Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and Executive Chairman of World Trade Centre Accra, is leading a Ghanaian delegation to the 56th annual World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) Global Business Forum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of the most significant gatherings of global trade and investment leaders on the international calendar.
The annual WTCA Global Business Forum convenes WTCA members and their global networks, bringing together leaders from business, government, academia and international organisations. This year, nearly 300 registrants representing 93 WTC businesses across 46 countries and territories have confirmed their participation.
The 2026 forum, hosted by WTC Greater Philadelphia, carries the theme “Historic Foundations, Future Collaborations: Cultivating New Business Frontiers,” highlighting how collective legacy can serve as a springboard for forging innovative partnerships and unlocking new opportunities worldwide. The event runs from April 19 to 22, 2026, marking the forum’s return to the United States for the first time in nearly a decade.
Togbe Afede XIV is a natural fit for an event of this nature. He is the Executive Chairman of World Trade Centre Accra and founder of the SAS Finance Group Ltd, comprising of Strategic African Securities Ltd, a stock brokerage and corporate finance advisory firm, and SAS Investment Management Ltd, an asset management firm. He also founded Strategic Initiatives Ltd, a portfolio and private equity investment firm, and is co-founder of Databank Financial Services, Sunon Asogli Power Ghana Ltd, and Africa World Airlines Ltd. His breadth of experience across finance, energy, and aviation makes him one of Ghana’s most prominent advocates for international business engagement.
His role on the world stage has grown considerably in recent months. Togbe Afede XIV was appointed Chair of the Council of Global Advisors for Yale School of Management effective February 16, 2026, a role based on his “admirable leadership, experience, life and career.” As Chair, he works with a distinguished group of leaders who advise the school’s senior leadership on strategies to expand the brand and reach of the school internationally. He serves an initial three-year term with the possibility of renewal and also acts as an ex-officio member of the wider School of Management Board of Advisors.
He is equally active in shaping Ghana’s economic policy at home. Togbe Afede XIV was nominated to the Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy on January 15, 2026, a recognition described by well-wishers as reflecting confidence in the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic direction.
The Philadelphia forum will feature diverse programming, including a keynote address from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, as well as a panel discussion on “Global Outlook: Navigating Trade and Investment Trends in 2026.” The forum will also launch the UNIDO-WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026, aimed at identifying and promoting scalable solutions from the private sector contributing to an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development of the Blue Economy.
Philadelphia’s hosting of the event is strategically timed. With the United States approaching its 250th anniversary, the forum sits at the intersection of culture, history, and economic leadership. The city is a leading global hub for life sciences, manufacturing, higher education, innovation and technology, and food and agribusiness, making it a natural gathering point for companies looking to expand globally.
As Thomas Young, President and Chief Executive Officer of WTC Greater Philadelphia, noted: “Philadelphia is home to world-class universities, leading companies in life sciences, tech and advanced manufacturing all anchored within a vibrant business community and culture — an excellent showcase of some of the best assets in the U.S. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local industry leaders, explore investment opportunities and experience firsthand why Philadelphia is a hub for trade and international collaboration.”
For Ghana, the forum represents an opportunity to attract foreign investment and deepen trade ties at a moment when the Mahama government is actively pushing an economic reset agenda. Togbe Afede XIV has long articulated a compelling case for the continent on the world stage, previously stating: “We believe Africa can help solve some of the problems that the world is facing today, especially in food production and energy transition. With 20% of the world’s landmass and 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, we believe Africa is the answer to food security across the globe. We believe in the promise of Africa to move the world forward — the time to be in Africa is now.”
Last year’s WTCA Global Business Forum in Marseille, France, brought together over 400 attendees from more than 50 countries and territories, including nearly 120 WTC businesses, and featured more than 20 workshops, keynotes, panels, local company tours and over 500 business-to-business meetings. This year’s Philadelphia edition is expected to build on that scale as the network continues to grow.
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