On the 15th of April 2026, on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, Development Reimagined, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, convened a high-level panel discussion titled “Advancing the Operationalization of the African Monetary Institute Through Advocacy and Awareness,” representing a significant milestone in the operationalization of the continent’s financial architecture.

The event brought together senior policymakers, central bank officials, and multilateral development experts who examined the recent milestones achieved in establishing the AMI, the practical steps required for its timely launch, and the transformative role it is expected to play in advancing Africa’s monetary integration and financial sovereignty.

H.E Mrs. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals (ETTIM) at the AU, opened the discussion by linking the AMI directly to the African Union’s long-standing ambition of a single continental currency. She emphasized that monetary policy is one of the most powerful development tools and noted the practical barriers African businesses and citizens still face due to multiple currencies and fragmented payment systems.

Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, Deputy Governor for Economic Policy Directorate, and Mr. Raymond Omenka Omachi, Permanent Secretary, Fed. Min of Finance in Nigeria also gave opening remarks, reaffirming Nigeria’s full institutional, political, and operational commitment to ensuring a smooth commencement of the AMI’s operations.

The thought-provoking panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Hannah Wanjie Ryder, Chief Executive Officer of Development Reimagined. The panel featured a great lineup of speakers, including H.E Mrs. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals (ETTIM) at the AU, Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, Deputy Governor for Economic Policy Directorate, Mr. Raymond Omenka Omachi, Permanent Secretary, Fed. Min of Finance in Nigeria, and Professor Kevin Chika Urama, Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management at the African Development Bank Group.

Key takeaways from the discussion include:

•  The AMI is a cornerstone of Africa’s financial architecture that is designed to coordinate macroeconomic convergence and lay the foundation for a future African Central Bank.
• Nigeria is fully committed to hosting and operationalizing AMI, with facilities already prepared and inspections underway.
• The African Union Commission has prioritized AMI as a flagship initiative for the next three years, recognizing its importance for financial sovereignty.
• The African Development Bank views AMI as essential for mobilizing Africa’s resources, stabilizing currencies, and building resilience against global shocks.
• Operationalization of the AMI by September 2026 is both a technical and political priority, requiring sustained advocacy, awareness, and collaboration among all fifty-five member states.
• Shift from advocacy to action, including defining the institutional structures, governance frameworks, statistical harmonization mechanisms, and capacity-building programmes.

Watch the full event here:

Date Published: April 23, 2026