Africa Unites Economists to Forge Homegrown Solutions in a Tumultuous World

In a pivotal move to champion its economic future, Africa has officially launched the African Chief Economists Network (ACE-Network), a new continental platform designed to ensure policymakers across the continent make decisions based on solid research. Unveiled at the recently concluded 2026 African Economic Conference (AEC) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, this network brings together top economic minds to craft coordinated, African-led solutions for the complex global challenges ahead. This initiative couldn't come at a more crucial time. African nations are grappling with a perfect storm of global issues, including increasing geopolitical tensions, fragmentation in world trade, severe climate shocks, and mounting debt pressures. The launch of the ACE-Network directly addresses the urgent need for stronger coordination among Africa's leading economic thinkers as they navigate these interconnected crises and aim to reform the international financial architecture. The network plans to operate as an invitation-only community, fostering a space for chief economists and senior policy advisors to share evidence, coordinate research, identify new risks, and jointly develop policy recommendations for African governments. It aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical policy, ultimately boosting Africa's knowledge sovereignty and its ability to achieve key development goals like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union's Agenda 2063.