On Tuesday, 20th of October, The Future Project in partnership with the United Nations Information Centrefor the (UNIC), Abuj hosted The Future Conference 2026 in Abuja. The theme for the event was “Redefining Africa’s Future: AI Innovation and the Power to Scale.” The conference was designed to examine what it will take for Africa’s emerging generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology builders to contribute to a more inclusive, sustainable and globally competitive economy by 2035.

The conference had a central question which asked what it would take for Africa’s AI generation to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and globally competitive economy by 2035?

The event brought together perspectives from industrial development, ethical artificial intelligence, innovation ecosystems, enterprise development and continental trade. It sought to connect the ambition and creativity of young Africans with the institutional support, investment, infrastructure, policies and market opportunities required to scale their ideas and businesses.

The conference also provided a platform to advance Redefiners 2035, a continental initiative of The Future Project focused on identifying and connecting young Africans already building solutions that could shape the continent’s future.  You can read about the redefiners here.

The programme featured an opening keynote by Amb. Philbert Johnson, UNIDO Country Representative and Sub-Regional Director, alongside a special address by the UNESCO Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Isaías Barreto da Rosa. Discussions explored the economic and industrial systems needed to scale innovation, the importance of ethical and human-centred artificial intelligence, and the role of skills, investment and institutional partnerships in supporting African innovators.

“Africa’s future will not be shaped by ideas alone, but by our ability to turn those ideas into solutions that create value, expand opportunity and compete globally,” said Ayodeji Razaq, CEO of Red Media Africa. “The Future Conference is a platform to move beyond conversations about potential and focus on what it will take to scale.”

An executive dialogue, “Building the Innovation Economy: From Talent to Scale,” examined the relationship between innovation ecosystems, technology development, venture building and investment. The discussion considered the support entrepreneurs need to move from promising ideas to sustainable businesses. The speakers were Nando Mako, Nelson Okwonna, and Mohammed Ahmed, with moderation by Olawale Kabiru Balogun.

The conference also featured a fireside chat with Patience Okala, National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, on “From Local Innovation to Continental Scale.” The conversation focused on how the African Continental Free Trade Area can help young entrepreneurs access wider markets, expand across borders and build businesses with continental reach.

The discussions underscored the importance of addressing barriers that constrain business growth, including access to finance, infrastructure, market information and enabling policies. They also highlighted the need to connect young innovators with institutions and partners that can help their solutions reach more people.

The conference further advanced the vision behind Redefiners 2035, a continental initiative of The Future Project that seeks to identify, connect and amplify young Africans building businesses, technologies, creative ventures and solutions that could shape the continent’s future.

The conference forms part of a broader effort to connect the recognition of young African talent with practical conversations about the systems, partnerships and opportunities needed to turn innovation into lasting economic and social value.

As Africa looks towards 2035, the challenge is not only to develop new ideas and technologies, but to create the conditions for them to thrive, generate opportunities and compete across the continent and globally.