President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is among top African and global leaders expected to attend the 2026 edition of the Africa CEO Forum 2026 scheduled to hold in Kigali from May 14 to 15.
The high-level gathering will bring together over 2,000 chief executives, investors, policymakers, and heads of state from more than 75 countries to discuss strategies for boosting Africa’s economic integration and global competitiveness.
Organisers revealed that this year’s forum will be held under the theme: “The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership.”
The discussions will centre on strengthening collaboration between governments and the private sector, with a strong emphasis on building large, competitive African enterprises capable of thriving in the global economy.
Nigeria is expected to feature prominently at the event, with key government officials and business leaders forming part of the delegation.
Among them are the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, and leading industrialist Aliko Dangote, alongside other notable private sector figures.
The forum will focus on three major pillars aimed at accelerating Africa’s growth:
Shared Equity: Promoting cross-border investments and building multinational African companies
Shared Infrastructure: Developing regional projects to improve connectivity and value chains
Shared Frameworks: Harmonising regulations to boost investor confidence and ease movement of goods and capital
Organisers stressed that Africa must adopt a “scale or fail” mindset to remain competitive in an evolving global economy.
President of the forum, Amir Ben Yahmed, called for a shift from isolated national strategies to collective continental investment.
Similarly, Makhtar Diop of the International Finance Corporation noted that while Africa has the capital and potential for growth, success will depend on how effectively resources are mobilised and deployed across borders.
The event is expected to build on the progress of the African Continental Free Trade Area, with stakeholders exploring actionable steps to deepen economic cooperation and unlock sustainable development opportunities across the continent.
The 2026 forum is widely seen as a critical platform for shaping Africa’s economic future in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
