Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – At the 2025 Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, African heads of state highlighted the need for deeper integration and practical collaboration between governments and businesses.
Monday’s discussions focused on the African Continental Free Trade Area, described as a framework for unlocking trade and economic opportunities across the continent.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the Continental Free Trade Area presents an opportunity for business leaders to access a market of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.
He encouraged the private sector to engage with the trade framework as a platform to build cross-border partnerships and infrastructure.
“Trade requires working roads, functioning airlines, efficient ports, and rail systems,” he noted. He added that governments are prepared to reduce risk on major infrastructure projects through sovereign financial tools to attract private investment.
When a moderator pointed out the realities of closed borders, expensive flights, and visa restrictions, Ramaphosa responded that these issues are being addressed. “The pace might be slow, but it is happening,” he said. “The AfCFTA [African Continental Free Trade Area] will open the floodgates for economic activity.”
Kagame Calls for Action Over Rhetoric
Rwandan President Paul Kagame expanded on the conversation by reflecting on the continent’s repeated promises and missed opportunities. He said Africa has made progress over the past three decades, but stressed the need for faster implementation and stronger ownership.
“We can do more, and we can do it together,” he said. Kagame questioned why African nations wait for aid cuts before acting and challenged the idea that development must be externally funded. “There is a mindset on the continent that someone else will foot the bill. That has undermined our efforts.”
He expressed concern over the lack of follow-through on continental agreements, citing bureaucratic delays and insufficient coordination. Kagame insisted that Africa already possesses the knowledge, talent, and institutions to advance, but often lacks the political will.
From Raw Materials to Skills Retention
Kagame questioned why Africa continues to export both raw materials and skilled talent while importing finished products and foreign expertise. “Why don’t we retain this talent and let it serve our own needs?” he asked.
He added that real transformation requires honest conversations and a shift in mentality. “Sometimes we need to wash our dirty linen in public if that’s what it takes to make progress.”
Referring to upcoming discussions at the G20, Ramphosa said that a continental accord on critical minerals could help protect and maximize Africa’s strategic resources, if public and private sectors work together.
“And this is precisely what we are going to be advocating also at the G20. When it comes to critical minerals, we need a critical minerals accord that enables all of us to manage these resources properly.” He said.
Mauritania and Côte d’Ivoire Emphasize Business Environment
President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania described how his country is enacting reforms to create a more attractive climate for private investment. These include new laws on electricity, investment, and public procurement, aimed at allowing small and medium-sized enterprises to grow and contribute to job creation.
He stated that private enterprise cannot thrive without government-led reforms that guarantee legal protection and improve infrastructure. “We are building an environment that will support a dynamic private sector,” he said.
President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire noted that despite global uncertainties, his country has maintained stable growth supported by strong private investment and macroeconomic management. He called for faster implementation of the AfCFTA and increased local processing of Africa’s raw materials.
“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.
Digital Transformation and Development Models
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye brought a digital dimension to the discussion. He pointed to Estonia and Rwanda as countries that have made significant progress in building digital systems that support efficient governance and citizen services.
Faye said Africa should not fall behind in the global digital race and must work toward sovereignty in digital infrastructure. “We must also be actors, not only consumers,” he said, referring to Africa’s role in shaping its own digital future.
He encouraged African countries to invest in transparent, fast, and reliable digital services that can accelerate development and promote accountability.
The Africa CEO Forum, taking place on May 12–13 in Côte d’Ivoire’s capital Abidjan, brings together African heads of state, CEOs, and investors to discuss practical solutions for economic transformation across the continent.
