Artificial intelligence, innovation and digital infrastructure will play a defining role in Africa’s next phase of economic growth, as global development leaders urge governments across the continent to adopt forward-looking strategies capable of unlocking opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.

The call was made at the opening of the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum (AEMF 2026) hosted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Abuja, where policymakers, economists and development institutions examined strategies for strengthening Africa’s economic resilience and competitiveness.

Indermit Gill, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics at the World Bank Group, said artificial intelligence presents significant opportunities for developing economies and should form part of their long-term economic strategies.

Gill urged governments to adopt “bold and forward-looking AI strategies”, arguing that developing economies must position themselves to benefit from the technology as it reshapes productivity, investment and global competitiveness.

The opening day featured a high-level fireside dialogue between Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, who examined global economic shifts and the strategic choices that will influence Africa’s next phase of development. Their discussion considered how African economies can respond to changing global conditions while positioning themselves to benefit from innovation, trade and investment opportunities.

The remarks came as technology emerged as a recurring theme during discussions on the forces transforming the global economy and the policy choices available to African countries seeking to accelerate growth.

The opening day featured a high-level fireside dialogue between Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, who examined global economic shifts and the strategic choices that will influence Africa’s next phase of development.

Their discussion considered how African economies can respond to changing global conditions while positioning themselves to benefit from innovation, trade and investment opportunities.

The forum was opened by Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, CBN Deputy Governor, Corporate Services; Harinder Kohli, Founding Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Emerging Markets Forum; and Chukwuka Onyekwena, who welcomed policymakers and economic leaders from Africa and other regions.

Macroeconomic stability also featured prominently, with a panel on “Navigating Global Shocks: Monetary Policy Challenges for African Central Banks” examining how monetary authorities can respond to inflation, external shocks and economic uncertainty.

Digital transformation was a major focus of a separate panel on “Deepening Regional Economic Integration Through Cross-Border Payments, Fintech, Infrastructure and Policy Coordination.”

The session examined how fintech, digital payments and infrastructure investment can support cross-border trade, strengthen economic connectivity and accelerate regional integration.

The discussions reflect growing recognition that Africa’s digital transformation is increasingly intertwined with its broader economic development ambitions. Digital infrastructure is becoming a foundation for financial inclusion, cross-border commerce and innovation, while emerging technologies such as AI are creating new possibilities for productivity and economic diversification.

For African economies, the challenge will be converting these opportunities into measurable economic gains through investment in connectivity, digital skills, innovation ecosystems and appropriate policy frameworks.

The AEMF 2026 discussions therefore placed technology alongside macroeconomic policy, trade and investment as a critical component of Africa’s competitiveness.

With AI, fintech, digital infrastructure and regional integration featuring prominently on the opening day, the forum underscored a growing consensus that Africa’s ability to compete in the global economy will increasingly depend on how effectively its countries adopt and deploy emerging technologies while building the infrastructure and policies needed to support them.