Policy and Debt Management Central to Africa's Governance
Policy experts, academics, and researchers have emphasized that robust public policy implementation and effective debt management are critical drivers of good governance across Africa. These insights emerged during the just-concluded African Finance and Economics Association (AFEA) 2026 conference, held in Abuja from 3 to 5 July.
Expert Views on Debt and Human Capital
Evans Osabuohein, a professor of economics and board member of AFEA, told PREMIUM TIMES that discussions at the event centered on public policy and debt management, both of which are impacting human capital development in Africa. “It [is] about how public debt can be managed more efficiently in Africa, so that we can tap into the resources for human capital and energy efficiency in this age of innovation. We need human resources that are well-skilled, equipped, and knowledgeable to harness such potential that technology like artificial intelligence present today,” he said.
Osabuohein further noted: “Debt is not bad in itself; the issue is when debt is borrowed but is not used for capital investment, the servicing of debt becomes a burden. We have seen this in most African countries where some of the borrowings are not geared towards human capital development.” He explained that judicious use of public debt would be a win-win for governments and citizens, as project execution would employ the populace.
Conference Highlights and Participants
The three-day international conference, hosted by Nile University Abuja’s faculty of arts and social sciences, brought together scholars, policymakers, and industry experts. Themed 'Africa’s Geoeconomic Development Agenda in a Global Realignment Era', it aimed to contribute expert input on shifting geopolitics, climate risk, and development finance across the continent. Attendees hailed from Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, and other countries.
Dignitaries included Emotimo Agama, director-general of the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC); Tope Fasua, economic adviser to President Bola Tinubu; and Tony Okpanachi, managing director of the Development Bank of Nigeria. Breakout sessions covered debt sustainability, global financial and health governance systems, digital service delivery, mobile money, financial inclusion, and continental digital markets. Other sessions focused on youth, gender, demographic change, inclusive development, migration, urbanization, and spatial inequality, with a broad focus on Africa-West relations.
Participants Share Experiences
Abogede Marietu, a PhD candidate in economics at Nile University, described the conference as impactful, noting it gave her opportunities to learn from scholars. “Today is actually my first time presenting my work at an international conference, and I think that gives visibility to my work. I have also got to learn from other presenters.” She added, “It is my earnest desire that the government in Africa would look into the policies that myself and other presenters have come up with, so as to improve the economy, and also aid the livelihood of the citizens of the continent.”
Another presenter, Ropheka Bot, a lecturer at Bingham University, Karu, found the discussions “very timely and engaging as experts gathered to discuss current global issues.” She expressed hope that African governments would implement some of the research findings to improve development on the continent.
About AFEA
The African Finance and Economics Association (AFEA) is a professional forum for academics and practitioners in finance, economics, and related disciplines interested in Africa's development. It seeks to empower the continent through financial growth and sustainable development, promoting information exchange and research on contemporary African development issues. Majune Socrates serves as president, and Gbadebo Odularu is chairman of the board.
