Africa’s economic future in focus as CEOs meet

This year’s forum is centred on forging a new pact between African governments and the private sector—one that places business leaders at the heart of the continent’s development agenda.

With Africa facing a demographic surge, unemployment challenges and structural constraints, the call for a strong, capable and empowered private sector has never been more urgent.

In an exclusive interview with The Citizen, Adrian Fielding, Director of the Africa CEO Forum, said the 2025 themes—accountability and governance, smart industrial policy and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)—are tailored to what African business executives see as the continent’s top economic priorities.

“The role of the private sector in shaping, influencing and protecting national interests is crucial.  At the Africa CEO Forum, we believe that Africa’s real superpower is its private sector,” said Fielding.

The forum, hosted by Jeune Afrique Media Group in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is designed to elevate public-private dialogue and generate actionable strategies for economic resilience.

IFC’s regional director for Eastern Africa, Mary Porter Peschka, emphasized the pivotal role of business in catalyzing sustainable development.

“We’re seeing immense energy around empowering Africa’s private sector.  This conference is oversubscribed, which speaks to the urgency of the agenda,” said Peschka.  “The private sector can be a catalyst for agricultural self-sufficiency, digital transformation, financial innovation and above all, job creation.”

According to the IFC, while Africa’s working-age population is projected to grow by 740 million over the next 30 years, only about 3 million formal wage jobs are created annually—versus an estimated 12 million new job seekers entering the labour force each year.

 This mismatch places an even greater burden on the private sector, which already generates 87–90 percent of jobs on the continent.

The forum sees the participation of top African leaders, including the Presidents of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Ethiopia and Rwanda.

Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa will also be present, alongside the premiers of Cabo Verde, Guinea, Mauritania and Cameroon.

One of the major pillars of discussion is the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), a recurring priority.

Leaders are expected to examine how to remove structural and logistical barriers to free trade, deepen value chains and improve infrastructure to boost intra-African commerce.

“We believe Africa has the human and natural resources to not just withstand global volatility, but to thrive,” said Peschka. “Accelerating intercontinental trade is central to this transformation.”

Another major focus will be on optimising public-private partnerships (PPPs) to drive infrastructure development and service delivery.

While PPPs are not a “silver bullet”, Peschka noted they can be highly effective—if supported by political will, enabling policies and dedicated government units.

“They can bring not just funding but also private sector efficiency and expertise.  If well-executed, PPPs can deliver real victories,” she said.

Acknowledging that the Forum is just a two-day event, Peschka stressed that lasting reforms depend on sustained commitment.

“Real transformation requires political will, institutional capacity and adequate resources.  But the Africa CEO Forum provides a critical platform for best practices, fresh ideas and monitoring progress.”

Adrian Fielding echoed that sentiment, adding that a dedicated “Deals Monitor” will track investment announcements and MOUs signed during the forum.

 Last year, such deals were valued at over $1.2 billion.

“There is a need for sustained engagement beyond the Forum itself,” Fielding said. “We want conversations, commitments and initiatives to continue throughout the year.”

With the continent’s 2025 economic growth forecast revised down to 3.8 percent by the IMF due to global uncertainty, forum organisers say the time is now for the private sector to rise.

“The private sector is the cornerstone of Africa’s resilience.  If empowered and enabled, it can transform the continent’s economic landscape,” said Peschka.