By Joseph Besong
Washington, D.C. — Abebe A. Selassie, Director of the African Department at the International Monetary Fund, will deliver the keynote address at the Africa @ World Bank Spring Meetings forum scheduled for April 15, 2026.
The forum will take place on the sidelines of the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings, bringing together policymakers, investors, development partners, and researchers to discuss Africa’s economic outlook at a time of rising debt pressures and global uncertainty.
Organizers say the forum aims to provide a platform for coordinated engagement during a critical week in global economic decision-making. Outcomes from the Spring Meetings often influence financing conditions, reform priorities, and investment flows affecting African economies.
The event is convened by the Nkafu Policy Institute of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation, in partnership with AUDA-NEPAD, Afrobarometer, and the African Institute for Development Policy.
According to organizers, the forum is designed to address a longstanding challenge of fragmented engagement by African stakeholders during Spring Meetings week. It seeks to align policy positions and strengthen collective influence in discussions with global financial institutions and investors.
Selassie is expected to focus on Africa’s macroeconomic outlook, including debt sustainability, fiscal reforms, and strategies to strengthen economic resilience. His remarks come as many African countries face tightening financial conditions and increasing pressure to implement reforms while supporting growth.
The forum’s agenda will also cover regional trade, youth employment, digital transformation, and health financing.
Discussions on trade will examine progress and challenges related to the African Continental Free Trade Area, including barriers such as infrastructure gaps and regulatory differences. Other sessions will address job creation in the context of technological change, as well as the role of digital systems in improving competitiveness and attracting investment.
Health financing is also expected to feature, with a focus on sustainable funding models to support workforce productivity and long-term economic stability.
In addition, the forum will host the Trailblazer for Africa Award, recognizing leadership with measurable impact on the continent’s development.
Organizers say the initiative builds on a previous edition held during the 2025 Annual Meetings and aims to strengthen Africa’s role in shaping global economic discussions.
The World Bank Group and IMF Spring Meetings are among the most important gatherings in global finance, where key policy decisions and economic outlooks are discussed.
The Africa @ World Bank forum is expected to contribute to these discussions by promoting more coordinated and policy-driven engagement from African stakeholders.
