• The Africa CEO Forum 2025 kicked off on May 12 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and concludes today
  • Over 2,000 leaders, including 900 CEOs and 10 heads of state from 90 countries, are participating
  • Discussions focus on public-private collaboration to tackle Africa’s economic challenges.
  • Key topics include economic governance, public policy optimization, and the African Continental Free Trade Area

Harare- The 12th edition of the Africa CEO Forum (ACF) has kicked off in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire yesterday and still  ongoing  with the summit concluding today.

Co-hosted by Jeune Afrique Media Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), this two-day event has convened over 2,000 leaders, including more than 900 CEOs, top investors, and over 10 heads of state from 90 countries.

The forum serves as a critical platform to address Africa’s economic challenges amid global shifts like rising protectionism, reduced development aid, and a growing debt crisis.

Under the theme “Can a New Deal Between State and Private Sector Deliver the Continent a Winning Hand?”, the ACF is fostering dialogue on public-private collaboration to drive sustainable growth, with discussions still unfolding as the event nears its close.

The theme, “Can a New Deal Between State and Private Sector Deliver the Continent a Winning Hand?”, emphasises the need for a strategic partnership between governments and businesses to unlock Africa’s economic potential.

Amir Ben Yahmed, CEO of Jeune Afrique Media Group, highlighted that the quality of public policy and economic governance in African countries is a core challenge, exacerbated by deteriorating global conditions.

The “New Deal” envisions governments creating enabling environments through improved regulations, while the private sector fuels innovation, investment, and job creation. This synergy aligns with Africa’s priorities of promoting intra-African trade, processing raw materials locally, and building continental champions capable of competing globally.

The theme’s focus on collaboration seems likely to address these challenges, though success hinges on effective policy execution across diverse African economies.

Discussions at the forum are centered on three pillars: strengthening economic governance, optimizing public policy, and accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation.

These pillars have driven conversations on critical issues, such as tackling inefficiencies and corruption to enhance economic progress.

Guinea’s Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah announced December 2025 as the new date for elections during a panel on the Simandou iron ore project, a move aimed at reassuring investors by signaling political stability.

The AfCFTA has been a focal point, with sessions stressing the need to boost intra-African trade and process raw materials locally to reduce reliance on external markets. These efforts support broader goals of agricultural self-sufficiency, industrial growth, and digital transformation, which could enhance Africa’s economic resilience if implemented effectively.

A key session on the cost of capital crisis, featuring Paul Abiagam of Coronation Merchant Bank alongside experts from Moody’s and Bank of America, addressed challenges like capital flows and currency volatility. This panel explored how African businesses can leverage geopolitical shifts to access affordable financing, a major hurdle for growth.

Another significant discussion, moderated by Acha Leke of McKinsey Africa and featuring Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede of Coronation Group, focused on family-owned businesses under the theme “How can African Family-Owned Businesses shift from survival to legacy and build generational champions?”.

This resonated with entrepreneurs, offering strategies to strengthen a vital segment of Africa’s private sector.

Additionally, a high-profile debate scheduled for today, May 13, 2025, among candidates vying to lead the African Development Bank (AfDB) is expected to shape the continent’s economic direction, highlighting the forum’s role in high-stakes policy discourse.

The Africa CEO Forum 2025 holds profound implications for the continent, serving as a catalyst for transformative partnerships. The emphasis on a “New Deal” signals a shift toward pragmatic solutions for challenges like high debt-servicing costs and governance inefficiencies.

The presence of leaders such as Presidents Alassane Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire), Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) reflects strong political commitment to these goals.

Enhanced public-private collaboration could unlock investments in infrastructure, energy, and digital sectors, while AfCFTA’s implementation could drive intra-African trade, creating jobs and reducing dependence on volatile global markets.

However, the complexity of Africa’s economic landscape means outcomes depend on coordinated action and robust policy frameworks.

Therefore, the Africa CEO Forum 2025, launched on May 12 and concluding today, May 13, 2025, in Abidjan, has set a bold agenda for Africa’s economic future. Its theme captures the urgency of forging a new state-private sector partnership to navigate global and regional challenges.

As discussions wrap up today, particularly with the AfDB leadership debate, the continent stands at a pivotal moment to translate strategic collaboration into tangible economic gains, positioning Africa as a dynamic global player.

Equity Axis News