Africa to play key role in future global economic order, says AfDB chief economist

ABIDJAN, July 18– Africa will play a key role in the future global economic order as the global economic order moves toward multipolarity, Kevin Chika Urama, chief economist and vice president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), has said.

Africa, with its abundant natural resources, demographic potential and development advantages, will play an increasingly important role in global economic governance, Urama told Xinhua in an interview.

The 2026 African Economic Conference was held from July 10 to 12 in Abidjan under the theme “Strengthening Africa’s Geopolitical Agency and Trade Resilience in a Multipolar World.” Researchers, government officials and representatives of regional and international institutions gathered to discuss how Africa can strengthen its strategic autonomy, enhance trade resilience and better participate in global economic governance.

Urama observed that multipolarity provides more countries with opportunities to participate in global governance. “More countries are at the table, and we are going to have more inclusive and greater options for countries to decide on partnerships, on trade relations, and on other things.”