“Time has come for Africa to take up the pen and write its own future,” declared Queen Olori Atuwatse III – co-founder of Elevate Africa – in Accra on Monday, during the unveiling of the 2026 Elevate Africa Annual Convening, scheduled for October 28–29 in the Ghanaian capital.
Centred on the theme “Africa Defines Its Future,” this third edition will bring together political leaders, traditional rulers, investors, creators, and representatives of the diaspora to focus on African leadership, economic integration, and solutions driven by Africans themselves.
Promoting African solutions
Outlining the platform’s objectives, the Queen of the Warri Kingdom in southern Nigeria highlighted three priorities: championing African-led solutions, fostering connections between leaders and creators, and developing talent across the continent.
“We are not complaining; rather, we are adopting a mindset focused on amplifying the solutions that Africa already possesses,” she stated, calling for a shift in how Africans perceive their own continent.
According to the Queen, the choice of Accra aligns with Ghana’s Pan-African tradition – a legacy shaped by Kwame Nkrumah, the “Year of Return” initiative, and a commitment to restorative justice. The Ghanaian capital also hosts the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Ghana strengthens ties with the Diaspora
Representing the Ghanaian government, Gladstone Selorm Kofi Dake, Director of Diaspora Affairs, announced the upcoming launch of a new round of citizenship grants for individuals of African descent.
He specified that the authorities would pay particular attention to applicants who contribute to Ghana’s economic development – especially those who have lived and conducted business in the country for several years.
“Africa’s future will certainly not be the same without the Diaspora,” he asserted, also touching upon calls for restorative justice and the restitution of African cultural property.
Economic integration at the heart of the discussions
Speaking on behalf of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), its Director of Strategy, Prince Moses, called for the removal of barriers to the movement of people, capital and goods across the continent.
“The African single market has a population of over 1.5 billion and a combined GDP exceeding $3.4 trillion. Despite this, intra-African trade accounts for only 15-16% of our total trade,” he stated.
He advocated for the implementation of commitments related to the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area), the facilitation of visa-free travel and the rollout of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).
“Africa is a global leader in mobile money, yet it still struggles to facilitate payments between its own countries,” he lamented.
From January 13 to 15, 2027, the APN will host the fifth edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues in Accra, focusing on the free movement of people, cross-border payments, and the expansion of African trade.
Changing the narrative on Africa
Speakers also emphasized the need to transform how the continent is portrayed in international media.
Grace Nelson, an alumna of the Elevate Africa Fellowship, denounced persistent stereotypes and called for greater visibility for African success stories.
“If people are to see Africa differently, it begins with you and me,” she said, emphasizing that such gatherings must lead to concrete actions.
Kim Schofield, a U.S. state representative from Georgia, also highlighted the importance of the ties between Africa and the African American diaspora.
“Until Africa is whole, African Americans will never be whole,” she went on to say.
Emmanuel Ikubese, a member of the training programme’s 2026 cohort, advocated for collaboration among African professionals, arguing that the continent’s development relies on collective intelligence and the mobilisation of its talent.
An anticipated declaration in Accra
The gathering is expected to culminate in the “Accra Declaration,” a youth statement and a policy brief on the creative economy.
The organisers also plan to launch the “Trade Desk” – designed to facilitate connections between businesses and investors – as well as the “Africa Ayana” programme, which is dedicated to Africans in the diaspora; applications for this programme are set to open in January 2027.
According to the organisers, Elevate Africa has brought together more than 600 delegates from over 16 countries over the past two years, with events held in locations including Abuja, Nigeria and Gaborone, Botswana. This year’s forum is fully booked, with nearly 1,000 people currently on a waiting list.
AC/fss/gik/APA