Africa CEO Forum 2025 to explore new collaborative strategies for economic growth

THE stage was set for the highly anticipated Africa CEO Forum 2025 during a media briefing on Tuesday, as Amir Ben Yahmed, President of the Africa CEO Forum, unveiled the theme for this year’s conference.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

Scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from May 12 to 13, the event aims to gather an assembly of 2 000 CEOs, investors, and public sector leaders hailing from over 75 countries.

“In a challenging global economic backdrop marked by rising protectionism, reduced development aid and high debt-serving costs, the Forum will tackle the prospect of a ‘New Deal to strengthen the relationship between governments and businesses in Africa,’ Yahmed said.

“It's an agenda that reflects the urgent need for innovative approaches to development based on strong governance, incentive-based industrial policies, and reinforced trade integration”

Yahmed said that the 12th edition unfolds against a challenging global economic backdrop marked by rising protectionism, reduced development aid and high debt-serving costs.

“Yet growing opportunities for SouthSouth trade and investment offer new opportunities for African businesses to expand and innovate across the African continent and beyond”

Yahmed added that the forum will focus on optimizing public-private collaboration to advance sustainable development.