The 12th edition of the Africa CEO Forum opened on Monday in Abidjan with a clear ambition: forge a new alliance between African governments and the private sector to drive economic transformation amid mounting global uncertainty.
Held under the patronage of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, the two-day summit brought together over 2,000 participants from more than 90 countries, including five African heads of state, several prime ministers, and over 900 CEOs. The event is co-organized by the Jeune Afrique Media Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
President Ouattara used the opening ceremony to urge leaders to seize the moment. “The world is in flux, but Côte d’Ivoire continues to advance due to solid economic management and strong private sector engagement,” he said. He emphasized the need for deeper intra-African trade, value addition in raw materials, and faster implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Pivotal Themes and Big Names
The forum, held at Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire, revolves around three central priorities: improving public governance to enable smarter policy choices, aligning regulations with business realities, and accelerating the AfCFTA to unify African markets.
Notable leaders in attendance include Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (Mauritania), and Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal). Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, along with prime ministers from Guinea, Tanzania, and Cameroon, also took part.
On the business front, the forum boasts a strong line-up. Executives from major corporations like Orange, Access Holdings, MSC, Proparco, Visa, and Petroci are participating. Even Afrobeats star Davido made an appearance, highlighting the continent’s growing cultural and economic convergence.
Governance, Growth, and the Debt Challenge
Jeune Afrique’s CEO Amir Ben Yahmed warned that Africa is once again grappling with a debt crisis many assumed had been solved. “The real issue lies in the strength of public policy and the ability of governments to work hand-in-hand with business,” he said.
IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop echoed that sentiment, calling for greater mobilization of private capital. “Africa’s promise is real, but untapped. We need a stronger, more productive private sector and a political class willing to support it.”
Spotlight on AfDB Race
A key moment at the forum will be a live debate between candidates for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB). Observers say the presence of several heads of state may be partly tied to backing their preferred candidates ahead of the vote later this month.
President Kagame’s participation also comes as diplomatic tensions simmer between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, adding a layer of geopolitical relevance to the event.
A Turning Point
The Africa CEO Forum 2025 may be remembered not just for high-level attendance, but for whether it sparks a shift in how Africa’s public and private sectors cooperate. With the continent facing global headwinds, the need for bold, united action has never been clearer.