President Bola Tinubu is set to attend the 2026 Africa CEO Forum, which will be held in Kigali, Rwanda.
The forum, organised by Jeune Afrique Media Group and co-hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is scheduled for May 14-15.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the event’s theme is ‘The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership.’
More than 2,000 CEOs, investors, chiefs of state, and public officials from over 75 nations will attend the forum.
“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 acknowledging that the continent has demonstrated resilience through improved growth rates, improved sovereign ratings, and increased support for important financial institutions, the organisers stated that attaining scale would necessitate more than simply removing legal and physical impediments.
According to the organiser, the forum will focus on three critical pillars for driving growth across Africa: shared equity, shared infrastructure, and shared frameworks.
According to the statement, the conference would encourage cross-border investment in multinational African companies, establish integrated infrastructure to connect value chains, and harmonize rules to enhance investor confidence and facilitate the movement of cash, products, and services.
‘AFRICA MUST EMBRACE NEW MODEL TO COMPETE’
Amir Ben Yahmed, president of the Africa CEO Forum, stated that Africa must transcend beyond economic patriotism in order to compete in a scale-driven world.
“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 stated that the event serves as a venue for aligning public policy with private investment and shaping Africa’s next chapter of economic growth.
