The African Bar Association (AfBA) on Monday formally opened its 2026 Annual Conference on the island of Sal, Cabo Verde, with lawyers, judges, government officials, academics and other stakeholders gathering for discussions on Africa’s security, economic stability, governance and sustainable development.
The conference, which runs from September 20 to 24, is being held under the theme, “Resilient Africa’s Roadmap for Sustainable Development: Strengthening and Addressing Issues of Military, Security and Economic Stability.” AfBA says the gathering is designed to provide a platform for examining some of the major legal, institutional, security and economic challenges facing the continent.
The opening ceremony on Monday, September 21, was presided over by Cabo Verde’s Acting President, Janira Hopffer Almada, and brought together participants from different African countries and beyond. Cabo Verdean authorities had projected attendance of more than 500 lawyers, magistrates, academics, institutional leaders and other professionals.
The programme featured addresses and goodwill messages from leaders of the legal profession and invited institutions, alongside ceremonial activities marking the formal commencement of the continental gathering.
AfBA, Cabo Verde Bar Leaders Address Conference
President of the Cabo Verde Bar Association, Júlio Martins, addressed delegates at the opening, stressing the importance of the rule of law to Africa’s development and resilience.
Martins said the ability of countries to withstand crises and other challenges depends significantly on the strength of their institutions, the quality of public decision-making and the confidence citizens have in those institutions.
AfBA President, High Chief Ibrahim Eddy Mark, also addressed the gathering as the Association welcomed delegates to the five-day conference.
The ceremony featured goodwill messages from invited institutions and representatives from across the continent and beyond, reflecting the international character of the conference.
The programme also provided for the transition of the AfBA flag from the Ghana Law Association to the Cabo Verde Bar Association, as the host Bar for the 2026 conference.
Gambari Takes Centre Stage
A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the participation of former Nigerian Minister of External Affairs and veteran diplomat, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR, OON, who was selected as keynote speaker for the conference.
AfBA had earlier described Gambari as a distinguished scholar and global diplomat whose career spans academia, national service, diplomacy and international governance.
The Association said his participation was expected to help frame discussions around governance, security, economic stability and Africa’s place in the evolving global order.
Gambari has served in several senior national and international positions, including as Nigeria’s Minister of External Affairs, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and, more recently, Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria.
Cabo Verde Acting President Calls for Stronger African Institutions
Addressing the conference, Acting President Almada called for strong institutions, strategic leadership and greater continental cooperation in responding to Africa’s challenges.
She linked sustainable development to military stability, human security and strong, inclusive economies, presenting the three as interconnected elements in building a resilient continent.
The opening ceremony also included the presentation of AfBA’s 2026 Medal of Merit in Leadership and Appreciation Plaques, with Otunba Dele Oye, Serges Martin Zangue and Mrs Ligia Dias Fonseca listed among those for recognition.
Oye had earlier been announced as a recipient of the Association’s Medal of Merit in recognition of his leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s organised private sector.
Following Monday’s formal opening, delegates are expected to proceed with substantive conference sessions addressing a wide range of issues relevant to the continent’s legal and development landscape.
The conference programme encompasses discussions around the rule of law, human rights and access to justice, security, taxation, artificial intelligence, data privacy, economic development and other emerging issues affecting Africa’s resilience.
The AfBA 2026 Annual Conference continues on Sal Island until Thursday, September 24, with the Association seeking to use the gathering to deepen engagement among legal practitioners, policymakers and other stakeholders on the role of law and strong institutions in building a more secure, stable and resilient Africa.
