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African leaders defy lacklustre global economy to forge ahead with digital transformation collaborations

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Generative AI, finance, infrastructure development and investment among core theme explorations at Africa’s most impactful leadership conference programme

MARRAKECH, Morocco, May 19, 2023/APO Group/ — 

African ministers, government and private sector leaders are set to converge in a powerful cross-continental forum in Marrakech this month to press on with digital transformation alliances as the tech world reorganises itself in the wake of the global digital upheaval.

Against the biggest market correction in recent years, Africa continues to march onwards to empower and unify a continent on the cusp of transformative ICT growth, with the GITEX Africa Digital Summit the new focal point steering a pursuit of a unified digital vision.

The influential summit will spearhead an inspiring conference programme at the inaugural GITEX Africa 2023 – the largest tech and start-up show in the African continent, taking place from 31 May-2 June – unifying 500-plus policy makers, government heads, investors and academics to explore how technology and connectivity are redrawing the boundaries of sustainable social-economic development for African government, business and society.

H.E. Lacina Koné, the Director General and CEO of Smart Africa – the pan-African organisation driving the continent’s digital transformation agenda – is a headline speaker. Koné said digital technologies offer new avenues for economic growth in Africa by accelerating job creation and talent development, supporting access to public services and increasing productivity and innovation.  However, challenges remain.

“The lack of connectivity in remote and rural regions along with insufficient data protection and high cost of African connectivity have brought new challenges to businesses, governments, and people,” said Koné, who oversees the process of defining Africa’s digital agenda in addition to advancing key continental initiatives. “Intra-governmental cooperation is the key enabler of digital services adoption and acceleration, while mitigating these associated challenges across the African continent.”

Koné will be part of a panel at the GITEX Africa Digital Summit titled: ‘Uniting Towards One African Market’.  He will share how Africa’s leaders are building a secure, resilient and sustainable digital future.  “Agile enabling regulations are needed to quickly respond to market developments, facilitating entry of new competitors for the benefit of consumers in a united African continent,” he said.

The GITEX Africa Digital Summit will arrive amid a remarkable period of African ICT and broadband growth, with statistics showing the continent has the world’s fastest-growing internet population, up by 20 percent in just one year. Africa’s digital economy has become one of the main drivers of cross-continental progress, coupled with strong talent development and a spike in public private sector investments.

Jérôme Hénique, CEO for the Middle East & Africa at Orange, France; Tonny Bao, Vice President of Huawei, China; and Saad Toma, General Manager of IBM MENA, are among the foremost private sector leaders speaking about the critical pathways advancing the continent’s digital transformation missions, from building a more digital and inclusive Africa to exploring the social and economic impacts of 5G, or how AI can drive business transformation and sustainability.

Other headliners at Africa’s most impactful leadership conference programme include H.E. Syed Amin Ul Haque, Minister of Information Technology and Communications in Pakistan; and Babajide Sanwo-Olu the Governor of Lagos Nigeria, who will deliver a keynote address on what is accelerating Africa to become the next Silicon Valley.

The state of play in Africa’s digital economy will be another key discussion point, addressed by H.E. Belete Molla, the Minister of Innovation and Technology in Ethiopia; and H.E. Cina Lawson Minister of Digital Economy and Transformation in Togo.

“I am honoured to be part of the GITEX Africa hosted by Morocco,” said H.E. Molla. “It creates opportunities to governments, innovators and leading experts from around the world to discover new ideas, build new partnerships, and connect with inspiring mentors and investors. It would help Ethiopia to get connected to the global tech space and leading players.”

Accelerating the epic race for African AI dominance

The next wave of digital transformation accelerated by the power of generative AI along with AI’s impact on African societies will meanwhile stimulate curious discussions at a dedicated AI track on day three of GITEX Africa, where the brightest minds and most innovative thinkers share their insights on AI’s ability to revolutionise industries, from agriculture to finance.

Dr. Adel Alsharji, Chief Operating Officer at UAE-headquartered Presight, the Middle East’s leading international big data analytics company powered by AI, will deliver the keynote address on the Societal Impact of Artificial Intelligence.

“The societal impact of AI is multifaceted and far-reaching globally, and it is already reshaping sectors, such as healthcare, finance, agriculture, education, and manufacturing and therefore the way we live,” said Dr. Alsharji.

