Program 2023

The Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire are vying to play larger roles in global value chains. Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch’s signed a new Investment Charter in March 2023 while Côte d’Ivoire’s PM Patrick Achi recently engaged with US and Chinese leaders, as both seek to whip up post-COVID foreign investment. The countries also hope to bolster their economic sovereignty: Morocco via subsidies for local industrial production (Project Bank), and Côte d’Ivoire by mobilising domestic savings and improving private sector credit (2030 Plan). In an exclusive interview, the leaders discuss executing policies towards strategic autonomy amid inflation and significant global headwinds. 

Africa has nearly 300 companies with turnovers exceeding $1bn, compared to 2,700 in Europe and 3,300 in Asia. These firms play a major role in reinforcing strategic autonomy and increasing resilience, as seen with Pfizer in the United States during the Covid crisis and Eni in Italy during the gas crisis. African countries must create their own champions in agribusiness, energy, digital technology and other key sectors, based on their comparative advantage. How can the public and private sectors foster high-performing African multinationals through government strategies, partnerships and regional value chains? 

Key points: 

• Return of the state as a strategic actor 

• Digitalisation, regional integration and infrastructure: How can we strengthen African value chains? 

• From $100 million to $1 billion: What recipe is needed to scale up? 

While $95 billion in investment projects are underway in liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals, only $53 billion is being invested in developing gas-fired power plants. Eager to capitalize on soaring prices, many African countries are adapting national energy development plans to meet international demand, particularly from Europe. How can Africa balance the need for universal access to electricity (52% of sub-Saharan Africans still lack electricity) with the windfall of export revenues? 

Key points:

• Financing: How to bridge the funding gap for domestic projects? 

• Electricity market reforms, regional cooperation, small-scale projects: How to develop gas infrastructure? 

• Building local content while remaining cost-effective: a delicate but necessary balance 

In 2022, African female-led start-ups raised $188m (4% of start-up funding), while male-led ventures raised $4.6bn. Yet global women business owners’ scores and rankings demonstrate outstanding progress in Africa, notably in countries like Botswana, Uganda, and Ghana. In reality, most women entrepreneurs are unable to grow their businesses beyond small-scale subsistence operations due to poverty, discrimination, and lack of institutional support and fundings. Long-term solutions could lie in equipping entrepreneurs with access to funding, market opportunities, knowledge enhancement, and technical training. How can innovative and long term solutions be found to maximize the potential and inclusion of women entrepreneurs?   

Key points: 

• How can we gain a deep understanding of the socioeconomic factors that hinder or nurture the ability of African women entrepreneurs?   

• What are some of the most innovative solutions to address the barriers and challenges that women-led startups face on the continent?  

• What is the role of financiers, particularly DFIs, venture capital and private equity funds in supporting and increasing the numbers of women-led startups? 

As African corporates become increasingly digital, complex and globally competitive, the challenge of talent acquisition has risen to the top of CEO’s agendas. While CEOs and CHROs the world over complain of talent shortages, the pressure has risen on higher education providers to equip the next generation with practical skills from tech- and financial-literacy to AI fluency and business acumen. This workshop, led by our three Deans, will seek to forge partnerships between corporates and educators, and to identify innovative ways of future-proofing the supply of exceptional local talent to meet the needs of Africa’s business champions.

Access via sign-up on the event app or by invitation only.

Apart from Rwanda, which boasts a coverage rate of over 90%, and despite various initiatives launched over the last decade in Cameroon, Senegal, and Ghana, Africa is struggling to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). While financing remains the major stumbling block, the private sector, which provides more than a third of outpatient care, could be instrumental in increasing per capita spend (currently $8-$129 in Africa) and making digital health more accessible. In this closed-door roundtable government representatives, industry and DFIs explore how the private sector could help achieve more inclusive healthcare.  

Discussion points:  ​​

• Public-private partnerships: Is it possible to achieve both affordable and quality UHC?  
• From low-interest loans to tax and performance-based incentives: How can governments entice the private sector?  
• Increasing patient trust and satisfaction for health systems: What levers can the private sector pull?
• Achieving effective and secure health information-sharing systems 

As the foremost annual meeting of the private sector on the continent, the AFRICA CEO FORUM is the leading platform for public-private dialogue. ‘Invest In’ sessions allow CEOs and investors to meet with high-level African government officials to gain deeper insight into their countries’ economic development strategies. These sessions provide exposure to a variety of key sectors, business environments, and public and private investment opportunities. 

