Africa in a Transactional World
Each year, the Africa CEO Forum brings together more than 2,000 CEOs, investors, heads of state, and ministers to debate the continent’s most pressing priorities and set its business agenda.
Economic volatility and changes in development aid have resulted in concerns that financing African growth may become more challenging. This dynamic has created an invitation to recognise that the private sector can be Africa’s real superpower.
Developing future economic resilience will be informed by agricultural self-sufficiency, financial innovation, digital acceleration, and industrial capacity, which only the private sector can deliver.
In Abidjan, the 2025 Africa CEO Forum will bring together public and private sector decision-makers for two days of high-level debates, negotiations, discussions, and workshops. Under the theme “Can a New Deal Between State and Private Sector Deliver the Continent a Winning Hand?”, the forum will focus on optimizing public-private collaboration to advance sustainable development."
Since the Africa CEO Forum was founded a decade ago, the notion that the private sector should be the engine of African growth has been firmly anchored in the minds of policymakers. With the continent’s share of global FDI tripling over that period, the massive flows into logistics, infrastructure, agribusiness, financial services, real estate, and many other high-performing sectors have unleashed African business champions.
With a steadfast commitment to promoting sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty, IFC has been at the forefront of empowering businesses and entrepreneurs across the continent.
As a co-sponsor of the Africa CEO Forum, IFC leverages this influential gathering to catalyze private sector investment and to foster economic development in Africa. The forum serves as a dynamic hub for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring investment opportunities, making it an ideal platform to showcase its commitment to Africa's private sector growth.
Moreover, IFC actively collaborates with governments, regulatory bodies, and industry associations to create an enabling business environment in Africa. By advocating for reforms, promoting good governance practices, and encouraging sustainable business models, we aim to foster an ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurship and attracts investment.
