AfCFTA, investment reforms and policy alignment top agenda at 2025 Africa CEO Forum

Over 2,800 political and business leaders from 90 countries are in Abidjan. They are attending the 2025 Africa CEO Forum. The focus is on investment reforms and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The forum runs from May 12-13 and is co-hosted by Jeune Afrique Media Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). This year’s theme is: “Can a New Deal Between State and Private Sector Deliver the Continent a Winning Hand?”

African economies face rising debt costs, slowing donor inflows, and changing global trade. Leaders are calling for coordinated policies to reduce investment risks. They aim to improve governance for better regional integration.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara spoke at the opening ceremony. He emphasized the need to leverage trade through AfCFTA. He urged continued efforts in processing raw materials and regulatory harmonization.

Ouattara noted that Côte d’Ivoire shows strong growth despite global uncertainties. He called for strengthening intra-African trade through AfCFTA implementation. He hopes this forum will lead to concrete solutions.

Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of IFC, highlighted the need for private capital mobilization. He pointed out Africa's untapped potential in resources, infrastructure, technology, and human capital. Diop stressed that a new deal between companies and public decision-makers is essential.

This year's agenda focuses on three pillars: improving governance, aligning policies with business realities, and fast-tracking AfCFTA implementation. Amir Ben Yahmed, CEO of Jeune Afrique Media Group, discussed challenges facing Africa today.

He mentioned the ballooning debt crisis as a major concern. Ben Yahmed believes poor public policy quality is at the core of these issues. He advocates for empowering the private sector to drive growth in Africa.

Key participants include over 900 CEOs, top investors, and more than 10 heads of state. Notable attendees include presidents from South Africa, Senegal, Rwanda, Mauritania, and prime ministers from Guinea, Tanzania, and Cameroon.

On May 13th, there will be a significant policy debate among candidates for leadership at the African Development Bank (AfDB). This event aims to shape Africa's economic direction moving forward.