to track commitments made and progress achieved by governments, development finance institutions, businesses, and foundations.
Context and Justification
Regarding the context justifying the choice of theme for this edition, the ECA notes that Africa is at a critical juncture in its growth trajectory. The continent is home to the world's youngest and most entrepreneurial population, with over 12 million young people entering the job market every year. However, only a fraction of these young people can find decent employment. This structural deficit could lead to greater inequality and erosion of trust in public institutions. At the same time, Africa's youth economy represents the world's largest investment opportunity, market, and productivity gains.
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