Veep, Jinapor, Sir Sam Jonah to headline major Africa business roundtable in Accra

Ghana’s Vice-President, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, will headline the 2026 Business Roundtable organised by Ishmael Yamson & Associates, as the event expands into a major continental platform aimed at shaping Africa’s economic future.

The high-level forum, scheduled for May 28 at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, is expected to convene about 1,000 in-person participants and more than 15,000 virtual attendees from across the continent.

This year’s edition marks a significant shift from a primarily Ghana-focused dialogue to a broader Pan-African engagement, under the theme “Unlocking the Next Quarter Century,” with organisers positioning it as a platform to drive actionable strategies for Africa’s long-term growth and competitiveness.

Among the key speakers is the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, alongside renowned business leader Sam Jonah, who is expected to deliver a keynote address on leadership and governance in a global context.

Also billed to speak are the President and Chief Executive Officer of MTN Group, Ralph Mupita, and prominent Pan-Africanist and legal scholar, Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba.

Organisers say the roundtable will focus on bridging the gap between government policy and private sector action, with discussions structured around critical pillars including digital infrastructure, trade integration, energy and industrial growth, governance, and youth-driven development.

A central theme of the forum will be leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area to boost intra-African trade and position the continent as a competitive force in the global economy.

Beyond panel discussions, the event is expected to provide extensive networking opportunities for policymakers, investors and corporate leaders, with a strong emphasis on forging partnerships and unlocking investment flows.

According to the organisers, the ambition is to generate practical outcomes that will accelerate Africa’s transformation and strengthen its global relevance by 2050.

With registration already open, the roundtable is targeting a diverse audience of business executives, professionals, policymakers and emerging leaders, reinforcing its growing reputation as one of the continent’s most influential business dialogue platforms.