By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi/ Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
Accra, Ghana – September 18, 2026 — The 16th Friends of Africa (FOA) Summit Global 2026, held under the theme “Scaling Investment Partnerships,” concluded in Accra with a strong focus on entrepreneurship, access to capital, cross-border investment, business partnerships, and economic opportunities between Ghana, Canada, Africa, and the international community.
The three-day programme, which began on Wednesday, September 16, brought together entrepreneurs, investors, government representatives, business leaders, policymakers, development partners, and members of the African diaspora.
Celebrating African Entrepreneurs
The Summit opened on Wednesday with a Pitch Presentation at the Marriott Hotel, Accra, followed on Thursday, September 17, by an exciting pitch session at the Sheraton Hotel, Accra.
The pitch sessions provided entrepreneurs with an opportunity to present innovative business ideas, solutions, and visions aimed at creating businesses, jobs, and opportunities across Africa. The presentations highlighted the creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial potential of Africa’s emerging business leaders.
The FOA Summit recognized a distinguished group of judges whose expertise and experience contributed significantly to the Pitch Contest:
- Mr. Samuel Adu Linck, CEO, ECO International
- Mr. Francis Baham Damka, Head of Virtual Banking and Bancassurance, Absa Ghana
- Mr. Nelson Korshi Da Seglah, Founder and Chief Solutions Architect, Korba
- Mr. Jackson Appiagyei Jnr, Manager, UGBS Innovation and Incubation Hub
- Mr. Theophillius Ayitey-Adjin, CEO, NiiPlant
- Mr. Bright Evans Darko, CEO, Skyflow BS International
- Arc. Olusola Oyelade, Principal Partner, Archi Projects and Major Partner, InVcap Corporation
- Mr. Abioye Oyetunji, CEO and Founder, Clozar Group
The judges provided valuable insight and guidance while evaluating the entrepreneurs and supporting the next generation of African business leaders.
Senior Trade Commissioner. Canadian High Commission In Ghana
Kempinski Hosts Global Business and Investment Dialogue
The Summit’s main programme took place on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the Adlon Ballroom, Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra.
The ballroom brought together business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, government representatives, partners, and delegates from Ghana, Canada, across Africa, and the international community.
The programme opened with a prayer led by Ms. Mary Akuamoah-Boateng, Vice President of the Ghanaian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, followed by opening remarks from distinguished leaders, including:
- Prof. Nii Odoi Yemoh, President, Ghanaian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce
- Ms. Edwina Atta-Sonno, CEO, Canada-Ghana Chamber of Commerce
- Dr. Olutoyin Oyelade, CASA Foundation
- Mr. Waqas Yousafzai, Senior Trade Commissioner, Canadian High Commission in Ghana
- Dr. Jean Augustine, Canada’s First Black Female Minister and former Member of Parliament
- His Worship Patrick Brown, Mayor of the City of Brampton, Canada
Focus on Access to Capital and Cross-Border Investment
A key feature of the Summit was the panel discussion on:
“Government Policies: Fast-Tracking Access to Capital through Diaspora Capital – Connecting Startups & Entrepreneurs: Canada–Africa.”
FOUNDER and EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, KIGDOM EXIM GROUP
The discussion explored the role of government policy, financial institutions, diaspora investment, and strategic partnerships in improving access to capital for African entrepreneurs and businesses.
This was followed by a second panel discussion on:
“Partnership & Growth: Identifying Sectors for Cross-Border Investment.”
The panel brought together perspectives from Ghana, Canada, and the wider African business community, with participation from:
- Mr. Waqas Yousafzai, Senior Trade Commissioner, Canadian High Commission in Ghana
- Dr. Daniel McKorley, Founder, McDan Group
- Mr. Francis Baham Damka, Head of Virtual Banking and Bancassurance, Absa Ghana
- H.E. Fatima Meite, Former Ambassador to Mali in Canada
- Hon. Ayo Owodunni, Chair, Economic Development Council, City of Kitchener, Canada
- Mr. Edward Wiafe, CEO, Landars Developers, Ghana
- Ms. Constance Swaniker, Founder and President, Design and Technology Institute and Director, Africa Leadership Initiative
The discussion was moderated by Prof. Nii Odoi Yemoh, President of the Ghanaian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
CITY COUNCILLOR FOR WARD 5, CITY OF KITCHENER, CANADA
Culture, Networking and Knowledge Sharing
The Summit also celebrated African culture through performances by Nativ Afrik and the Ga Drum Group, adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the programme.
Throughout the day, participants had opportunities to network, exchange ideas, identify business opportunities, and discuss practical solutions to challenges facing small businesses and entrepreneurs.
A Town Hall session, led by Dr. Olutoyin Oyelade, President of the CASA Foundation, provided another opportunity for participants to engage with issues affecting businesses and investment.
The Summit also featured a Question-and-Answer session with government officials, allowing participants to raise questions and seek greater understanding of government policies and opportunities.
Investing in Ghana
The Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA) also participated in the Summit and provided valuable information on investing in Ghana, including opportunities and considerations for investors seeking to establish or expand businesses in the country.
The presentation reinforced the importance of creating stronger connections between investors, government institutions, businesses, and other stakeholders to facilitate investment and economic growth.
From Conversation to Action
The Summit concluded with four interactive breakout discussions designed to move the conversation from ideas to practical solutions.
Participants were divided into four groups to explore:
- Entrepreneurship & Partnerships: Securing Canada–Ghana Partnerships
- Securing Loan Support
- Government Intervention: Retaining Resources
- Managing Business in a Digital World: The Power of AI
These sessions gave participants an opportunity to share experiences, identify challenges, explore solutions, and consider practical pathways for building stronger business and investment partnerships.
Founder, FOA, President and CEO, CASA Foundation, Canada
Celebrating Entrepreneurs and Supporting Business Growth
The programme concluded on a high note with the Awards Presentation for the FOA Pitch Contest, celebrating entrepreneurs who demonstrated innovative ideas, entrepreneurial vision, and strong potential for business growth.
As part of the Pitch Contest, selected entrepreneurs were presented with cheques to support the scaling and further development of their businesses.
The award recipients were:
- Mr. Stephenson Appreku – AGMB Solutions
- Mr. Mensah Bernard – Bernardine Agrisystem
- Mr. Nana Kwame Kyeremateng – Dream Carrier International
The awards represented a practical demonstration of the Summit’s commitment to moving beyond conversations and creating tangible opportunities for African entrepreneurs. By providing financial support to promising businesses, the FOA Pitch Contest sought to help entrepreneurs strengthen their operations, expand their businesses, and contribute to job creation and economic development.
A Platform for Partnership
The Friends of Africa Summit Global 2026 provided a platform for meaningful engagement among the public sector, private sector, investors, entrepreneurs, diaspora communities, and international partners.
The three-day programme demonstrated the importance of creating spaces where ideas can become connections, connections can become partnerships, and partnerships can create investment and economic opportunities.
The Summit’s focus on “Scaling Investment Partnerships” underscored the need for continued collaboration between Ghana, Canada, Africa, and the global business community to unlock capital, strengthen entrepreneurship, promote trade and investment, and support sustainable economic growth.
The organizers expressed their appreciation to all speakers, panelists, judges, government representatives, investors, entrepreneurs, partners, sponsors, delegates, volunteers, performers, and attendees whose contributions helped make FOA Summit Global 2026 a meaningful and impactful gathering.
Friends of Africa Summit Global 2026
Connecting Africa to the World. Creating Opportunities. Scaling Partnerships.
