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.
L-R: Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization. Image credit: CBN.
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.
Stay ahead with real-time reports, breaking news, and exclusive insights delivered directly to your phone. Don’t settle for outdated information. Join TECHNOLOGYTIMES NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates.
Isaac Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has mocked the All Progressives Congress, APC, over Nyesom Wike’s appointment as campaign coordinator of the FCT and Rivers State.
In a video posted on his verified Facebook page, Fayose said the APC is already confused ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the APC’s recent political maneuvers will not undermine the momentum and the electoral prospect of the Obidients or the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.
“The situation is critical for the APC. Early this morning, they weakly announced Wike to head the campaign in Rivers State and Abuja, just after my video. If you can’t convince them, you can confuse them. They are already confused.
Recommended
“My Obidients, the five governors I earlier said are still with us. They are standing with us. We are going to defeat Wike in Rivers and in Abuja. If they like let them appoint him and reappoint him.
“He will lose in Abuja. He will lose in Rivers because already we are stronger in Rivers and Abuja than the APC,” he said.
The Federal Government has issued a three-day weather forecast warning Nigerians to expect thunderstorms and rainfall across several parts of the country from Monday through Wednesday.
The warning was contained in the latest weather outlook released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in Abuja.
According to the report, there will be varying degrees of rainfall across the northern, North-Central and southern regions.
NiMet also warned that strong winds could occur before thunderstorms in some areas, urging residents to take precautions as the rainy conditions develop.
According to the agency, parts of Taraba, Kebbi and Niger states are expected to experience morning thunderstorms and light rainfall on Monday. The southern region is expected to remain largely cloudy, with isolated showers possible in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
Later in the afternoon and evening, NiMet forecast moderate rainfall and scattered thunderstorms across the North-East, Kaduna, the North-Central region and several southern states.
The weather conditions are expected to continue into Tuesday, with thunderstorms and light-to-moderate rainfall forecast across most parts of the northern region.
NiMet also listed parts of the North-Central region, including the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau states, among areas that could experience thunderstorms and rainfall.
Several parts of the southern region are also expected to record rainfall on Tuesday, with similar weather conditions forecast to persist through Wednesday.
The agency warned that thunderstorms could be accompanied by strong winds, particularly before the onset of rainfall.
NiMet advised members of the public to secure loose objects around their homes and other locations because such objects could be blown away by strong winds.
It also urged motorists to exercise caution and avoid driving during periods of heavy rainfall, particularly when visibility is reduced or roads become difficult to navigate.
“Driving under heavy rain should be avoided,” the agency said.
Residents were further advised to stay away from tall trees during thunderstorms because strong winds could break branches or bring down trees.
NiMet also urged Nigerians to disconnect electrical appliances from power sockets during thunderstorms to reduce the risk associated with lightning and electrical surges.
File Photo: Thunderstorm
“Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets. Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees,” the agency said.
Airline operators were also advised to obtain site-specific weather information from NiMet to support safe planning of flight operations during the forecast period.
In a three-day forecast issued in August, the agency had also predicted thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across different parts of the country, with the affected areas varying from day to day.
During that period, NiMet forecast sunny conditions with patches of clouds and possible early morning thunderstorms across parts of the northern region. Light rainfall was expected in areas including Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Borno, Taraba and Adamawa states.
The agency subsequently predicted thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall across several parts of the North later in the afternoon and evening.
For the North-Central region, the August outlook also included possible thunderstorms and moderate rainfall over parts of Kwara, Niger, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory.
The southern region was expected to remain predominantly cloudy, with rainfall forecast in parts of Oyo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom in the morning and moderate rainfall expected in several other southern states later in the day.
The agency similarly forecast thunderstorms and rainfall across parts of the North and North-Central regions on the following days, while the southern states were expected to experience cloudy conditions and varying levels of rainfall.
NiMet’s latest warning comes as rainfall continues to pose risks to communities vulnerable to flooding and other weather-related hazards.
Residents in flood-prone locations are advised to remain alert, particularly where rainfall becomes prolonged or intense. Motorists are also expected to exercise caution on roads affected by flooding and avoid attempting to cross moving floodwater.
NiMet urged the public to continue monitoring official weather updates throughout the three-day period, particularly in areas where thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected.