Trade Resilience & Agency: The 2026 African Economic Conference in Abidjan urged African countries to move from dependency to autonomy, pushing stronger institutions and trade resilience in a multipolar world. Reparations Debate: In Accra, descendants of enslaved Africans said apologies are not enough, calling for reparations, debt relief and structural change beyond symbolic gestures. Education Under Strain: South Africa’s universities are battling billions of rand in unpaid student debt, tightening registration while expanding payment plans. Governance Before Investment: Standard Bank’s Goolam Ballim argued good governance should drive investment, warning South Africa must secure energy supply and keep logistics reforms on track. Migration Crackdown: South Africa says 53,449 migrants have been returned or deported in recent weeks as authorities tighten controls and warn against illegal vigilante searches. Infrastructure Financing: West Africa’s infrastructure gap is pushing governments toward Public-Private Partnerships, with ICRC urging bankable projects and transparent rules. Maternal Health Funding: Africa CDC leaders called for stronger domestic financing and accountability to improve maternal and child health amid shrinking donor support and outbreaks. Diaspora Talent: Nigeria’s Peter Obi urged African leaders to create conditions for diaspora professionals to return and help drive development. Sports & Youth: Ghana secured three UCI cycling events for 2027 and a teenage tennis star will represent Ghana at the Billie Jean King Cup in Botswana.