ACCRA, GHANA — The Institute for Liberty and Economic Education (ILEE) joined prominent policy leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and civil society champions from across the continent at the 2026 Africa Liberty Forum.
Organized by Atlas Network and co-hosted by Ghanaian policy institutions—the IMANI Center for Policy and Education and the Africa Centre for Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment (ACEYE), the flagship summit convened key stakeholders dedicated to expanding individual freedom and economic opportunity throughout Africa.
Executive Leadership & Specialized Capacity Building
Representing ILEE’s leadership, Executive Director Eric Coffie and Board Chairman Emmanuel Kofi Ansah-Anobah actively participated in high-level strategic tracks during the forum:
LeaderLab Training Masterclass: Eric Coffie completed the intensive leadership development series, focusing on transition strategies from individual contributor to organizational leader, internal stakeholder alignment, and institutional sustainability.
Fundraising 360 Track: Board Chairman Emmanuel Kofi Anobaah engaged in the executive fundraising masterclass, acquiring tactical insights into building robust donor roadmaps and sustaining policy organizations in volatile political environments.
“Attending this year’s forum provided ILEE with critical strategic frameworks that will directly inform our research, educational programs, and policy outreach,” noted Executive Director Eric Coffie. “Building strong networks across Africa is essential as we work toward practical market-oriented solutions.”
Key Program Highlights & Policy Discussions
The two-day forum featured dynamic debates, interactive workshops, and high-level strategy labs aimed at strengthening civil society impact:
Digital Persuasion & Media: Practical masterclasses detailed techniques for creating high-impact short-form media using mobile tools to communicate economic principles to modern audiences.
Economic Liberty & Policy Strategy: Keynote presentations and Strategy Labs examined financial freedom, digital asset adoption, combating financial censorship, and navigating state pressure.
National & Regional Debates: Participants attended the George Ayittey Society Debate focusing on “Africa After USAID,” alongside showcase sessions highlighting regional case studies such as Ardhi Yangu, Maisha Yangu and the Regional Entrepreneurship Freedom Index.
Smart Bets Pitch Competition: Promising African think tank initiatives presented high-impact policy proposals during the annual pitch showcase.
Celebrating Impact: 2026 Africa Liberty Award Winner
The forum culminated in the 2026 Africa Liberty Awards Dinner, celebrating outstanding achievements in policy advocacy across Africa.
Burundi’s Centre for Development and Enterprises Great Lakes (CDE Great Lakes) was named the 2026 Africa Liberty Award Winner for its transformative work through the Freedom Week initiative, advancing economic reforms and market openness. Finalists Liberalist Centre for Education (Nigeria) and the Eastern Caucus (Zimbabwe) were also recognized for their significant contributions to regional prosperity.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Closing out the summit, Atlas Network announced that the 2027 Africa Liberty Forum will be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in partnership with local host institution Liberty Sparks.
ILEE remains committed to advancing economic liberty, human rights, and policy research across Ghana, leveraging lessons learned from this year’s forum to scale its institutional impact.
The editorial team at the Institute for Liberty & Economic Education (ILEE) is comprised of dedicated professionals committed to promoting individual liberty, free markets, and private property. With expertise in public policy research and analysis, our team crafts insightful editorials that advance the principles of economic freedom and limited government, informing and engaging readers on critical issues affecting society.