The energy deficit remains the main obstacle to business growth in Africa, with per capita energy consumption almost 10 times lower than in the US. Yet, despite the continent’s low carbon footprint, global resolutions to combat climate change threaten to limit access to foreign investment in African energy (excluding renewables), which risks slowing Africa’s industrialisation. In an exclusive interview, Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of AFC, one of the main African financiers of energy infrastructure and Guido Brusco, COO Natural Resources of Eni, one of the world’s largest energy companies, discuss how Africa can achieve a transition that is both climate-friendly and economically ambitious. 

Senegal’s President H.E Macky Sall’s Emerging Senegal Plan, combined with increased rice, oil and gas production and regional initiatives such as the $700m OMVG Energy Project (involving Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau) are set to help Senegal’s 2023 real GDP growth surpass the SSA average. BUA Group chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu has in turn sought to strengthen Nigeria’s food self-sufficiency and deepen intra-African trade links by ramping up rice, sugar, and edible oil production capacity and investing in critical road infrastructure ($250m Kano-Kazue-Kongolam highway project). The Nigerian industrialist and Senegalese leader discuss next steps for the private sector to defy import dependence and ignite African integration. 

Family businesses are vital to African economies and should be at the heart of strategies to develop African champions. As well as supporting growth and development, one of the key factors for family businesses is a smooth transition between generations. However, only 24% of family businesses are currently focused on involving the next generation in succession planning. In these times of polycrisis, the next generation can bring flexibility, innovation and a fresh perspective. How can they find their place in the family business? What are the key factors for a smooth succession?  

Key points: 

• Passing the baton: How can generations best communicate and collaborate to ensure the future of their family business?   

• How can governments encourage fast and flexible transitions from one generation to the next? 

• Advice, openness: What role can those outside the family play in implementing a succession plan? 

Limited number of places. Registration via the Forum App only.

During these roundtables, governments and national investment promotion agencies will present before a select group of investors and business leaders a number of impactful public-private partnership projects for stimulating economic development. Covering a range of sectors, including urban planning & smart cities, transport and housing, the roundtables provides an up-close look at some exciting projects.

Without radical change, plastic pollution is expected to triple by 2050 and account for 19% of global CO2 emissions. In Africa, where 165m tons of plastic will reach its end of life in the next ten years, this pollution comes with a considerable economic and social cost. The private sector is at the forefront of the transition to a circular economy, which could create 700,000 jobs and nearly $4.5 trillion in direct and indirect savings globally by 2040. How can African businesses and governments support the transition to a circular economy for plastics?   

Key points:  

• Cost of sustainable packaging, lack of waste collection and processing infrastructure: What options are available for companies producing and using plastics?  

• Regulatory measures, DFI support: How can the circular economy of plastics be encouraged on the continent?   

• Global treaty on plastic pollution (2024): Incorporating the African private sector’s expectations 

During this unique session, five of the continent’s most promising start-up CEOs predict the future of business. Through a series of 15-minute dynamic and interactive keynote speeches, they will help us imagine what the future might hold for their respective sectors. 

• Can AI-based agricultural solutions help overcome food insecurity in Africa? 

• To what extent can off-grid solar systems solve power distribution problems? 

• Can Africa become a health technology powerhouse?  

• Finance: Is bank dominance coming to an end?  

• Will AfCFTA’s success hinge on e-logistics? 

As the foremost annual meeting of the private sector on the continent, the AFRICA CEO FORUM is the leading platform for public-private dialogue. ‘Invest In’ sessions allow CEOs and investors to meet with high-level African government officials to gain deeper insight into their countries’ economic development strategies. These sessions provide exposure to a variety of key sectors, business environments, and public and private investment opportunities. 

Access via sign-up on the event app or by invitation only.

From Kenya to Senegal, new city projects are spreading fast across the continent to meet the needs of rapid urbanisation, provide sustainable infrastructure, and offer better quality public services. But while Diamniadio (Senegal) and New Cairo (Egypt) are roughly on track, many projects are behind schedule, with works on Eko Atlantic (Nigeria) having started over 15 years ago. Critics also warn that the projects are aimed at a privileged few, and that occupancy rates are proving disappointing. This roundtable of urban planners, governments, and the private sector explores how to make new city projects a suitable response to Africa’s urban planning challenges.  

Discussion points:  

• Diamniadio, Eko Atlantic, New Cairo: What can be learned from these projects?  

