Abidjan – Abidjan, Africa CEO Forum 2025, concluded with Abidjan on May 13th – Co-organised by June Africa Media Group and IFC – More than 2,800 economic and political leaders from 90 countries. This 12th edition is a strategic turning point of integrating the continent’s ambitious public-private partnerships. This year’s edition stands out through its tangible commitment. Four major transactions have been signed in the fields of AI, connectivity, energy and real estate, indicating a shared willingness to move from word to action. In the face of growing global economic uncertainty, participants held strong beliefs by carrying out economic governance and effective implementation of the AFCFTA at the top of the agenda. Only a structured dialogue between governments and businesses will maximize Africa’s potential. The 12th edition of the African CEO Forum concluded today with Abidjan, bringing over 2,800 business leaders, investors and public decision makers from 90 countries to the subject. Over the two days, participants explored ways to enhance public and private sector collaboration to promote economic growth in Africa.
The three key pillars of discussion are improving economic governance, optimizing public policy, and accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA). These priorities aim to create a more favorable environment for investment, promote innovation and promote deeper economic integration across the continent.
One of the highlights of the forum was the Presidential Commission, which has gathered several heads of state, including Presidents Aracen Oattara (Côte Dyboir), Basilou Diomai Faye (Senegal), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Mohamed Urd Gazauani (Mauritania) and Paul Kamameam (Rwanda). President Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of strong public-private partnerships for Africa’s development and integration, and the need to increase collaboration to address today’s economic challenges.
Several contracts were signed during the forum, with total commitments estimated to exceed $200 million.
Access Bank x deg
Access Bank Plc and Deg.
Purpose: Supporting Nigerian small business and female entrepreneurs. Key areas: growth funding, economic inclusion, gender equality. Court D’Ivoire X Invest International (Dutch) Prime Minister’s Office
Two signed projects:
Development of Songsung’s 2,000 hectares of rice fields. This includes plants for converting rice waste into biodegradable packages. Agricultural waste sorting, collection and recycling projects focused on cocoa production in the southwest of Ivory Coast.
IFC X Groupe Duval X Proparco
The Tripartite Partnership was announced to support sustainable mixed-use construction in Abidjan. Purpose: Meet the growing demand for offices, retail and serviced apartments. Create a job. We will support the business tourism and hospitality sector.
BRVM X Africa50
Memorandum of understanding signed to mobilize local savings for infrastructure development within the WAEMU zone. Products: Project bonds and financial instruments issued via BRVM were issued to attract long-term investors (annual funds, institutional and private investors). Statements by Alain Ebobissé (Africa50) and Dr. Edoh Kossi Amenounvé (BRVM) highlight financial innovation and financial sovereignty in Africa.
Schneider Electric
Two signed contracts:
With 3MD energy: Strengthen medium voltage electrical distribution for industrial use. Smart Energy: Partnerships in training, energy auditing and sustainable digital solutions.
“We are pleased to announce that Amir Ben Yahmed, CEO of Jeune Afrique Media Group and President of the Africa CEO Forum,” said Amir Ben Yahmed. The power of the private sector is to create your own course.
“The African CEO Forum has become an important platform for shaping and scaling solutions that empower the private sector,” says Makhtar Diop, managing director at IFC. “These range from innovative financial tools like local currency financing to major initiatives that unlock high potential investment opportunities, including the new network of African investment promotion institutions launched in this 12th edition. We are proud to support African companies in their efforts to help them realize their potential fully.”
About the African CEO Forum
Founded in 2012, the African CEO Forum is a leading platform dedicated to CEOs of Africa’s largest corporations and representatives of multinational corporations, investors, heads of state, ministers, and major financial institutions operating across the continent. The forum offers a high-level space for networking, experience sharing and analysis of trends that shape the business world. The annual summit is aimed at providing concrete and innovative solutions to advance the continent and its private sector. The African CEO Forum is created by the June African Media Group and is co-organized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.
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More information: https://www.theafricaceoforum.com/forum-2025/en/
About IFC
A member of the World Bank Group, International Finance Corporation (IFC) is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Operating in over 100 countries, it leverages capital, expertise and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In 2024, IFC recorded $56 billion in private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, deployed private sector solutions, mobilised private capital to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity on a livable planet.
For more information, please visit www.ifc.org
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Press Contact
ACF: soukaina harti – s.harti@jeuneafrique.com / nicolas teisserenc – nicolas@poinciana.co
IFC: Abdur Maiga – Regional Communication Officer in West and Central Africa – amaiga7@ifc.org
