Abuja: The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced its plans to host a high-level fireside dialogue featuring its Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, and the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the dialogue will be the highlight of the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum (EMF), scheduled for July 29-30.
The dialogue, hosted by the CBN in partnership with the EMF and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), aims to bring together senior policymakers, central bankers, ministers, development partners, private-sector leaders, and leading economists from Africa and beyond. The gathering will focus on examining practical policy responses to address the challenges posed by an uncertain global economic environment.
The theme for this year’s forum, ‘Building Resilience Amidst Geoeconomic Uncertainties,’ underscores the importance of coordinated fiscal, monetary, and innovation policies in advancing Africa’s economic transformation and long-term resilience. The forum will also feature ministerial keynote addresses from Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and Dr. Kingsley Udeh, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The event will also see participation from distinguished figures such as Indermit Gill, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics at the World Bank Group, and Harinder Kohli, Founding Director and Chief Executive of the EMF. Additionally, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, alongside senior policymakers, academics, development partners, and business leaders, will contribute to the discussions over the two-day forum.
Participants will delve into a wide array of issues critical to the future of emerging markets, including macroeconomic stability, regional economic integration, cross-border payments, financial technology, infrastructure, foreign direct investment, technology transfer, and artificial intelligence. The forum will also address the interconnected challenges of food price volatility, inflation, and monetary policy transmission in fragile and post-crisis economies.
According to the organisers, the 7th Africa EMF aims to foster open dialogue on issues of strategic importance to emerging markets and developing economies, while identifying practical policy solutions that can be tailored to the specific circumstances of individual countries. The forum highlights the shared commitment of the CBN and its partners to strengthening regional cooperation, advancing evidence-based policymaking, and promoting innovative solutions that enhance Africa’s resilience and support sustainable, inclusive economic growth.