Ghana to host Forty under 40 Africa Awards
The continent’s most influential young leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs under the age of 40, will converge on Accra for this year’s Forty Under 40 Africa Summit and Awards.
The industry leaders from 22 African countries, who were expected to start arriving in Ghana from yesterday, will participate in a series of events, including the Champions Summit and Valentine Fashion Show and an exhibition showcasing Ghanaian craftsmanship to the continent in the lead up to the awards scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
The Champions Summit will be held on the theme: “Resetting the African Mind: A Giant Step Towards Global Dominance”, with the exhibition featuring speakers from Kenya, South Africa, Ghana and United Kingdom who will be sharing presentations on moving Africa forward.
The event will be delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, and Diaspora Affairs under the Office of the President, positioning Ghana as a strategic hub for youth leadership, enterprise development, tourism, and investment in Africa.
Nominees will have the opportunity to taste Ghanaian delicacy at Kanzo Republic.
The programme will highlight Ghana’s cultural heritage, key tourism destinations, creative economy and emerging investment opportunities.
Ahead of the Awards Night, a curated multi-day Ghana experience powered by PayAngel will be held from February 9–13, 2026, bringing together nominees, finalists, delegates and industry leaders from over 22 African countries.
Awards
The Forty Under 40 Africa Awards is a continental platform dedicated to recognising and celebrating exceptional young African leaders who are driving innovation, building sustainable businesses and contributing meaningfully to economic and social development across the continent.
Speaking ahead of the event, the Founder of the Forty under 40 Awards, Richard Abbey Jnr, stated that since its establishment, the initiative had recognised over 2,000 high-achieving leaders across various industries, thereby fostering a robust pan-African network grounded in leadership, excellence and impact.
The Forty Under 40 Africa platform continues to provide a unique opportunity for pacesetters, policymakers, creatives and business leaders to connect, collaborate and contribute to shaping Africa’s future.
The awards, initiated by Xodus Communications Limited, are held in South Africa, United Kingdom, Ghana, and globally in Dubai.
The 2026 edition, Mr Abbey said, promised to be a landmark gathering that would celebrate Africa’s next generation of leaders while reaffirming Ghana’s role as a centre for culture, leadership and pan-African excellence.
In a related development, Mr Abbey paid a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, ahead of the fifth edition of the Forty Under 40 Africa Awards.
During the visit, he formally presented the trophy to the traditional ruler.
This engagement formed an integral part of the preparatory activities for hosting the 2026 edition of the awards in Accra, underscoring respect for traditional leadership and acknowledging Ghana’s cultural values as the host nation.
