Africa Lead Calls For Trust And Inclusive Global Governance At WGS 2026

Africa’s strategic role in global governance took centre stage at the World Governments Summit 2026, where President Taye Atske Selassie of Ethiopia urged governments and investors to renew trust, deepen genuine partnerships, and scale long-term capital commitments that can unlock the continent’s economic potential during a period of shifting power and uncertainty.

The World Governments Summit 2026 records its highest participation, hosting more than 60 heads of state and government and their deputies, over 500 ministers, and delegations from more than 150 governments, alongside a selected group of global thinkers and specialists, bringing the total number of participants to more than 6,250.

President Taye opened the main address by thanking the United Arab Emirates leadership for assembling international decision-makers in Dubai to discuss shared challenges. "We are deeply grateful to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for bringing us together where leaders assemble to deliberate on the trials and hopes of our time," he said.

In outlining Africa’s position in global governance debates, President Taye warned that shifting geopolitical influence and falling trust in multilateral systems are intensifying risks, especially for the Global South. He described this period as a "defining moment of introspection," arguing that disruption is unsettling old systems, yet simultaneously creating new options for inclusive development.

President Taye said technological change is central to Africa’s outlook. "Innovation in renewable and sustainable energy, artificial intelligence, and digital finance provides Africa with the tools to leapfrog decades of developmental hurdles," President Taye said, explaining that such advances could support alternative growth models across the continent and reduce dependence on traditional, resource-heavy development paths.

The address devoted significant attention to economic integration as a foundation for Africa’s stronger voice in global governance. President Taye underlined the scale of the African Continental Free Trade Area, stating: "With full implementation, we are consolidating a market of 1.3 billion people with a collective GDP exceeding US$3.4 trillion," describing it as a major chance to reshape intra-African commerce and supply chains.

Africa global governance agenda and Ethiopia’s national strategies

Turning to Ethiopia’s domestic strategy within the wider Africa context, President Taye set out three policy pillars. The first is energy-led growth, driven by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. "Built on Ethiopia’s own resources, we are now generating over 6,000 megawatts of clean power as part of our pan-African connectivity vision," he said, linking surplus electricity exports to regional integration.

The second Ethiopian pillar focuses on value-added agriculture, particularly processed wheat and premium coffee exports, which aim to move Africa’s producers higher in global value chains. The third centres on air connectivity, with Ethiopia building an international airport valued at US$12.5 billion, designed to manage 110 million passengers and more than three million tonnes of cargo each year.

Financing Africa global governance ambitions and future partnerships

Despite the ambitious programme, President Taye acknowledged that Africa’s infrastructure plans face serious funding pressures. "Bridging the gap between vision and implementation remains daunting, largely due to chronic capital shortages," he said. Ethiopia is therefore working to strengthen financial institutions and widen innovative public-private partnerships to mobilise more diverse, long-term investment flows.

Closing the speech, President Taye linked Africa’s domestic reforms with its place in future global decision-making. "Africa is ready. This is the moment for genuine partnership in future global governance, not one of exclusion or exploitation, but a bridge for mutual survival and shared progress," he said, stressing that shared interests will shape cooperation in the coming years.

With inputs from WAM