The African Bar Association (AfBA) has officially confirmed that its 2026 Annual Conference will take place in Sal, Cape Verde, from September 20–24, 2026—setting the stage for one of the continent’s most anticipated legal gatherings.
In preparation for the high-profile event, AfBA President High Chief Ibrahim Eddy Mark and Executive Director Rudolf Ezeani undertook a fact-finding and inspection visit to Sal from February 22–25, 2026, to assess the island’s readiness to host hundreds of legal professionals from across Africa and beyond.
The delegation was warmly received by the leadership of the Cape Verdean Bar Association, including its President Julio Caeser Martins, Vice President Oliver Araujo, and Bar members Manuel Pina and Vania Cuhna.
During the visit, the AfBA team toured selected hotels and conference facilities earmarked for the event, evaluating logistics, accommodation standards, security arrangements and conference infrastructure. The delegation was later hosted to a dinner in honour of the forthcoming continental gathering.
Why Sal?
According to AfBA officials, the findings strongly affirm Cape Verde’s capacity to host a conference of AfBA’s scale and prestige. Beyond its infrastructure, Sal offers a compelling blend of accessibility, hospitality and scenic appeal.
With its expansive Atlantic coastline, pristine beaches and growing reputation as a premier tourism and business destination, Sal provides a backdrop that combines professional engagement with cultural and recreational experiences.
The 2026 Annual Conference is expected to draw leading jurists, senior advocates, policymakers and legal scholars to deliberate on pressing continental and global issues affecting law, governance and justice systems in Africa.
For the African Bar Association, the choice of Sal signals both strategic vision and symbolic intent—bringing Africa’s legal community together in a setting that reflects dynamism, unity and forward-looking leadership.
As the countdown to September 2026 begins, all eyes now turn to Cape Verde—where Africa’s legal minds will gather, not just to meet, but to shape the future of justice on the continent.
