FT Africa Summit 2026 Targets 3 Growth Pillars as AGOA Expiry Nears

3 articles · Updated · Business Insider Africa · Aug 24

London’s two-day FT Africa Summit 2026 will center on three levers for durable growth—trade realignment, domestic capital mobilisation and digital infrastructure—as African governments and businesses adapt to a shifting global order.
AGOA’s approaching expiry, evolving US tariff policy and more selective global finance are pushing policymakers to deepen ties with the Gulf, China and India while relying more on regional demand and intra-African commerce.
The AfCFTA offers a framework for larger regional supply chains, but progress still hinges on faster customs, stronger transport links, aligned regulation and payment systems that move goods, services and capital across borders.
Domestic pools of capital—pension funds, insurance reserves, sovereign wealth funds and local markets—are being cast as key funding sources for infrastructure, renewable energy, manufacturing and business expansion.
Technology forms the third pillar: the 2Africa cable and low-earth-orbit satellites are expanding bandwidth, but Africa still needs fibre, data centres, cloud capacity and reliable power to turn connectivity into economic value.