Experts Talk About African Development at AFEA 2026 Conference

Policy experts, academics, and researchers say that good public policy and smart debt management can lead to better governance in Africa.

They shared these thoughts at the recent African Finance and Economics (AFEA) 2026 conference in Abuja, which took place from July 3 to July 5.

Evans Osabuohein, a professor of economics, told PREMIUM TIMES that the event focused on public policy and debt management. He explained that these issues impact human capital development in Africa.

"It is about how public debt can be managed more efficiently in Africa, so that we can tap into the resources for human capital and energy efficiency in this age of innovation. We need human resources that are well-skilled, equipped, and knowledgeable to harness such potential that technology like artificial intelligence present today," he said.

"Debt is not bad in itself; the issue is when debt is borrowed but is not used for capital investment, the servicing of debt becomes a burden. We have seen this in most African countries where some of the borrowings are not geared towards human capital development," he added.

Mr Osabuohein, who is also a board member of AFEA, said that it would benefit both governments and citizens if public debt is used wisely. He noted that executing projects can create jobs for the people.

The three-day international conference, organized by the faculty of arts and social sciences at Nile University Abuja, brought together scholars, policymakers, and industry experts in economics.

With the theme ‘Africa’s Geoeconomic Development Agenda in a Global Realignment Era’, the conference aimed to provide expert insights on changing geopolitics, climate risk, and development finance across the continent. Participants came from Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, and more.

Dignitaries at the event included Emotimo Agama, director-general of the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC); Tope Fasua, an economic adviser to President Bola Tinubu; and Tony Okpanachi, managing director of the Development Bank of Nigeria.

Premium Times covered breakout sessions where participants shared papers on topics like debt sustainability, global financial and health governance systems, digital service delivery, mobile money, financial inclusion, and continental digital markets.

Some sessions also looked at youth, gender, demographic change, and inclusive development, as well as migration, urbanization, and spatial inequality, with a focus on Africa-West relations.

Each session featured discussions that allowed presenters to engage with their audience on how to improve their research work.

Abogede Marietu, a PhD candidate of economics at Nile University, found the conference impactful. She said it provided her a chance to learn from scholars in her field.

"Today is actually my first time presenting my work at an international conference, and I think that gives visibility to my work. I have also got to learn from other presenters," she said.

"It is my earnest desire that the government in Africa would look into the policies that myself and other presenters have come up with, so as to improve the economy, and also aid the livelihood of the citizens of the continent," she added.

Another presenter, Ropheka Bot, called the discussions at the conference "very timely and engaging as experts gathered to discuss current global issues."

Mrs Bot, who teaches at Bingham University, Karu, hopes that African governments will use their research findings to boost development on the continent.

The African Finance and Economics Association (AFEA) is a forum for academics and practitioners in finance, economics, and related fields focused on Africa's development.

Its goal is to empower the continent through financial growth and sustainable development. AFEA promotes the sharing of ideas and information among professionals in the field while supporting research on modern African development issues.

Majune Socrates serves as president, while Gbadebo Odularu is the chairman of the board for the organization.