Valentine Okafor
The launch of African Chief Economists Network (ACE Network), a continent-wide platform is expected to strengthen economic policy coordination and provide governments with faster, evidence-based responses to common economic challenges.
The initiative was designed and unveiled by African policymakers and development institutions during the 2026 African Economic Conference in Abidjan and brings together chief economists from finance ministries, central banks, development finance institutions, think tanks, universities and the private sector.
Established by the African Development Bank, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the network will convene annually alongside the African Economic Conference, supported by quarterly virtual meetings and emergency consultations during periods of major economic disruption.
According to the organizers, the platform will facilitate joint research, identify emerging risks, promote policy dialogue and develop recommendations for African governments on issues including trade, industrialization, debt sustainability, climate finance and macroeconomic stability.
The launch comes as African governments face increasingly interconnected economic challenges that extend beyond national borders.
Rising debt burdens, climate-related shocks, global supply chain disruptions, higher borrowing costs and growing trade fragmentation have heightened the need for coordinated policy responses.
By creating a permanent forum for senior economists to exchange data, compare policy experiences and develop common positions, the network aims to improve the quality and consistency of economic policymaking across the continent.
The initiative is also expected to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which requires closer coordination on trade policy, industrial development, regional infrastructure and value chains. In addition, organizers say the platform will help strengthen Africa’s collective voice in international discussions on reforming the global financial architecture, including sovereign debt restructuring, development finance and climate finance.
The African Development Bank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union have consistently argued that African governments need locally driven economic analysis to address the continent’s development priorities.
At a time when many countries continue to grapple with elevated public debt and increasing climate risks, the ACE Network is intended to improve policy coordination, reduce duplication across institutions and provide governments with timely analysis to support economic decision-making.