Africa’s Priorities at World Bank Conference in Washington

The World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings are underway, and a rapidly growing forum is gaining prominence in shaping Africa’s engagement with the global economic system. The Africa @ World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings Forum, taking place tomorrow in Washington, D.C., is expected to draw over 200 high-level participants.

Forum Overview

Organized by the Nkafu Policy Institute of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation, in partnership with AUDA-NEPAD, Afrobarometer, and the African Institute for Development Policy, the forum has evolved into a strategic platform. It bridges African priorities with global financial decision-making processes, emphasizing evidence-informed dialogue and actionable policy engagement amid tightening global financing conditions.

Accelerating Africa’s Transformation

This year’s theme, “Accelerating Africa’s Transformation,” reflects the continent’s ambition and the pressures it faces, including rising debt vulnerabilities and constrained fiscal space. The forum aims to move beyond broad narratives and focus on practical solutions to shape policy direction. Opening remarks by Dr. Denis Foretia, Executive Chairman of the Nkafu Policy Institute, and a keynote from Abebe A. Selassie, Director of the African Department at the International Monetary Fund, are anticipated to set the stage for discussions.

Job Creation for Africa’s Youth

Discussions will begin with a focus on job creation for Africa’s rapidly expanding youth population. The panel will feature Dr. Somik Lall, Director of Strategy at The World Bank, policymakers including Monica Musenero of Uganda, labor leader Anne-Cécile Coly, and Linton Mchunu of AUDA-NEPAD. The conversation is expected to explore scalable pathways for employment, including industrial policy, skills development, digital innovation, and financing mechanisms.

Intra-African Trade

The forum will then address intra-African trade and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Speakers including Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi, President and CEO of the African Center for Economic Transformation, Dr. Anit Mukherjee, Hannah Ryder, and Dr. Gero Carletto, will interrogate the AfCFTA’s progress. Discussions will likely highlight barriers such as infrastructure deficits and regulatory fragmentation, while also exploring opportunities in regional value chains, digital trade platforms, and innovative trade financing models.

Health Financing as Economic Strategy

A closely watched discussion will focus on health financing, increasingly viewed as central to economic strategy. The panel includes Alamine Ousmane Mey of Cameroon, Elizabeth Lule, Dr. Olusoji Adeyi, and Heather Ignatius. The discussion is expected to address structural realities shaping health systems, including rising disease burdens, financing gaps, and constraints imposed by debt obligations. Forward-looking solutions, such as improving public expenditure efficiency and mobilizing private sector capital, will also be explored.

Water Security and Sanitation

The forum will conclude with a focus on water security and sanitation. Featuring Albert Zeufack of the World Bank, Alex Money, Erik Harvey, Cheikh Tidiane Dieye of Senegal, Prof. Mahesh Kotecha, Don Christensen, and Ann Thomas of UNICEF, the discussion is expected to explore strategies for unlocking capital through blended finance, institutional reform, and improved governance frameworks.

Networking and Influence

Beyond the formal agenda, the forum’s value lies in its ability to convene key actors for networking and partnership-building. These interactions are expected to shape Africa’s engagement with global institutions. As Africa navigates a complex global economic landscape, the forum is positioning itself as a mechanism for influence, shaping both the tone and substance of Africa’s voice during the Spring Meetings and beyond.