Ensuring equitable access to technology and bridging the digital divide are crucial steps to prepare for AI’s impact in Africa

“The African continent is showing a speedy AI adoption rate and a readiness to explore and harness the potential of AI for driving economic growth and addressing local challenges, ultimately benefiting the greater good of people.

“As AI advances, we can anticipate further innovation and positive applications. It is crucial, however, to embrace AI responsibly, ensuring ethical considerations are in place as we navigate this transformative landscape.”

Mustapha Zaouini, the Chairman of AI in Africa, will speak on a panel on Responsible Generative AI. He said while Africa has unique challenges such as disparity in internet access, the continent is steadily embracing AI.

“Africa is exploring AI to solve pressing issues like poverty, unemployment, and inequality,” said Zaouini.  “However, readiness varies across countries, and there’s a need to invest in infrastructure, education, and policy-making to fully harness this fast-evolving technology.

“Access to AI technologies can level the playing field so it is essential not to be left aside. Ensuring equitable access to technology and bridging the digital divide are crucial steps to prepare for AI’s impact in Africa.”

Digital cities evolution and plotting the path to a net zero future

With the global push towards a net zero economy, technology’s role in advancing sustainability is more important than ever.

A panel at GITEX Africa’s Digital Cities conference track will explore how technology can advance an African-centric Net Zero agenda, addressed by Dr. Shaoshan Liu, Founder and CEO of PerceptIn in the USA; Mohammed Essaidi, MEA Chairman of the Global Cities Alliance, IEEE in Morocco; Laurent Roussel, President of Francophone Africa & Islands at Schneider Electric; and Gilles Babinet, French Government Representative of Digital Champions Group (EU) in France.

Other preeminent speakers at GITEX Africa include Emmanuel Gadret, CEO of Francophone Africa at Deloitte, who will share his insights into charting Africa’s path to prosperity by unlocking economic and data sovereignty; and Dr. Ray Johnson, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute in the UAE, who will dive into generative AI’s ubiquitous role in fuelling economic growth.

A historic launch in the world’s next biggest digital economy

The inaugural GITEX Africa will make its historic debut from 31 May-2 June 2023, welcoming more than 900 exhibitors, start-ups, and visiting delegations from 80 countries for three days of intensive outcome-focused public-private sector collaborations in the world’s next biggest digital economy.

More than 250 hosted investors from 34 countries with US$200 billion worth of assets under management will also seek breakthrough technologies and potential African tech scale-up co-investment opportunities.  As the ultimate start-up incubator and magnet for flourishing VC funds, GITEX Africa will deliver an unmatched scouting platform for these investors, of which 70 percent are coming from outside of Africa.

GITEX Africa is held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and hosted by the Digital Development Agency (ADD), the public entity leading the Moroccan government’s digital transformation agenda under the authority of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform. 

KAOUN International will lead the partnership for this much awaited business endeavour, urging the global tech community to go to Africa, leveraging the power of the trusted GITEX Global brand in Dubai, the world’s largest tech event.

With tech-friendly policies in a continent that is now far more accessible, African investment is rocketing.  Analysts predict the tech market is on track to scale from $115 billion to $712 billion by 2050, while according to Briter Bridges, African start-ups raised a total of US$5.4 billion across 900+ deals in 2022.  Meanwhile, a youthful populace coupled with Africa’s rapid urbanisation is accelerating digital economic growth, with 70 percent of the Sub-Saharan African population under 30 years of age and 45 percent of Africans set to live in cities by 2025.

More information is available at www.GITEXAfrica.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

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Afreximbank Africa Trade Report shows Africa can turn geopolitical disruptions into long-term growth opportunity

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June 25, 2026

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The report highlights Africa’s continued growth resilience despite significant headwinds occasioned by escalating geopolitical tensions and ensuing economic shifts

CAIRO, Egypt, June 24, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has launched the 2026 edition of its flagship African Trade Report themed “Leveraging Geopolitics for Trade and Industrialisation in Global Africa.” The report presents a comprehensive review of trade and economic developments across Africa and globally in the context of the 2025 operating environment, while outlining available strategic options for Africa to transform ongoing geopolitical tensions and associated supply chain disruptions into long-term resilience for growth and shared prosperity across the continent.

