Ghana Takes Centre Stage as Allison Worldwide, BHM Host Africa Trade and Investment Dialogue at UNGA81

Accra, Ghana — Ghana’s growing role as a gateway for trade and investment into Africa is set to come under the spotlight as global communications agency Allison Worldwide and African media and communications company BHM announce the 2026 edition of the Africa Breakfast Conversations (ABC) during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York.

The high-level, invite-only gathering, scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026, at Allison Worldwide’s offices in the World Trade Center, will bring together leaders from Africa, the United States, and the global business community to examine opportunities shaping the continent’s next phase of economic growth and international commercial engagement.

This year’s conversation comes at a significant moment for Ghana and the wider African economy, with trade, investment, digital transformation, and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) increasingly influencing the continent’s global economic outlook.

Ghana’s Strategic Position in Africa’s Commercial Future

Ghana is expected to feature prominently in the discussions because of its position as the host country of the AfCFTA Secretariat and its longstanding commercial relationship with the United States.

The organisers describe Ghana as an important bridge for international businesses seeking to access African markets, particularly as companies increasingly explore opportunities presented by the continent’s single-market ambitions.

According to figures cited in the release, U.S.–Ghana goods trade is valued at approximately $2.5 billion, highlighting the significance of the bilateral commercial relationship.

Ghana has also recorded strong export activity. Data referenced from the Bank of Ghana and Ghana Statistical Service indicate that the country recorded GH¢110.3 billion in total exports during the first quarter of 2026, resulting in a reported GH¢46.1 billion trade surplus.

The country’s participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has further provided opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to access the U.S. market through preferential trade arrangements, including exports of agricultural products, apparel, processed cocoa, and oil products.

Focus on Trade, Investment, and AfCFTA Opportunities

Under the theme “Africa’s Next Chapter: Trade, Partnership, Investment & Global Influence,” the Africa Breakfast Conversations 2026 will examine some of the major issues expected to shape Africa’s economic engagement with the global economy.

Among the issues to be discussed are the future of AGOA preferences, cross-border payments, digital transformation, infrastructure development, and opportunities to increase value-added exports under the AfCFTA framework.

The discussions are also expected to focus on how African businesses can move beyond exporting raw materials and strengthen their participation in regional and global value chains.

Claudine Moore, Managing Director, Africa at Allison Worldwide, said the platform was created to connect African, American and global business leaders around opportunities affecting the continent.

“For the past few years, we have provided a platform during UNGA for leaders from Africa, the U.S., and the global business community to connect around the issues and opportunities shaping the continent’s future,” she said.

Moore noted that West African economies such as Ghana were increasingly developing opportunities across technology, agribusiness, and the creative industries, adding that the 2026 gathering would focus on connections capable of translating into commercial partnerships and cross-border deals.

Africa’s Economic Opportunity Takes Centre Stage

Ayẹni Adékúnlé, CEO of BHM Holdings, said Africa’s economic potential should increasingly be viewed through the lens of present-day commercial opportunities rather than future possibilities.

“Africa is no longer a future opportunity; it’s a present-day growth market,” he said.

According to Adékúnlé, entrepreneurs across the continent are building businesses with the potential to operate at a pan-African scale, creating opportunities for stronger collaboration among innovators, investors, and policymakers.

The event is therefore expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to explore how investment and policy environments can be strengthened to convert Africa’s economic potential into tangible commercial value.

Building on a Record of High-Level Engagement

The Africa Breakfast Conversations has previously attracted senior figures from leading African and international institutions and businesses, including Access Holdings, Future Africa, MTN Group, Goldman Sachs, Citi Bank, NBA Africa, UBA and The King’s Trust.

The 2026 edition will take place against the backdrop of UNGA81 and its central theme, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All.”

Organisers say the Africa-focused commercial dialogue will complement the broader global discussions by placing particular emphasis on sustainable investment, job creation, and economic self-reliance.

With Ghana occupying a strategic position at the intersection of AfCFTA implementation and expanding U.S.–Africa commercial engagement, the discussions could provide an important platform for examining how African economies and businesses can strengthen their participation in global trade and investment.

The Africa Breakfast Conversations 2026 is an invite-only event. Further information on speakers, panels, and media accreditation is expected to be announced through the organisers’ event platform.