The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is set to host the inaugural Africa Development Impact Forum (ADIF 2026) from 11 to 12 June in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Convening under the theme “Best Practices & Innovation for Job Creation in Africa,” this solutions-oriented platform brings together policymakers, private sector leaders, innovators, and young entrepreneurs to move beyond dialogue and accelerate evidence-based job creation at scale.

ADIF 2026 directly addresses Africa's implementation gap, where well-intentioned development policies often remain fragmented or under-resourced. By connecting policy with real-world practice, the Forum focuses on five core priorities: implementation, jobs and youth opportunity, evidence and innovation, partnerships, and accountability.

“ADIF 2026 is not simply another event,” says Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane, Director of IDEP, the ECA's Dakar-based training arm. She notes that ahead of the event, a series of stakeholder "stock-takes" have already dived deep into the key drivers of Africa's future job landscape, including critical green minerals, artificial intelligence, and high-growth youth entrepreneurship. “The goal is to help scale solutions that are already showing promise and ensure they translate into jobs, livelihoods, and opportunity.”

Throughout the two-day forum, participants will explore how to turn the green transition into employment, shape emerging technologies to expand opportunities, and empower youth as job creators. ADIF 2026 will conclude with a special session dedicated to the economic opportunities within the creative sector. Structured as an ongoing process rather than a one-off event, the Forum aims to foster a stronger implementation culture across the continent, measuring success by tangible, real-world results.