Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – The 12th edition of the Africa CEO Forum concluded on May 13, 2025, after two days of high-level engagements that brought together over 2,000 leaders from the public and private sectors. Under the theme “Can a New Deal Between the State and Private Sector Deliver the Continent a Winning Hand?”, the forum served as a pivotal moment in reshaping the trajectory of Africa’s economic growth and integration.
Jointly organized by Jeune Afrique Media Group and co-hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the 2025 edition drew delegates from over 75 countries, uniting heads of state, ministers, CEOs, investors, and international development partners. The agenda was ambitious: to establish a new partnership model between African governments and private enterprise that can accelerate structural transformation across the continent.
Central to the discussions were three pillars: reinforcing institutional governance and accountability, reforming public policy frameworks to create investor-friendly climates, and fast-tracking the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These discussions underscored the urgent need for inclusive and coordinated strategies to unlock Africa’s economic potential.
President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire opened the forum with a strong call to action, urging African nations to embrace digital technologies and artificial intelligence as levers for transformation. “We must invent our own development model, one that draws from innovation and bold ambition,” President Ouattara stated, emphasizing that a modern Africa must be equipped to compete in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Energy policy emerged as one of the most pressing concerns of the summit. South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Energy Resources, Gwede Mantashe, and Minister in the Presidency, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, made a compelling case for a pragmatic approach to the energy transition. With nearly 600 million Africans still without reliable electricity, they argued that the continent’s minimal historical emissions should not translate into an outsized burden in the global decarbonization agenda. “Energy security must precede energy transition,” said Ramokgopa. “Development cannot be sacrificed in the name of idealism.”
Corporate participation was robust. MTN Group, a platinum sponsor of the forum, emphasized the critical role of public-private partnerships in transforming Africa’s economic landscape. Company executives contributed to discussions on tax policy, investment incentives, and digital infrastructure, calling for aligned fiscal regimes that support long-term business operations across the continent.
Beyond policy dialogue, the forum also featured strategic networking sessions, CEO panels, and investment-focused side events, all designed to catalyze deal-making and foster partnerships that can deliver tangible results in sectors ranging from energy and infrastructure to technology and agriculture.
The 2025 Africa CEO Forum reaffirmed the necessity of synchronized action between government institutions and private actors. As the continent grapples with global shocks, climate transitions, and youth unemployment, the resounding message from Abidjan was clear: Africa’s development will be built on trust, innovation, and a bold new era of cooperation.
