President Bola Tinubu is expected to attend the 2026 edition of the Africa CEO Forum scheduled to hold in Kigali, Rwanda.
The forum, organised by Jeune Afrique Media Group and
co-hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is slated for May
14–15.
According to a statement on Tuesday, the event is themed
‘The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership’.
The forum will bring together over 2,000 chief executive
officers, investors, heads of state, and public decision-makers from more than
75 countries.
“At a time of profound global economic realignment, the 2026
edition will convene in Kigali to address a defining question for Africa’s
future: how to achieve the scale necessary to compete, integrate and thrive in
a fragmenting world,” the statement reads.
“As global power dynamics evolve, the ability of Africa to
rely on competitive, agile and internationally integrated corporate champions
has become a defining corporate imperative. In this shifting global landscape,
one lesson is clear: scale is no longer optional. It is the first line of
defense.
“This year’s edition will feature a particularly strong
Nigerian presence, reflecting Nigeria’s central role in shaping Africa’s
economic future. Alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Professor Muhammad
Ali Pate, the Forum will welcome prominent Nigerian business leaders and
investors, including Aliko Dangote, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Adesuwa Ladoja,
Rachel More-Oshodi, Wale Tinubu, Zouera Youssoufou, Dany Abboud, Ayo Otuyalo,
and Chukwuerika Achum.”
While noting that the continent has shown resilience, with
improving growth rates, better sovereign ratings, and increased support for key
financial institutions, the organisers said achieving scale would require more
than removing regulatory and physical barriers.
The organiser said the forum will explore three key pillars
to drive scale across Africa — shared equity, shared infrastructure, and shared
frameworks.
According to the statement, the forum will unlock
cross-border investment to build multinational African companies, develop
integrated infrastructure to connect value chains, and harmonise regulations to
boost investor confidence and facilitate the movement of capital, goods, and
services.
‘AFRICA MUST EMBRACE NEW MODEL TO COMPETE’
Amir Ben Yahmed, president of the Africa CEO Forum, said
Africa must move beyond economic patriotism to compete in a world defined by
scale.
“If Africa wants to compete in a world defined by scale, it
must move beyond economic patriotism and embrace a new model: African capital
investing together,” Yahmed said.
“Shared ownership, cross-border partnerships and continental
ambition will define the economic future of Africa and the next generation of
African champions.”
Also speaking, Makhtar Diop, managing director of the IFC, said the continent has the resources needed for growth but must deploy them more effectively.
“What matters now is putting that capital to work at scale.
That means building trust, sharing risk, and investing across borders,” he
said.
Diop added that the forum provides a platform to align
public policy with private investment and shape Africa’s next phase of economic
growth.
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