Ghana is reaffirming its ambition to make the diaspora a full partner in its development. Accra is hosting the Elevate Africa Annual Convening 2026 on Wednesday, October 28, and Thursday, October 29, at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, under the theme “Africa: Defining Her Future.” Following editions in Abuja and Gaborone, this third gathering brings together heads of state, ministers, traditional leaders, investors, creatives and diaspora representatives, with between 400 and 600 delegates expected.
The most anticipated announcement came from Kofi Okyere-Darko, Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President. At a press conference held on Monday ahead of the event, he said a new round of citizenship grants for people of African descent would be launched soon. The move builds on the openness Accra has shown since the Year of Return in 2019, which has already allowed several groups of African descendants to become Ghanaian citizens.
He placed particular emphasis on the kind of commitment Ghana is looking for. In his view, Africa cannot move forward without its diaspora, whose knowledge, skills, networks and resources can help transform economies. He urged Africans living abroad to go beyond short visits to Ghana and to play a lasting role in its economic development.
The message was echoed on Wednesday at the opening session. African leaders called on the diaspora to support the continent through its expertise, mentoring and professional networks, not just financial contributions. One of the programme’s four pillars is dedicated to the diaspora, return, the creative economy and soft power, with the stated aim of looking beyond remittances to tap into the capital, expertise and cultural influence of Africans around the world.
The choice of Accra is no coincidence. Olori Atuwatsé III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom in Nigeria and co-founder of Elevate Africa, pointed to Ghana’s historic role as the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence under Kwame Nkrumah, and later as a driving force in reconnecting with the diaspora through the Year of Return. She also noted that many figures who came back from abroad played key roles in the Pan-African movement and the liberation struggles. The Ghanaian capital is also home to the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose implementation is central to the discussions.
Today, the second day is devoted to the creative economy, youth and the diaspora. Participants are then expected to sign an Accra Declaration, intended to lead to partnerships, investment commitments and practical collaborations. It remains to be seen whether these intentions will turn into projects capable of persuading Africans abroad to take the step of returning or investing.