 

The report highlights Africa’s continued growth resilience despite significant headwinds occasioned by escalating geopolitical tensions and ensuing economic shifts. Reflecting the continent’s growth resilience, the report shows that while global economic growth slowed to 3.4 percent in 2025 and is projected to further ease to 3.1 percent in 2026, Africa’s real GDP growth strengthened from 3.4 percent in 2024 to 4.5 percent in 2025. This performance not only surpasses the global average but also highlights the continent’s improving economic fundamentals in a fractured world economic order.

Africa’s merchandise trade also delivered strong performance, expanding by 6.1 percent to reach approximately US$1.5 trillion, while aggregate inflation declined sharply from 21.6 percent in 2024 to 13.1 percent 2025. These outcomes reflect the stabilising effects of prudent macroeconomic management, ongoing policy and institutional reforms, and the countercyclical interventions of development finance institutions across the continent.

Commenting on the Africa Trade Report’s findings, Dr Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist and Managing Director of Research and Trade Intelligence at Afreximbank, said:

By strategically leveraging these shifts, Africa can build a more resilient, competitive and inclusive economic future

“Africa stands at a critical juncture. Geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation are reshaping global trade patterns, but they also present a historic opportunity for the continent. By strategically leveraging these shifts, Africa can build a more resilient, competitive and inclusive economic future.

“It is imperative for the continent to act decisively to strengthen regional value chains, deepen industrial capacity, expand access to trade finance, and accelerate continental integration. Through coordinated policy action, strategic infrastructure investment, and stronger development finance institutions, Africa can build a more resilient, inclusive, and value-added trade ecosystem. Africa cannot afford to delay.”

The report further highlights that Africa’s export performance remains constrained by a persistent trade finance gap, estimated at approximately US$74 billion in 2025. The challenge is exacerbated by limited foreign exchange liquidity and the continued decline in correspondent banking relationships, factors that restrict the continent’s capacity to fully realise its trade and industrial potential.

At the same time, evolving shipping routes and prolonged disruptions to global logistics networks continue to extend delivery timelines and increase freight and trading costs. These pressures are particularly acute for African economies that remain heavily reliant on imported inputs and external markets, even as global supply chains increasingly reconfigure toward resilience, diversification, and emergence of alternative production hubs.

The report also outlines several strategic priorities, including the accelerated implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the expansion of digital payments infrastructure through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), and coordinated reforms to the global financial architecture. It further underscores the growing role of African financial institutions in strengthening economic resilience. Afreximbank, a founding member of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), disbursed US$17.5 billion in 2024 and is working to double intra-African trade finance by 2026. Meanwhile, Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is already helping to reduce transaction costs and lessen reliance on foreign currencies across the continent.

As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global supply chains and trade patterns, the continent’s ability to leverage these shifts will depend on strengthening industrial ecosystems, expanding intra-African trade, and sustaining coordinated financial support. Ultimately, a combination of adaptive policy frameworks, strategic trade positioning, and robust direct foreign investment interventions will be central to driving a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable industrialisation pathway for Global Africa. The imperative now is to act with ambition and urgency. This would require accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), expanding intra-African trade finance, strengthening transport and logistics infrastructure, and deepening digital payment systems through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).

The full report can be downloaded here:  https://apo-opa.co/4xNkbFx

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

 

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Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Institute Strengthens Global Partnerships through Strategic Bilateral Engagements at 2026 Group Annual Meetings

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June 25, 2026

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The meetings reaffirmed IsDBI’s commitment to advancing Islamic economics and finance as a catalyst for sustainable development, innovation, financial inclusion, and economic transformation across Member Countries and beyond

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org/) successfully conducted a series of bilateral meetings with government institutions, multilateral organizations, financial regulators, academic institutions, development agencies, and industry leaders on the sidelines of the 2026 IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Baku, Azerbaijan.

 

The meetings reaffirmed IsDBI’s commitment to advancing Islamic economics and finance as a catalyst for sustainable development, innovation, financial inclusion, and economic transformation across Member Countries and beyond.

