The 12th edition of the Africa CEO Forum concluded this week in Abidjan, (Côte d’Ivoire) with a call for deeper public-private collaboration, culminating in investment commitments exceeding $200 million.
Among the most significant announcements was the signing of a $100 million facility between Access Bank Plc and a consortium of major development finance institutions, led by DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH).
The landmark agreement is aimed at expanding access to finance for Small and Medium-sised Enterprises (SMEs) and women-led businesses in Nigeria.
The Access Bank-DEG partnership presents a strategic focus on economic inclusion, gender equality, and growth financing and was hailed as a critical move to stimulate Nigeria’s private sector amid global economic headwinds.
Held under the theme “Can a New Public-Private Deal Reshape the Continent’s Future?”, the Forum brought together more than 2,800 leaders from 90 countries, including heads of state, CEOs, and representatives of key financial institutions.
The event was organised by the Jeune Afrique Media Group in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Discussions focused on redefining the contours of economic cooperation on the continent through three core pillars: enhancing economic governance, optimizing public policy and accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
These themes resonated across plenaries and boardroom sessions, with leaders converging around the belief that Africa’s future hinges on effective collaboration between governments and businesses.
One of the forums most anticipated events was the presidential panel, which featured prominent African leaders including, President Alassane Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire), President Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), President Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (Mauritania) and President Paul Kagame (Rwanda)
President Ramaphosa stressed the urgency of establishing stronger public-private partnerships, stating, “The private sector must be at the forefront of Africa’s development journey. Our governments must provide the enabling frameworks that allow businesses to thrive and deliver inclusive growth.”
At the forum, several other significant investment and cooperation agreements were announced.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister’s Office, Invest International (Netherlands). Two major projects were signed: development of 2,000 hectares of rice fields in Songon, coupled with the construction of a biodegradable packaging plant using rice waste and a cocoa-sector waste sorting and recycling project in southwest Côte d’Ivoire, focused on turning agricultural waste into valuable inputs.
For IFC, Groupe Duval and Proparco, a tripartite partnership to promote sustainable, mixed-use construction in Abidjan, aimed at meeting demand for offices, retail spaces, and serviced apartments. The initiative also seeks to generate employment, support business tourism, and catalyze the hospitality industry.
For BRVM (Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières) and Africa50, a memorandum of understanding was signed to mobilize domestic and regional savings for infrastructure development in the WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union) region.
The agreement will leverage project bonds and other financial instruments to attract long-term investors, including pension funds and institutional players.
Both Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50, and Dr. Edoh Kossi Amenounvé, CEO of BRVM, highlighted the significance of financial innovation and African capital markets in driving economic independence.
Schneider Electric Agreements, two strategic deals were signed, with 3MD Energy, to strengthen medium-voltage electricity distribution for industrial applications and with Smart Energy, focusing on training programmes, energy efficiency audits, and the rollout of sustainable digital energy solutions across Africa.
Amir Ben Yahmed, CEO of Jeune Afrique Media Group and President of the Africa CEO Forum, underlined the Forum’s evolving role.
“Since its inception, the Africa CEO Forum has championed the vision that Africa’s private sector is central to its development. In 2025, this message is no longer aspirational, it is imperative. governments must now act to remove barriers and enable businesses to lead the charge”, Yahmed stated.
Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the IFC, said, “The Africa CEO Forum has become a cornerstone for shaping the future of African enterprise.
This year, we saw impactful tools, from local currency financing to new investment promotion agencies designed to unlock private sector potential at scale.”
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