African Leaders Press Governance, Education, and Partnership Agenda at Dubai Summit

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — 2026-02-05

African presidents, ministers, and continental institutions used the World Government Summit in Dubai to outline shared priorities on governance reform, education investment, and international cooperation, according to summit organizers and official African delegations.

The annual forum, convened by the UAE government, brought African leaders into policy sessions and bilateral meetings focused on public-sector transformation, development finance, and cross-border partnerships, officials said.

African delegations presented national reform agendas and regional coordination efforts during plenary discussions and closed sessions. Topics included digital public infrastructure, human capital development, and new models of international cooperation, according to official summit briefings. Organizers said Africa-focused panels drew participation from heads of state, development finance institutions, and senior policymakers.

Officials from continental and national institutions stated that the engagements aimed to align domestic reform efforts with broader African development objectives, while strengthening ties with global partners, according to official readouts.

REACTIONS

Speaking during summit sessions, Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, commended African leadership and emphasized development driven by domestic capacity and resources.

“The presidents in Africa are doing a phenomenal job. With your leadership, vision, and commitment, Africa will not walk on a walking stick. We are going to develop with our resources,” Adesina said.

President Julius Maada Bio highlighted education as a foundation for long-term national and continental growth.

“In the 21st century, without education, you definitely can’t make it. We do not just want to make it at the personal or family level; we want to grow as a nation,” Bio said.

President John Dramani Mahama called for future international cooperation frameworks that move beyond conventional diplomacy.

“The partnerships and alliances of tomorrow must extend beyond traditional diplomacy. They must become alliances of solidarity that are anchored in mutual respect, shared aspirations, and collective advancement,” Mahama said.

CONTEXT & SIGNIFICANCE

The World Government Summit is an annual global forum hosted in Dubai that convenes heads of government, senior officials, multilateral institutions, and private-sector leaders to discuss governance models and public innovation. Africa’s engagement reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership capacity, invest in education, and reshape partnerships to support sustainable development across the continent.

WHAT’S NEXT

Summit organizers said outcomes from Africa-focused sessions will feed into post-summit consultations and bilateral follow-ups through official diplomatic and institutional channels. African delegations said discussions will inform national policy processes and regional cooperation initiatives, according to official statements.