Organisers said the 2026 edition has attracted more than 2,000 participants from over 75 countries across Africa and beyond…repots Africa Newsdesk
African leaders, business executives and international investors gathered in Kigali on Thursday for the opening of the 2026 Africa CEO Forum, with calls for the continent to take greater control of its economic future and defend its strategic interests.
The two day event, organised by Jeune Afrique Media Group and co hosted by the International Finance Corporation, is being held under the theme “Scale or Fail: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership”.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Rwandan President Paul Kagame said Africa must play a stronger role in protecting and advancing its own interests despite its vast strategic advantages.
“These powers, you see, that come here lecturing people on democracy and human rights, are doing it with one arm and with the other they are just taking away everything that people own,” Kagame said, according to remarks shared by the Africa CEO Forum on social media.
Ivory Coast Prime Minister Robert Beugre Mambe also took part in the opening day programme.
Africa CEO Forum President Amir Ben Yahmed said the continent could only achieve meaningful economic scale if governments, businesses and investors embraced shared ownership and built stronger trust based partnerships.
Rwanda Development Board Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika said Africa’s growing population and expanding consumer markets presented major opportunities, but stressed that the continent must turn its potential into sustainable and scalable economic growth.
The annual forum is regarded as one of the largest international gatherings focused on Africa’s private sector, bringing together policymakers, investors and corporate leaders for discussions on economic development, investment and regional cooperation.
Organisers said the 2026 edition has attracted more than 2,000 participants from over 75 countries across Africa and beyond.
The forum is urging leaders from both the public and private sectors to commit investment, share risks and build cross border African ownership structures capable of supporting the continent’s long term prosperity.
