The Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit is an annual two-day event that brings together leaders from various sectors to discuss investment, technology, and economic development across the Middle East and Africa. Organized by the Milken Institute, a non-profit economic think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the summit aims to foster meaningful partnerships and address pressing regional challenges. The 2026 edition is scheduled for December 7–8 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, marking its eighth occurrence since the summit's inception in 2019.
While specific details for the 2026 summit are forthcoming, previous editions have featured discussions on topics such as artificial intelligence, capital access, health and medical research, sustainability, security, and policy. Panels have included themes like "Global Cities in a New Light," "Global Investment Outlook: Investing in a Shared Future," and "Navigating a Changing Global Economy." Notable speakers have included government officials, CEOs, and experts from various fields.
The summit provides opportunities for networking, with sessions designed to connect attendees across sectors. Previous events have attracted hundreds of participants, including sovereign wealth executives, development finance officials, senior policymakers, and business and philanthropic leaders. The 2025 edition, for example, convened "hundreds of business and philanthropic leaders, global health and finance experts, and senior policymakers," including more than 20 government and diplomatic leaders, across more than 40 sessions.
The Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit is ideal for executives, investors, policymakers, and philanthropists interested in exploring investment opportunities, technological innovations, and collaborative efforts to address regional challenges. Attendees can expect to engage in high-level discussions, forge strategic partnerships, and gain insights into the evolving economic landscape of the Middle East and Africa.
Event Details
- Date
- December 4-5, 2025
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- St. Regis Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
- Pricing
- Pricing details not yet available
- Audience
- Executives, investors, policymakers, philanthropists
- CLE Credits
- CLE accreditation pending
- Attendees
- Hundreds (exact number for 2026 not yet disclosed)