President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio, Ghana’s Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan are among the high-profile African leaders confirmed to attend the 2026 Annual Convening of Elevate Africa in Accra.

The two-day event, scheduled for 28 and 29 October 2026 at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, will bring together presidents, vice presidents, former heads of state, ministers, parliamentarians and policymakers from across Africa and the diaspora.

Held under the theme “Africa: Defining Her Future,” the convening will focus on the continent’s economic and social future, with discussions centred on trade, governance, investment, culture and the creative economy.

Among the confirmed government leaders are Dr Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana.

They will be joined by former heads of state, including Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; H.E. Dr Joyce Banda, former President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius; and H.E. John Kufuor, former President of Ghana.

Ministers confirmed to attend include Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts; Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy and Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Martha Karua, former Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs of Kenya, will also participate in the convening.

Senior representatives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat will also take part.

They include Rui Livramento, Chief of Staff; Dr Tei Kitcher, Senior Trade Economist and Constance Besse-Moser, Senior Advisor to the Secretary-General.

Their participation is expected to contribute to discussions on continental integration, trade and the implementation of Africa’s economic agenda.

Speaking ahead of the convening, Her Royal Majesty Olorì Atuwatsé III, Co-Founder of Elevate Africa, said the event would provide an opportunity for African leaders and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge, experience and ideas on the continent’s future.

“Africa’s future will be defined by leaders who are willing to build across borders, collaborate beyond sectors and generations, and create space for the exchange of knowledge, experience and new ideas between them. This convening is designed to bring those voices into one room to discuss the continent’s challenges and to shape pathways for shared prosperity.”

Between 400 and 600 delegates from across Africa and the diaspora are expected to attend.

Discussions will centre on four interconnected pillars: Leadership and Governance; Trade, Investment and Doing Business in Africa; Youth Opportunity and Leadership; and the Diaspora, Return, Creative Economy and Soft Power.

Sessions will examine the implementation of the AfCFTA, regional investment, creative industries, leadership and governance, youth participation, and the role of the diaspora in Africa’s economic transformation.

Additional heads of state, senior ministers and government dignitaries are in the final stages of confirmation, with further speaker announcements expected ahead of the convening.