Bishara Conference in Togo: 1,500 people explore investment opportunities in the continent

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

The Bishara Africa 2026 conference brings together investors Africans and internationals Those wishing to explore opportunities in key sectors in Togo and other parts of the continent, more than 1,500 participants from several African countries are expected to attend in the capital, Lome, from May 18 to 20, 2026.

The African Continental Free Trade Area agreement plays a pivotal role in driving industrialization.

Issoufou Mahamadou, the former president of Niger and a key supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, presented the vision of Agenda 2063 for an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa led by its citizens at the Bechara Africa 2026 conference.

He highlighted the pivotal role of the agreement in driving industrialization, enhancing added value, and achieving economic transformation across the continent, stressing that Africa’s future competitiveness will depend on stronger regional value chains supported by knowledge, technology, and innovation.

He called for investment in the transport, logistics and digital infrastructure sectors to enable Africa to move beyond exporting raw materials towards industrial development, and stressed the strategic importance of vital minerals in supporting the global energy transition.

Non-tariff barriers must be removed

He called for urgent action to remove non-tariff barriers and urged African countries to strengthen regional cooperation and support African financial institutions to accelerate integration and development in Africa.

The third edition of the Bishara Africa Forum will be held in Lomé, the capital of Togo, from May 18 to 20, 2026. The forum was originally scheduled for October 2025 before being postponed.

The Lomé Forum brings together African and international investors eager to explore opportunities in key sectors in Togo and other parts of the continent, and more than 1,500 participants from several African countries are expected to attend in the capital.

Participation of policymakers and private sector representatives

The forum brings together policymakers and private sector representatives to discuss intra-African trade and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.

This year’s forum focuses particularly on identifying investment opportunities and addressing barriers to accessing African markets.

During the event, companies will be able to access business insights, market entry data, and regulatory information aimed at supporting expansion strategies and facilitating integration into continental markets.

Togolese Minister of Economy and Strategic Foresight, Badanam Batoke, said the program will include conferences led by public and private sector leaders, thematic panel discussions on intra-African trade, as well as business meetings and networking sessions.