InstinctWave, a B2B events and publishing firm, has announced the launch of the Africa Finance Festival (AFF) 2026, a pan-African platform scheduled to hold on May 12 and 13, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos.
The event marks an expansion of the long-running CFO & Public Finance Conference, evolving into a broader platform designed to convene stakeholders across Africa’s financial ecosystem. Lagos will host the festival for the third time, following previous editions, including the fifth edition held in Accra, Ghana.
Platform to convene over 500 finance leaders
Organisers say the festival, themed “Future forward: Building resilient, sustainable and digital finance systems for Africa,” will bring together more than 500 senior finance professionals, policymakers, regulators, investors, and technology players.
The event will feature multiple parallel conference tracks aimed at addressing key pillars of the financial system. These include Public Finance Live, CFO Connect, TaxIgnite, CEO Connect, Pension Connect, Investment and Wealth Live, Risk and Audit Live, ESG and Sustainable Finance, and Treasury Live.
Each track will focus on specific areas such as fiscal transparency, corporate finance leadership, tax reforms, wealth creation, risk management, sustainability, and treasury operations.
Top public and private sector leaders confirmed
The 2026 edition is expected to feature a lineup of finance leaders and policymakers from across the continent. Confirmed speakers include Shamsedeen B. Ogunjimi, Accountant General of the Federation of Nigeria; Leonard Mkude, Accountant General of Tanzania; and Hauwa Nuru, Commissioner of Finance for Kwara State.
Other speakers include Ugochukwu Nwaghodoh of United Bank for Africa, Deji Fayose of FCMB Group, Modupe Kadiri of MTN Nigeria, and Ashish Khemka of Lagos Free Zone, among others.
The event will also host representatives from institutions such as the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, the National Social Security Fund of Uganda, and the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service.
Building on strong legacy of past editions
Previous editions of the conference have attracted senior finance leaders across Africa, reinforcing its position as a platform for thought leadership and collaboration.
Notable past participants include Cassiel Ato Forson, Ghana’s Minister of Finance, alongside senior executives from Standard Chartered Bank Ghana, the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, and other leading institutions.
Organisers highlight strategic repositioning
Akin Naphtal, CEO of InstinctWave and Group Publisher of The CFO Magazine, described the transition to the Africa Finance Festival as a reflection of the continent’s evolving financial landscape.
According to him, the rebrand signals a shift towards a more integrated and inclusive platform that connects public and private sector finance stakeholders.
He added that AFF 2026 is positioned to serve as a central meeting point for stakeholders driving innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth across Africa’s financial systems.
Additional experiences to drive engagement
Beyond the conference sessions, the festival will feature ministerial roundtables, an innovation lab and technology showcase, a women in finance luncheon, and a 40 under 40 finance executives recognition programme.
Other highlights include an ESG and finance sustainability pavilion aimed at deepening discussions around sustainable finance practices.
Organisers say the Africa Finance Festival is designed to bridge gaps between public and private sector finance, fostering collaboration needed to drive long-term economic growth across the continent.
The event is powered by The CFO Magazine and InstinctWave Group.
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