Chairperson of the Trade and Industry Cluster at the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) Tsonam Akpeloo, , who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SUKU Technologies, and a leading voice in Ghana’s industrial sector, has been announced as a distinguished featured speaker at the prestigious 17th Annual Harvard Africa Development Conference (ADC), scheduled for April 17–18, 2026 at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
The event, which brings together influential leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across the globe, is dedicated to charting actionable strategies for the continent’s socio-economic growth.
Under this year’s theme, Reclaiming Africa’s Agency in a New Global Order, the conference serves as a premier platform to discuss complex policy shifts, structural transformations, and sustainable development.
Hosted by the Africa Caucus at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard African Law Association at Harvard Law School, the conference has, for nearly two decades, served as one of Harvard’s flagship Africa-focused convenings, bringing together heads of state, policymakers, development finance leaders, private sector executives, scholars, and innovators from across Africa and its global diaspora.
Akpeloo’s invitation marks another significant milestone for Ghanaian and African representation on the global stage. He joins an elite cadre of Ghanaian icons and thought leaders who have previously addressed Harvard’s prestigious Africa-focused conferences, including Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who delivered a landmark keynote in 2023, and renowned global entrepreneur Vusi Thembekwayo.
Having another prominent Ghanaian voice at this high-level forum reinforces the country’s pivotal role in shaping the continent’s future.
This year’s conference will feature some of the most distinguished personalities in global governance and development, including Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius; and Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
The presence of such high-caliber leaders underscores the immense benefit of the 2026 event, which aims to move beyond theoretical discussions to forge practical frameworks for Africa’s economic independence.
His participation comes at a pivotal moment, as global demand for Africa’s critical minerals, agricultural resources, and youthful workforce intensifies.
Discussions at the conference are expected to address the balance between immediate export revenues and the long-term industrial transformation required to secure sustainable economic growth.
At the conference, Akpeloo will bring his extensive expertise to a critical panel titled, ‘Moving Up the Value Chain: Pathways to Economic Complexity’.
Akpeloo will contribute to the conference’s Industrialization, Trade and Finance track, which interrogates structural barriers to industrialization, the role of technology transfer, and strategies for enabling African-owned enterprises to scale and compete globally.
The discussion will examine how African nations can break free from legacy extractive trade models and transition toward sustained industrialization.
He will be sharing the stage with esteemed co-panelists Binta Barry, Fund Formation Lead at the Guinea Sovereign Wealth Fund, and M.D. Ramesh, CEO of Africa Improved Foods and Former President and Regional Head (South & East Africa) at Olam International.
The high-level session will be expertly moderated by Frannie Leautier, Senior Partner at Southbridge Group and CEO of Southbridge Investments.
In addition to this session, Akpeloo will also speak on a second high-level panel titled ‘Accelerating Regional Integration: AfCFTA in Practice’.
This discussion will focus on translating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) from policy ambition into measurable economic outcomes, including strategies for boosting intra-African trade, harmonizing regulatory frameworks, and building competitive regional markets capable of sustaining industrial growth.
In his capacity as Chairman of the Trade and Industry Cluster at the AU ECOSOCC, Akpeloo plays a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s economic architecture.
His mandate includes providing crucial advisory opinions to AU organs on matters related to trade and industry, offering strategic policy guidance regarding the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and facilitating vital trade relations between Africa and the international community.
Beyond his continental policy work, Akpeloo is a trailblazer in the private sector.
As the CEO of SUKU Technologies, he has built a formidable reputation as a champion for modernizing African commerce, focusing heavily on ensuring Digital Visibility, Digital Transformation, and Digital Trust for African businesses and individuals.
Domestically, Akpeloo remains a towering figure in shaping Ghana’s industrial and educational landscape.
As the Chairman of the Greater Accra Region for the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), the foremost voice of the Ghanaian business community, he actively champions the interests and competitiveness of local manufacturers.
Furthermore, his deep commitment to workforce development and capacity building is evident through his governance roles as Chair of the National Advocacy Board on Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET)-VTF.
By bringing this rare, multidimensional perspective, spanning continental trade policy, digital innovation, private sector advocacy, and technical workforce education, to Harvard, Akpeloo’s participation promises to deliver highly actionable solutions.
His insights will undoubtedly enrich the dialogue on how Africa can leverage its resources, upskill its youthful workforce, and deploy digital infrastructure to secure a prosperous, industrialized future.
The 2026 Africa Development Conference is expected to convene the next generation of African leaders alongside established decision-makers, fostering dialogue that bridges policy, enterprise, and innovation in pursuit of sustainable development across the continent.