The Financial Times has officially announced the 13th annual FT Africa Summit, taking place on October 21–22, 2026, at The Landmark in London. This flagship event will serve as a premier platform for evaluating the continent’s economic trajectory and shaping its strategy on the world stage.
Convening under the theme “Mobilising Growth in a New Global Order,” the two-day summit will bring together African Heads of State, top policymakers, chief executives, global investors, and next-generation entrepreneurs. Delegates will explore actionable strategies to sustain robust economic momentum within an increasingly shifting international landscape.
The 2026 speaker lineup features prominent figures, including Dangote Group President and CEO Aliko Dangote, former Senegal President Macky Sall, and former Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete. Key government leadership will also include UK Minister of State Baroness Jennifer Chapman, Nigerian Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele, and Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Shide.
This year’s gathering occurs during a period of profound realignment in the global trading system. Facing potential US tariff adjustments and the impending expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), African nations are actively working to deepen regional trade, cultivate stronger ties with China, India, and the Gulf, and enhance domestic financial self-reliance.
To translate structural change into lasting economic progress, discussions chaired by senior Financial Times editors will explore domestic capital mobilization, development finance, offshore energy discoveries, critical minerals diplomacy, and the rapid expansion of the digital economy.
The summit agenda will also address key long-term priorities across the continent. Leaders will focus on scaling regional manufacturing, managing rapid urban growth, and preparing for the major demographic shift that will give Africa the world’s largest working-age population by 2050.
Highlighting the event’s broader significance, FT Africa Editor David Pilling noted that as Africa’s growth begins to outpace much of the world, this year’s summit focuses on mobilizing the necessary capital, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships to turn momentum into lasting progress.
Adding to this perspective, FT Foreign Editor Alec Russell emphasized that Africa is navigating one of the most consequential economic shifts in a generation, making London’s role as a global financial center a natural meeting ground for candid dialogue on investment, trade, and innovation.