KIGALI, RWANDA — The eyes of the global business community are fixed on Kigali today as the 2026 Africa CEO Forum officially kicked off at the Kigali Convention Centre. With a high-stakes theme of “Scale or Fail,” the summit has drawn over 2,000 delegates, including six heads of state and the continent’s most influential corporate titans, to navigate a pivotal moment for African industry.
The forum arrives at a time when African businesses face a blunt reality: the need to rapidly expand across borders or risk being sidelined by global competitors.
A Presidential Power-Play
The event’s political gravity is underscored by the presence of six African heads of state. Leading the delegation is the host, President Paul Kagame, alongside Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Nigeria), Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema (Gabon), Daniel Chapo (Mozambique), Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (Mauritania), and Mamadi Doumbouya (Guinea).
Their presence signals a commitment to harmonizing policy with private sector needs, particularly as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) enters a critical phase of implementation.
The Corporate Lineup: Who’s at the Table?
From logistics to sports and high finance, the attendee list reads like a Who’s Who of African and global commerce.
| Sector | Leader | Organization |
| National Development | Jean-Guy Afrika | CEO, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) |
| Media & Events | Amir Ben Yahmed | CEO, Jeune Afrique Media Group |
| Shipping & Logistics | Soren Toft | CEO, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company |
| Banking | Jeremy Awori | Group CEO, Ecobank |
| Sports & Entertainment | Clare Akamanzi | CEO, NBA Africa |
| Infrastructure | Gagan Gupta | CEO, Arise IIP |
| Energy | Stan Mittelman | CEO, Vivo Energy |
“This isn’t just a networking event; it’s a war room for African growth,” noted one delegate. “The theme ‘Scale or Fail’ isn’t a suggestion—it’s an ultimatum for the next decade of African business.”
Financing the “Scale”
The “Scale” side of the equation requires massive capital, and the world’s top financial architects are in Kigali to discuss how to unlock it. Key institutional leaders present include:
- Makhtar Diop: Managing Director of the IFC.
- Samaila Zubairu: President of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).
- Yvonne Ike: Managing Director at Bank of America.
- Françoise Lombard: Managing Director of Proparco.
Discussions are expected to focus on de-risking investments, bridging the infrastructure gap, and leveraging the Africa Re (led by Dr. Corneille Karekezi) and the Rwanda Stock Exchange (led by Pierre-Célestin Rwabukumba) to foster local capital markets.
Looking Ahead
Over the next 48 hours, sessions will dive into the future of aviation with Erika Achum (Falcon Aerospace), cross-border banking with Ayodeji Adelagun (Standard Chartered Nigeria), and the integration of African capital markets with Dr. Félix Edoh Kossi Amenounve (BRVM).
As Kigali hosts this 14-15 May summit, the message is clear: Africa has the resources and the leadership; the challenge now is the speed and scale of execution.
