Ghana to host 16th African Economic Summit in Accra

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada

ACCRA, Ghana — Ghana has been selected to host the 16th African Economic Summit, a major continental gathering expected to bring together hundreds of investors, entrepreneurs, government officials and diaspora business leaders to strengthen Africa’s investment ecosystem and accelerate economic partnerships.

The summit, scheduled for September 18, 2026, will take place at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra under the theme “Scaling Investment Partnerships within Ghana.” Organisers say the event will serve as a strategic platform for connecting African businesses with international capital while promoting Ghana as a gateway to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Positioning Ghana as Africa’s investment gateway

Ghana’s hosting of the summit reflects its growing reputation as one of the continent’s leading destinations for trade, innovation and cross-border investment. The event is being coordinated by the Ghanaian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Friends of Africa Coalition, with strong participation expected from business communities in Ghana, Canada and across the African diaspora.

Organisers say the summit aims to transform traditional networking events into practical investment opportunities by creating direct links between entrepreneurs, venture capital firms, financial institutions and policymakers. Rather than focusing solely on dialogue, the gathering will emphasize deal-making, partnerships and long-term commercial collaboration.

What to expect at the summit

Delegates will participate in a series of high-level discussions and business forums designed to address Africa’s evolving economic landscape. Key areas of focus include:

A dedicated marketplace will also showcase African products, technology solutions and innovative businesses, allowing entrepreneurs to engage directly with potential buyers and investors.

Why the summit matters

The African Economic Summit comes at a time when governments across the continent are seeking stronger intra-African trade and reduced dependence on external markets. With the AfCFTA creating the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries, business leaders increasingly view collaboration within Africa as essential for sustainable economic growth.

For Ghana, hosting the summit reinforces its ambition to become a regional hub for finance, manufacturing, logistics and innovation. The country already hosts the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra and continues to position itself as a preferred destination for international conferences and investment initiatives.

Diaspora expected to play a major role

One of the summit’s defining features will be the significant involvement of the African diaspora, particularly investors and business executives from Canada. Organisers believe diaspora communities possess the capital, expertise and global networks needed to accelerate industrial growth and create jobs across the continent.

The summit is expected to attract participants from multiple African countries alongside international development partners, financial institutions and private-sector leaders committed to expanding investment across Africa.

Summit at a glance