The 12th Africa CEO Forum concluded in Abidjan on May 13, securing commitments estimated at over $200 million through several agreements and underscoring a drive towards a new framework for public-private collaboration to foster the continent’s economic growth.
The forum, co-organized by Jeune Afrique Media Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), brought together more than 2,800 business leaders, investors, and public decision-makers from 90 countries. This year’s edition focused on consolidating public-private partnerships, with discussions held under the theme: “Can a New Public-Private Deal Reshape the Continent’s Future?”
The event highlighted concrete commitments, with the announcement of four major deals in the fields of artificial intelligence, connectivity, energy, and real estate, illustrating a shared willingness to translate discussions into actionable outcomes.
Several specific agreements were signed during the forum, contributing to the total commitment value:
- Access Bank Plc and a consortium of development finance institutions, led by DEG, signed a $100 million facility. The objective is to support Nigerian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women entrepreneurs, focusing on growth financing, economic inclusion, and gender equality.
- The Prime Minister’s Office of Côte d’Ivoire and Invest International of the Netherlands signed agreements for two projects: the development of 2,000 hectares of rice fields in Songon, which includes a plant to convert rice waste into biodegradable packaging, and an agricultural waste sorting, collection, and recycling project centered on cocoa production in the southwest of Côte d’Ivoire.
- The IFC, Groupe Duval, and Proparco announced a tripartite partnership to support sustainable, mixed-use construction in Abidjan. The project aims to meet the growing demand for office, retail, and serviced apartment space, create jobs, and boost the business tourism and hospitality sectors.
- The Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM) and Africa50 signed a memorandum of understanding to mobilize regional savings for infrastructure development within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) zone. This will involve project bonds and financial products issued via BRVM to attract long-term investors such as pension funds, institutional, and private investors. Statements from Alain Ebobissé of Africa50 and Dr. Edoh Kossi Amenounvé of BRVM highlighted financial innovation and African financial sovereignty.
- Schneider Electric signed two agreements: one with 3MD Energy to enhance medium-voltage electrical distribution for industrial use, and another with Smart Energy, establishing a partnership on training, energy audits, and sustainable digital solutions.
Participants at the forum, convened in a period of rising global economic uncertainty, placed economic governance and the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) at the top of the agenda. Discussions centered on three key pillars: improving economic governance, optimizing public policy, and accelerating AfCFTA implementation. These priorities are intended to create a more favorable investment environment, encourage innovation, and drive deeper economic integration across Africa.
A presidential panel was a notable feature of the forum, including President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania, and President Paul Kagame of 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 current economic challenges.
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’sinception 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.”
IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop said, “The Africa CEO Forum has become a key platform for shaping and scaling solutions that empower the private sector. 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 12th edition. We’re proud to support efforts that help African companies realize their full potential.”
Founded in 2012, the Africa CEO Forum serves as a platform for CEOs of Africa’s largest companies and multinationals, investors, heads of state, ministers, and representatives of key financial institutions active on the continent. The annual summit aims to offer concrete, innovative solutions to advance the continent and its private sector, providing a space for networking, experience sharing, and analysis of business trends. The Africa CEO Forum was created by Jeune Afrique Media Group and is co-organized by the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group.
