• Concluded on May 13 in Abidjan, the AFRICA CEO FORUM 2025 – co-organized by Jeune Afrique Media Group and the IFC – brought together over 2,800 economic and political leaders from 90 countries. This 12th edition marks a strategic turning point in consolidating an ambitious public-private partnership for the continent.
• This year’s edition stood out through concrete commitments: four major deals were signed in the fields of AI, connectivity, energy, and real estate, illustrating a shared willingness to move from words to action.
• In the face of rising global economic uncertainty, participants placed economic governance and the effective implementation of the AfCFTA at the top of the agenda, with a strong conviction: only a structured dialogue between governments and businesses will unlock Africa’s full potential.

The 12th edition of the Africa CEO Forum concluded today in Abidjan, gathering more than 2,800 business leaders, investors, and public decision-makers from 90 countries under the theme: “Can a New Public-Private Deal Reshape the Continent’s Future?”

Over the course of two days, participants explored ways to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors to boost Africa’s economic growth.

Discussions centered on three key pillars: improving economic governance, optimizing public policy, and accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

These priorities aim to create a more favourable environment for investment, encourage innovation, and drive deeper economic integration across the continent.

One of the Forum’s highlights was the presidential panel, which brought together several heads of state, including Presidents Alassane Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire), Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (Mauritania), and Paul Kagame (Rwanda).

President Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of strong public-private partnerships for Africa’s development and integration, stressing the need for increased collaboration to address today’s economic challenges.

Several agreements were signed during the Forum, with total commitments estimated at over $200 million:

ACCESS Bank x DEG

• Signing of a $100 million facility between Access Bank Plc and a consortium of major development finance institutions, led by DEG.
• Objective: Support Nigerian SMEs and women entrepreneurs.
• Focus areas: growth financing, economic inclusion, and gender equality.

Prime Minister’s Office of Côte d’Ivoire x Invest International (Netherlands)

• Two projects signed:
  1. Development of 2,000 hectares of rice fields in Songon, including a plant to convert rice waste into biodegradable packaging.
  2. Agricultural waste sorting, collection, and recycling project focused on cocoa production in the southwest of Côte d’Ivoire.

IFC x Groupe Duval x Proparco

• Tripartite partnership announced to support sustainable, mixed-use construction in Abidjan.
• Objectives: meet the growing demand for office, retail, and serviced apartment space; create jobs; and boost the business tourism and hospitality sectors.

BRVM x Africa50

• Memorandum of understanding signed to mobilize regional savings for infrastructure development within the WAEMU zone.
• Instruments: project bonds and financial products issued via BRVM to attract long-term investors (pension funds, institutional and private investors).
• Statements from Alain Ebobissé (Africa50) and  Edoh Kossi Amenounvé (BRVM) highlighted financial innovation and African financial sovereignty.

Schneider Electric

• Two agreements signed:
  • With 3MD Energy: enhance medium-voltage electrical distribution for industrial use.
  • With Smart Energy: partnership on training, energy audits, and sustainable digital solutions.

Amir Ben Yahmed, CEO of Jeune Afrique Media Group and president of the Africa CEO Forum, stated:

“For this 12th edition, the Africa CEO Forum once again enabled a gathering unlike any other on the continent, bringing together public and private decision-makers from across Africa and beyond. The message we have emphasized since the forum’s inception has gained ground: in an era marked by economic and geopolitical uncertainty, Africa must unleash the power of its private sector to chart its own course. It is now up to public decision-makers to provide them with the means to succeed.”

“The Africa CEO Forum has become a key platform for shaping and scaling solutions that empower the private sector,” said IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop.

“These range from innovative financial tools—like local currency financing—to major initiatives that unlock high-potential investment opportunities, such as the new network of African investment promotion agencies launched at this 12^th edition. We’re proud to support efforts that help African companies realize their full potential.”

As global crises cast long shadows, Africa stands at a critical crossroads: Will the continent remain on the sidelines of history or will its leaders band together to forge a new path?

This pivotal question will drive the 2024 Africa CEO Forum, set for 16 and 17 May in Kigali, Rwanda.

This year’s theme, At the Table or On the Menu? A Critical Moment to Shape a New Future for Africa, underscores the important juncture at which the continent finds itself amidst global economic shifts and challenges.

This year’s 11^th edition of the landmark Africa CEO Forum marks more than a decade of unparalleled gatherings of Africa’s most influential leaders, innovators, and policymakers.

The Forum will tackle four transformative agendas: leadership, digital transformation, continental integration, and financing.

Through a series of panel discussions, workshops, and roundtables, participants will explore strategies to achieve the highest public policy standards conducive to growth; to ensure African business is at the forefront of disruptive innovation; to leverage Africa’s collective weight through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); and to creatively overcome obstacles to financing Africa’s ambitions.

Designed to spur actionable solutions, the summit will accelerate the rise of new African success stories.

Amir Ben Yahmed, president of the Africa CEO Forum, emphasises,

“We call on our community of leaders shaping the future of Africa to recognise the structural and enduring consequences of the actions they take at this critical time. The forum will be a crucible for innovative strategies and partnerships, propelling the continent into the opportunities of tomorrow.”

Sérgio Pimenta, IFC’s Vice President for Africa, said,

“Turning Africa’s $3 trillion GDP into $30 trillion by 2050 will require an unbridled African private sector, enabled by the continent’s policymakers to forge partnerships that create markets, increase intra-African trade and advance investment on the continent .”

The Africa CEO Forum is the continent’s premier gathering, uniting Africa’s top executives, global investors, and government leaders annually.

In partnership with IFC, this year’s flagship event will host more than 2,000 public and private sector decision-makers, including over 900 CEOs.

Confirmed attendees include high-profile individuals such as H.E. Wamkele Mene, General Secretary of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA ), Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of IFC, Mesfin Tassew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman of the Board of Schneider Electric, James Mworia, Group CEO & MD of Centum Investment, Sudhir Ruparelia, Chairman of Ruparelia Group, Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, Rostam Aziz, CEO of Taifa Gas, Hardy Pemhiwa, President & CEO of Cassava Technologies or Patricia Poku Diaby, CEO Plot Entreprise Ghana, Karl Olutokun Toriola, MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Faith Mukutu, CEO of Zambeef, Diane Karusisi, CEO Bank of Kigali , Patty Karuaihe-Martin, CEO of NamibRe. Their presence underlines the forum’s status as a critical convener for those looking to shape Africa’s business landscape.

In addition, several Heads of State are expected to attend, further signifying the Forum’s pivotal role in fostering high-level dialogue and partnerships.

These leaders will join forces with attendees to contribute to a collective endeavour that promises to chart a new course for Africa’s economic future.