The Africa CEO Forum 2025 opened in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, bringing together over 2,800 leaders from the public and private sectors across more than 90 countries. The 12th edition of the forum, focuses on forging a new partnership between African governments and businesses to fast-track the continent’s economic transformation. This is reported by
DNE Africa, a partner of TV BRICS.

The central theme – “Can a New Deal Between State and Private Sector Deliver the Continent a Winning Hand?” – frames discussions around economic governance, industrial strategy, and the acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

In his opening address, President of Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara called for stronger intra-African trade and continued efforts to process raw materials locally. “We must now work to strengthen intra‑African trade by continuing our efforts to process our raw materials and by accelerating the implementation of the AfCFTA,” he said, underlining the country’s strong macroeconomic performance driven by private-sector investment.

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said that his country seeks US$1.7 billion in investments to build digital infrastructure and create youth employment. The funding would support projects including constructing data centres and deploying high-speed internet, with a target of achieving 5G coverage across the West African nation by 2030.

Forum organisers stressed that improving public policy and economic governance is essential to unlocking Africa’s full potential.

Photo: DNE Africa