Accra, Ghana//-The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) is proud to announce that a defining highlight of the upcoming Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026 will be a keynote address by Dr Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
The fourth of the annual Africa Prosperity Dialogues will take place at the Accra International Conference Centre, 4-6 February 2026, under the distinguished patronage of HE President John Dramani Mahama.
Dr Ould Tah, who assumed office in September 2025, has swiftly emerged as a dynamic force in continental finance. His leadership was profoundly demonstrated within his first 100 days, as he successfully secured a historic $11 billion replenishment for the African Development Fund (ADF), the largest in the institution’s 53-year history. This remarkable achievement was secured against a backdrop of severe global fiscal constraints and shifting donor priorities.
Dr Ould Tah will address the theme of APD 2026: “Empowering SMEs, Women and Youth for Africa’s Single Market” and take the opportunity to lay out his vision of enhancing AFDB’s support for and partnership with Africa’s private sector to deepen development and prosperity.
A particularly notable aspect of his success in his first 100 days has been Dr Tah’s adept navigation of a significant funding challenge.
Following the withdrawal of a major traditional partner, a scenario that could have been disastrous for the Fund’s ambitions, he effectively mobilised a powerful coalition of 43 global and African partners to not only plug the gap but significantly exceed previous funding levels.
In a powerful symbol of a new era, 23 African nations themselves stepped up as contributors, signalling a decisive shift from the continent being solely a beneficiary to becoming a co-investor in its own future.
“This is not just a replenishment, but a turning point,” stated Dr Tah following the landmark pledging session. His strategic vision focuses on leveraging concessional resources to attract larger volumes of private capital, ensuring that every dollar deployed has a multiplied impact on the ground.
The APN is thrilled to host Dr Ould Tah at APD 2026, where he will share his insights on mobilising resources, fostering public-private synergies, and accelerating the practical implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
His address is expected to chart a concrete pathway for transforming political commitments into tangible prosperity for all Africans, as the organisers plan to use the platform to mobilise broader public support among Africans for the implementation of the various African Union protocols and treaties designed to facilitate free movements and boost significantly intra-African trade and economic integration and growth across Africa.
The African Development Bank Group is a proud institutional partner of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to actionable dialogue and collaborative frameworks that will fast-track the “Africa We Want.”
We invite all stakeholders, governments, businesses, financiers, and development institutions to join us at this pivotal gathering to engage with Dr Ould Tah and other continental leaders in shaping a more integrated and prosperous Africa.
