Global Citizen is proud to announce a new, critical event on the African continent, coming to Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, to add to our ongoing mission of ending extreme poverty.

The Economic Development Assembly: Advancing Africa’s Future will take place over two days on Oct. 9-10, 2024. The event will be held at the Sofitel Hotel in Abidjan, and it’s shaping up to be a pivotal moment ahead of the G20 Summit in Brazil and the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) replenishment conference in South Korea later this year.

Co-hosted with Bridgewater Associates, in partnership with the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and Harith General Partners and supported by our global partner Citi, we will welcome heads of state, private and public sector leaders, and civil society to the Assembly to drive major investments toward propelling Africa’s imminently bright future. 

Through panels and roundtable discussions, the Assembly will push for sustainable African development by urging the G20 and other donor countries (the world’s leading economies) to step up and support the World Bank’s 21st IDA replenishment initiative.

You could be asking yourself: Hold up, what is IDA? 

Don’t worry, it’s not an easily thrown-around term in everyday language (check out our official explainer right here). Put simply, the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) provides grants and credit to lower-income countries at zero- to low-interest rates. 

This is helpful for countries that don’t have easy access to finances to tackle some of their biggest challenges, such as natural disasters, conflicts, youth development, and public health threats — to name a few. Right now, IDA needs to support itself in order to support the countries that need it most. If these nations can tackle the issues they face, they can start forward-thinking, which is necessary for Africa to spring into its bright future. 

The EDA will be hosted by Cameroonian actress, international host, TV presenter, and philanthropist Sophy Aiida.

The Opportunity on the Horizon for Sub-Saharan Africa

In just a few decades, 25% of the global working-age population will be in Sub-Saharan Africa — a huge increase from the current 10%. This could have a critical impact on the global economy, as Africa has the chance to become a driving force for economic growth worldwide.

However, if the status quo remains and the development trajectory of the continent’s most vulnerable countries weakens, this growth cannot happen. Efficient collaborative effort is needed from policymakers, private investors, and multilateral development banks (such as the World Bank) to ensure that poverty on the continent is alleviated and that Africa’s full potential can be realized. 

To break down some of the barriers that could hold the African continent back, we’re calling on the G20 and other donor nations to formally agree to increase their contributions to IDA by 20 to 25% over the next three years — helping to hit the replenishment target of at least $120 billion by the end of 2024. 

Who Will Be at the Economic Development Assembly?

Speakers set to take the stage at the inaugural Economic Development Assembly include H.E. Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President of Mauritania and current Chairperson of the African Union, H.E Alassane Ouattara, President of Côte d'Ivoire; H.E Robert Beugré Mambé, Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire; H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, as well as Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank. 

Co-chairs of the Assembly include Nir Bar Dea, CEO of Bridgewater Associates, and Tshepo Mahloele Founder & Chairman of Harith General Partners.

The event will be hosted by Cameroonian actress, international host, television presenter, and philanthropist Sophy Aiida, and will feature performances by Falana and Jeune Lio. Other artists and performers attending the Assembly include Nomzamo Mbatha, actress, humanitarian, and Global Citizen Ambassador; Yvonne Chaka Chaka, singer-songwriter; and Gbenga Akinnagbe, actor and writer.

To learn more about the program and find detailed information on the event — including how you can register to attend — head over to the Assembly’s website here.