Addis Ababa, February 16, 2026 (FMC) – The Africa Business Forum (ABF) 2026 officially commenced today at Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, bringing together African leaders, top policymakers and private sector executives to mobilize investment and partnerships aimed at accelerating job creation and innovation-driven growth across the continent.
The opening of the forum is being attended by President Taye Atske-Selassie, ECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete, delegates from various African countries, UN officials and other stakeholders.
Convened by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in partnership with the African Union Commission and other key stakeholders, the two-day forum is being held on the margins of the African Union Summit.
Held under the theme “Financing the future of Africa: jobs and innovation for sustainable transformation,” ABF 2026 is repositioned as a leading continental platform for mobilizing blended finance, strengthening innovation ecosystems and unlocking large-scale employment opportunities—particularly for Africa’s rapidly growing youth population.
The forum is convening African Heads of State and Government, senior policymakers, development finance institutions, investors and international partners, alongside leading private sector actors. Discussions are expected to focus on translating political commitments into concrete, bankable projects that can generate sustainable employment and inclusive economic growth.
High-level engagements scheduled during the forum include Presidential Dialogues featuring African leaders and prominent business executives, as well as thematic roundtables centered on job creation, financing Africa’s innovation economy and advancing Afrofuturism as a driver of creative and digital industries.
With millions of young Africans entering the labour market each year, participants are expected to explore scalable investment solutions targeting digital industries, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and the creative sector. Organizers say the 2026 edition aims to move beyond pledges by positioning the youth economy not only as a social priority but also as a strategic investment opportunity.
A key feature of this year’s forum is the launch of the Jobs Wall Commitment Tracker, an ECA-facilitated platform designed to capture and monitor public and private sector commitments announced during the event. The mechanism is intended to enhance accountability, transparency and measurable impact in job creation initiatives across the continent.
The forum will also witness the official launch of the Least Developed Countries Report 2025 by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, which provides new evidence and policy insights aimed at supporting enterprise growth, innovation and employment generation in Africa’s most vulnerable economies.
The Africa Business Forum will continue through 17 February at Africa Hall, with deliberations expected to produce concrete partnership announcements and financing commitments aligned with Africa’s long-term sustainable transformation agenda.