More than 2,800 business leaders, investors, and policymakers gathered at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda on May 14 for the Africa CEO Forum [1].

The two-day summit focuses on the private sector's role in accelerating growth and development across the continent [1], [2]. By bringing together high-level officials and financiers, the event seeks to create scalable initiatives that move beyond isolated projects to drive systemic economic expansion.

The forum runs from May 14 to May 15, 2026 [3]. This year's theme is "The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership" [2]. The goal is to promote shared ownership of private-sector initiatives to ensure that economic growth is sustainable and widespread.

Among the notable attendees are Nigeria President Bola Tinubu and businessman Aliko Dangote [1]. The guest list includes representatives from development finance institutions and various African heads of state. These leaders are meeting to discuss the continent's future and the specific business cases for regional investment [1].

The gathering in Kigali serves as a hub for policymakers and investors to align their strategies. The focus remains on how the private sector can lead the way in infrastructure and industrial development—critical components for the continent's long-term stability.

By coordinating the efforts of the most influential business figures and political leaders, the forum aims to reduce the friction associated with cross-border investment. The discussions center on the necessity of shared ownership to scale the impact of private capital [2].

“The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership”

The emphasis on 'shared ownership' suggests a strategic shift from individual corporate success toward integrated regional development. By aligning the interests of heads of state like Bola Tinubu with industrial titans like Aliko Dangote, the forum attempts to bridge the gap between government policy and private capital to create a more unified economic bloc.