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.
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.
