Since its inception, the Africa Economic Symposium (AES) has steadily grown into a valued platform for continental economic dialogue, where global perspectives meet African realities and where rigorous analysis informs policy. Now in its 4th edition, the Symposium has more than doubled its reach, expanding its scope and impact by bringing together over 200 prominent economists, policymakers, and academics from 40 nationalities across Africa and beyond. This growth reflects a shared commitment to deepening understanding of the macroeconomic and structural forces shaping Africa’s development trajectory.
The PCNS Annual Report on the African Economy
The symposium is anchored by the launch of the PCNS Annual Report on the African Economy. Authored by more than 30 African and international experts, this flagship report provides evidence-based analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral trends, regional integration dynamics and policy choices defining Africa's development path. During AES, a dedicated session will present the latest findings of the seventh edition of the report and put them to the test in conversation with all participants.
Theme of the Year
For its 4th edition, the Policy Center convenes AES under the theme "Turning Transitions into Growth." This year’s agenda addresses the limits of the current African growth model as the continent faces simultaneous shifts in climate, technology, and demography. Policy choices will determine whether these transitions support higher productivity and resilience or exacerbate social and economic vulnerabilities.
The Symposium will connect the short term to the long term by linking macroeconomic stability with deep structural transformation. On the macroeconomic front, discussions will focus on managing price, exchange rate, and interest rate spillovers, strengthening fiscal frameworks for natural resource management, and advancing a renewed narrative on African sovereign debt. On the structural front, the Symposium will examine how Africa can turn its natural resource abundance from a constraint into an opportunity, navigate the climate and energy transition for resilient growth, drive growth dynamics through technology-led structural transformation, and recalibrate social policies to guarantee inclusive growth, all while critically addressing the financing architectures required to underpin these transformative pathways to growth.
A Special Highlight: The World Cup Economy
In light of Morocco's upcoming role as co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, AES will also feature a special session on World Cup economic management. Drawing on lessons from previous international experiences, this session aims to identify strategies that transform world-class events into lasting economic and social benefits.