Africa Futures Summit 2026

The 4th annual U.S.-Africa Futures Summit

The 4th U.S.-Africa Futures Summit

Venue: Hotel Hyatt Regency, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Date: August 25, 2026

Time: 9:00am – 5:20pm EST with reception 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

About the Event

The U.S.-Africa Futures Summit was conceptualized in 2023 as a platform to introduce the U.S. Africa policy community in Washington, D.C., to the futures and forecasting work of the Africa Futures Initiative at the Institute for Security Studies. Since then, the event has evolved and expanded to host discussions relevant to U.S. Africa policy by drawing on African Futures research and expert perspectives.

Theme: Africa and the World

This year, the U.S.-Africa Future Summit will be hosted in Addis Ababa on 25th August. Through increased collaboration and centering voices from across the continent, the Summit will create space for attendees to discuss how we can reimagine the continent’s place in an increasingly multipolar world, offering actionable recommendations that strengthen U.S.-Africa strategic partnerships and mobilize diaspora leadership.

The Summit will bring together leaders from Africa and the U.S., alongside representatives from philanthropy, civil society, government, and policy communities, for a day of dialogue on the changing global landscape and the future of the U.S.–Africa relations.

The day will include conversations focused on the future of development and international cooperation, Africa’s role in a changing global order, migration, peace and security, and opportunities for new forms of partnership.

Sessions

The Summit will feature five main sessions, drawing on insights on long-term futures, including an updated Africa in the World theme and new themes on Global Power Shifts and Migration.

Session 1:  A divided world: Africa's place in an emerging multi polar world

Session 2: Redefining development cooperation: Africa’s choices in a changing landscape

Session 3: Global Competition for critical minerals: Resource Governance and Africa’s economic future

Session 4: Africa in motion: Migration, mobility and demographic change

Session 5: Peace and Security and Regional Stability

Read more about each session, the keynotes and all panellists here. 

Registration

This is an in-person event, and space is limited — so don’t wait to register. (Recordings will be made available afterward for those who can’t join us live, but registration is still required to receive access.)

Registration is required to be added to the attendee list.

Register here.

Partners

Key partners supporting this event are the Global Futures Collaborative, Humanity United, ISS-AFI and Open Society Foundations.

Visit the event page on the Humanity United website here.

 

Register

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