Africa's youthful population and growing number of women entrepreneurs are increasingly being recognized as the continent's greatest economic asset, with stakeholders calling for stronger support through financing, digital innovation and business-friendly policies that promote cross-border trade.
Speaking during the launch of the Africa Commerce and Industry Summit 2026, economic stakeholders and diplomatic representatives said empowering youth and women-led enterprises will be key to boosting intra-African trade.
The participants urged African countries to move beyond signing trade agreements and instead prioritize their implementation to unlock opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Former Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President Richard Ngatia said Africa is no longer just a market of the future but one of the present. He noted that the summit, which will be hosted in Kenya, will bring together participants from across the globe to unlock business opportunities while giving young people and women a platform to showcase their talent, innovation and entrepreneurial potential.
