Four African heads of state have been confirmed to attend the upcoming Africa CEO Forum, set to take place in Kigali from May 14-15.
The forum, regarded as one of the largest international gatherings of Africa’s private sector, is expected to attract more than 2,800 participants, including over 1,000 chief executives and representatives from more than 1,200 companies operating across the continent.
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Speaking during a media briefing on April 30, Adrian Fielding, Chief Executive of the Africa CEO Forum, said the confirmed Heads of State include President Paul Kagame, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon, and President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania among others.
He added that several prime ministers are also expected to attend, including Rwanda’s Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva, Guinea’s Bah Oury, Côte d’Ivoire’s Robert Beugré Mambé, and Tanzania’s Mwigulu Nchemba, alongside top business executives and investors from across the continent.
Fielding said the presence of high-level political leaders reflects the growing importance of the forum as a platform for shaping policy and strengthening collaboration between governments and the private sector.
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"We at the Africa CEO Forum have looked at the global geoeconomic context and decided that this year we really have to hammer home the message that in today’s geoeconomics, size matters, and that power, resilience and stability are the indicators that matter to investors, businesses and political leaders alike,” he said.
He further explained that this year’s theme "Scale or Fail: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership,” seeks to promote stronger integration across African economies.
Michelle Umurungi, Chief Investment Officer at the Rwanda Development Board, said Africa remains a highly fragmented market despite its population size and economic potential.
"If Africa is to unlock real scale, we need stronger transport networks, more reliable energy systems, efficient logistics platforms, and robust digital connectivity. These are the foundations that allow goods and services, people, and capital to move seamlessly across borders, transforming a collection of national markets into a truly integrated continental market. This is why for us this forum matters,” she said.
Mary Porter Peschka, IFC Regional Director for Eastern Africa, said the forum is essential for aligning policy, capital, and skills to unlock investment across Africa.
Peschka added that the forum goes beyond dialogue, describing it as a space where "companies, investors and policymakers” come together to drive change.