The engagements covered a wide spectrum of strategic themes, including Islamic finance ecosystem development, regulatory and legislative reform, capacity building, sukuk market development, Islamic social finance, digital transformation, fintech, sustainable finance, waqf innovation, and knowledge partnerships.

Among the key engagements were discussions with representatives from the Governments of Tajikistan, Libya, Maldives, Türkiye, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone on strengthening Islamic finance ecosystems through technical assistance, regulatory enhancement, and institutional capacity development.

The Institute also met with leading international organizations and standard-setting bodies, including the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), AAOIFI, the Eurasian Development Bank, and the Islamic Microfinance Development Fund (FDMI). The meetings explored avenues for collaboration in research, standards development, capacity building, and strategic initiatives aimed at broadening the global reach and impact of Islamic finance.

Several meetings focused on innovation and emerging opportunities, including discussions with Rosatom State Corporation on sustainable financing solutions and sukuk structures, Islamic Money Australia on digital Islamic banking models, and INCEIF University on Islamic social finance data, waqf tokenization, and applied research collaboration.

The Institute also explored partnerships with organizations from Brazil, Palestine, Somalia, Senegal, Djibouti, and the private sector to advance knowledge dissemination, capacity-building programs, blended Islamic finance solutions, cash waqf digitalization initiatives, and investment-related research.

Commenting on the outcomes of the engagements, the Institute’s team, led by Acting Director General, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, noted that the meetings reflected the growing global interest in leveraging Islamic economics and finance to address contemporary development challenges and unlock new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth.

The discussions generated a pipeline of follow-up initiatives, including technical assistance programs, joint research projects, capacity-building activities, policy advisory support, and collaborative knowledge-sharing platforms.

The 2026 IsDB Group Annual Meetings provided a valuable platform for strengthening existing partnerships, establishing new strategic relationships, and advancing the Institute’s mission of promoting innovative, impactful, and development-oriented Islamic economics and finance solutions worldwide.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

 

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Nigeria Accelerates $750B Mining Vision Ahead of African Mining Week (AMW) 2026

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June 25, 2026

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African Mining Week will showcase opportunities within Nigeria’s mining value chain as the country seeks capital to unlock its $750 billion worth of untapped mineral deposits

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 24, 2026/APO Group/ –Nigeria’s mining sector is entering a new phase of growth as regulatory reforms, downstream investments and international partnerships strengthen investor confidence in one of Africa’s largest untapped mineral markets. The country’s solid minerals sector has secured approximately $3 billion in investments over the past three years, reflecting growing investor confidence as the West African nation seeks to bridge the financing gap hindering large-scale mining development.

 

The investment milestone comes as Nigeria deepens engagement with investors to unlock its estimated $750 billion in untapped mineral resources. The country is targeting an increase in mining’s contribution to GDP to 10%, creating lucrative investment opportunities for global mining industry players.

These developments come as African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 – Africa’s Most Influential Mining Conference, taking place in Cape Town from October 14-16 – prepares to showcase Nigeria’s expanding project pipeline and investment opportunities. Through dedicated country sessions, project showcases and executive networking, the event will connect international investors with Nigerian policymakers, mining companies and service providers driving the country’s mining transformation.

Nigeria’s expanding investment pipeline is a testament to its drive to strengthen partnerships. In June 2026, indigenous company Romulus Mining announced plans to increase investments across its gold and lithium portfolio from approximately $50 million to $150 million over the next three years, underscoring growing private sector confidence in the country’s mining outlook.

A partnership deal signed with Turkey in May 2026 is expected to support cooperation in geological exploration, mining technologies, digitalization and capacity building, while creating new opportunities for Turkish investment and technical expertise across Nigeria’s mining value chain.

Meanwhile, the advancement of several downstream projects – including a $600 million lithium processing facility in Nasarawa State and a $200 million lithium processing plant in Abuja – underscores Nigeria’s commitment to boosting mineral production and supporting industrialization.

Amid these developments, AMW 2026 provides a timely platform for investors seeking to capitalize on one of Africa’s most promising mining markets. The event will facilitate strategic partnerships that support exploration, mineral processing and long-term industry growth, reinforcing Nigeria’s ambition to develop a $1 billion economy by 2030 on the back of its mining industry.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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