The Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) has announced the President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire and former Prime Minister Patrick Achi as keynote speaker at the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2026, GS26, holding in Abuja.
The summit, holding from September 7 to 9, 2026, themed “From Agenda to Action: Making Innovations Count for the Last Mile”, will bring together policymakers, government officials, private sector leaders, academics, civil society organisations and development partners to advance practical solutions to gender inequality and exclusion across Africa.
Executive Director of PIC, Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, said Achi’s participation would provide valuable insight into strengthening systems that can translate policy commitments into measurable development outcomes.
“Africa is not short of ideas. What we need are stronger systems, partnerships, and accountability mechanisms that turn promising innovations into meaningful outcomes for people. We are honoured to welcome H.E. Patrick Achi to GS26. His distinguished record in public leadership and economic transformation brings valuable insight into this year’s conversations on how Africa can move from commitments to meaningful action and ensure that progress reaches those furthest behind.”
Achi, an engineer, development strategist and public policy expert, brings more than three decades of experience in economic transformation, infrastructure development and institutional reform.
His public service career includes serving as Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, while his expertise spans economic policy, infrastructure and national governance.
He also contributes to global policy discussions as External Advisor to the joint IMF–World Bank Bretton Woods at 80 Initiative on the future of the global economy and as a member of the World Bank Group’s High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs.
PIC said the 2026 edition would place greater emphasis on implementation, accountability and partnerships, with discussions focused on ensuring that policies and innovations translate into tangible benefits for women, young people, persons with disabilities and underserved communities.
According to PIC, the summit will address critical sectors including education, health, economic inclusion, climate resilience, gender-based violence prevention, transportation and security.
The Centre said GS26 would build on the summit’s growing reputation as a pan-African platform for advancing inclusive development through evidence, innovation, partnership and accountability.
The Gender and Inclusion Summit was conceptualised in 2022 as an annual platform for exploring transformative approaches to gender equality, inclusion and gender-responsive governance in Africa.
The 2026 edition is expected to strengthen the focus on moving development from policy commitments to concrete results at the last mile.
