By Abbas Nazil
Iconic International Holdings Pty Limited hosted the 2026 Iconic Africa Summit and Honours in Harare, Zimbabwe, bringing together policymakers, civil society leaders, youth groups and private sector actors to discuss Africa’s development priorities.
The summit was held in February at the Rainbow Towers and Convention Centre and attracted over 1,000 delegates from 54 African countries alongside more than 30 speakers who contributed to policy and leadership dialogues.
Participants focused on sustainable development, youth inclusion, regional integration and leadership accountability as key drivers for advancing socio-economic growth across the continent.
Discussions emphasized strengthening cooperation between governments, continental institutions, youth organizations and the private sector to ensure inclusive development outcomes.
The event also highlighted partnerships with regional bodies including the African Union Youth Council and the International Forum for Peace and Diplomacy to deepen engagement on governance and policy reform.
Organisers stated that collaboration with women and youth networks expanded participation and ensured representation of young entrepreneurs and emerging leaders in decision-making conversations.
Temisan O. Louis, President and Founder of Iconic International Holdings, explained that the summit was designed to create a platform for dialogue on governance, innovation and sustainable progress across Africa.
He noted that engaging institutions across the continent strengthens collective responsibility for achieving the vision of “The Africa We Want” under shared development goals.
A major feature of the summit was the presentation of the ICONIC 500 list which recognised individuals and institutions for their contributions to governance, humanitarian service, cultural preservation and youth empowerment.
Auxillia Mnangagwa, First Lady of Zimbabwe, received the Iconic Woman of the Year Award in recognition of her humanitarian initiatives and efforts to support social welfare programmes.
Prince Lindani of the Kingdom of Eswatini was honoured for his role in promoting youth empowerment, cultural diplomacy and leadership development within his community and beyond.
Arthur Peter Mutharika, former President of Malawi, was also recognised for his leadership record and commitment to democratic governance, with the award accepted on his behalf by a government representative.
Tino Machakaire, former Minister of Youth in Zimbabwe, received acknowledgement for advancing youth innovation, entrepreneurship support and national development policies during his tenure.
The Babukisi Foundation from Eswatini was honoured for preserving African heritage through digital platforms and promoting cultural identity among young people across borders.
Regional leaders including Kembo Mohadi, Vice President of Zimbabwe, attended the summit alongside diplomats and development partners who observed the discussions and engagements.
Their presence underscored growing interest in multi-stakeholder platforms that bring together governments, civil society and business leaders to address development challenges collectively.
Delegates observed that stronger policy coordination and investment in youth-led initiatives are essential for sustainable economic transformation in Africa.
They recommended expanded partnerships in agriculture, digital technology, climate action and entrepreneurship as priority areas for regional cooperation.
Participants concluded that outcomes from the summit would inform future policy engagement, strengthen institutional collaboration and support youth-focused programmes across the Southern African Development Community and beyond.
Organisers affirmed that the summit will continue annually to sustain momentum around leadership accountability and inclusive growth initiatives across the continent.