Olu of Warri, Okonjo-Iweala, Others for Africa Development Conference at Harvard

The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ògíamẹ Atúwàtse III, CFR, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, are among a distinguished lineup of speakers set to address the 2026 Africa Development Conference.

The event, scheduled for April 17–18 (Friday and Saturday) at Harvard University, and organised by the Harvard African Law Association and its Africa Caucus, will convene policymakers, scholars, and thought leaders under the theme “Reclaiming Africa’s Agency in a New Global Order.”

Also billed to speak are Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, Professor Taiwo Oyedele; Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group; former Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim and Serge Ekué of the West African Development Bank.

Other speakers include Mariam Aboubrakrine, former United Nations forum chair; South African lawmaker, Nontembeko Boyce; Cédric Tidiane Diarra, vice-president of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly and Apostle Isi Igebegba, Founder, People of Influence Network.

The Warri monarch will speak on the topic, “A New Era of Leadership in Africa: Values, Institutions and Influence.”

The conference comes on the heels of the visit of Pope Leo XVI to four African countries, in a tour to urge global leaders to address the needs of the continent.

The hybrid sessions will run across Harvard Law School and Harvard Kennedy School, with registration available online.