Global leaders convene in London as LSEG opens The Africa Debate 2026

On Wednesday 3 June, London Stock Exchange Group marked the commencement of The Africa Debate 2026 with a market open ceremony. The Africa Debate is Invest Africa’s flagship conference and the UK’s leading platform for high-level engagement on African trade, investment, and policy.

The team celebrating on the balcony at LSEG during the welcome ceremony.

Now in its 12th edition, The Africa Debate returns under the theme Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition, examining how Africa and its international partners can strengthen collaboration amid a rapidly evolving geopolitical and economic landscape. As global markets respond to shifting trade patterns, supply chain diversification, energy transition demands, and technological transformation, Africa is increasingly positioned as a strategic partner in shaping the future global economy.

Held at London’s historic Guildhall, the conference convenes over 500 senior leaders from business, government, finance, and development institutions for a day of strategic dialogue and partnership building. Discussions will explore key themes including industrialisation, infrastructure and logistics, energy and transition minerals, regional trade integration, digital innovation, and capital mobilisation, while highlighting the partnerships needed to drive long-term, sustainable growth across the continent.

Featured Speakers include H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, The Rt. Hon. Baroness Chapman of Darlington, UK Minister of State for International Development and Africa, H.E. Jon Abdulai Jinapor, Minister of Energy & Green Transition, Republic of Ghana, H.E. Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO, Africa Finance Corporation, Dalu Ajene, CEO & Head of Coverage, Africa, Standard Chartered, Runa Alam, Co-Founder & Chair, Development Partners International, Haytham El Maayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank, Afreximbank, Dr. Awele V. Elumelu, Co-Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Claver Gatete, Under Secretary General & Executive Secretary, UNECA, Amadou Hott, Chair, Africa Advisory Board, Vision Invest, Kola Karim, Group Managing Director & CEO, Shoreline Energy International, Leslie Maasdorp, Chief Executive Officer, British International Investment and Hardy Pemhiwa, President & CEO, Cassava Technologies and Admassu Tadesse, President & Group Managing Director, Trade and Development Bank.

This year’s edition is held in partnership with Africa Finance Corporation, the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, as Headline Partner. Other partners include Absa, Afreximbank, Africa GreenCo, Anglo American, Brand South Africa, Citi, FirstBank UK, Growth Gateway, Invest Durban, London Stock Exchange Group, Manufacturing Africa, Mayor of London, Premier Invest, Rawbank, Société Nationale d’Electricité, S-RM, Standard Bank and Standard Chartered.

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