• Is the smart-city concept a viable solution to unchecked urbanisation?    

• Financial closure, occupancy rates: How can stakeholders overcome the inherent challenges?    

• Affordability, economic and social impact: How can new cities become more affordable? 

By Invitation only

The Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC) is a pan-African private sector Coalition launched by the UN Global Compact in 2022, with the vision to amplify the voice of African Business Leaders, and their ecosystems, on the continent’s most pressing issues. The Coalition involves 55+ companies representing USD 150B and over 900,000 employees, who came together in signing the ABLC Climate Statement at COP27, with commitments and calls to action on climate. The agenda of this invitation-only Regional Convening will involve demonstrating progress on the Climate Statement, discussions on implementation and areas requiring acceleration, reflections on the global climate landscape, and networking. 

Africa earns barely 10-15% of revenues generated by global value chains from its mineral resources. Amid a rush for metals in the energy transition, African countries are now aiming to move from cash to industrialised economies. From Guinea to Zambia and the DRC, initiatives aimed at promoting local processing are proliferating. But the conditions to achieve this are not always present, such as good governance, access to energy and transport, respect for ESG criteria, cross-border partnerships and trust with the private sector. How can stakeholders succeed and ensure these criteria are met?

Key points:  

• Local processing: Is there finally the political will and strategic vision?  

• Transport, energy, ESG criteria: Meeting the necessary conditions   

• Partnerships between countries: How can nations build intra-African value chains? 

The consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and a global banking crisis have raised fresh concerns about the sustainability of sovereign debt across African countries. Public debt in Africa reached 65% of GDP in 2022 versus 33% in 2010. Eurobond issuance has fallen due to high interest rates and depreciation of local currencies (by more than 70% in Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Egypt between 2013 and 2022) creating liquidity challenges and difficult debt roll-overs. What measures should be implemented to restore sustainable macroeconomic stability? What role could the private sector – banks, DFIs and capital markets – play?

Key points: 

• Exposure to external shocks: How to structurally mitigate inflation, interest rates and liquidity drying up? 

• Foreign currency exposure, debt obligations, and trade finance limitations: Innovative mechanisms to foster economic transformation  

• Financial stability: Growing the tax base to increase macroeconomic resilience and sustainability   

For family businesses only.

Only a third of family businesses have a clear and established succession plan. However, all family businesses that thrive over generations must have well-structured and robust governance. Such governance is key for longevity and growth, and enables clear processes, stability of the company shareholdings, and provides ways to overcome internal conflict. During this workshop, family business owners and managers will learn how to develop family governance, such as defining the family’s strategic vision, formalising decision-making and discussion processes within the family, and developing succession plans.  

Thirty-three African countries import at least 90% of their wheat while, without Russian fertilizers, the continent risks losing 30% of its crops in 2023. Despite Moroccan group OCP’s commitment to cover the continent’s entire fertiliser needs this year, supply disruptions and record price hikes due to the conflict in Ukraine could plunge 5m Africans into food insecurity by the end of 2023. To cope with a population boom and secure agricultural value chains, Africa must increase its productivity and climate resilience, develop its rural infrastructure and strengthen intra-African trade. But how can the continent overcome current constraints to achieve food sovereignty? 

Key points:  

• Productivity, quality and sustainability: How can African agricultural systems be structured to bolster food security and resilience?  

• Financing: What solutions should IFIs and DFIs provide to countries and the private sector?  

• Strategic stocks, AfCFTA: Promoting regional responses to anticipate crises. 

There are just 345 companies in Africa with revenues over $ 1 billion. Compare that to Asia (3,341), the USA and Canada (1,585), or Europe (2,752), and it becomes clear that Africa’s companies are leaving money on the table. What do all these companies have in common? They have cracked code to exponential returns: fast and sustained growth, and a high return on invested capital. For this CEO Talk, we have asked leaders who have reached the magic milestone and business executives of future African champions to discuss what it takes to reach a billion-dollar revenue. 

Key points:

• Winning value propositions, strategic alliances, marquee customers: recipes for exponential growth 

• National champions means national backing: the role of industrial policy as an enabler 

• Beyond borders: lessons for African companies with international ambitions 

Access via sign-up on the event app or by invitation only.

The construction industry accounts for 32% of energy-related CO2 emissions in Africa. Yet its climatic impact could be mitigated thanks to sustainable buildings, with investment opportunities estimated at nearly $770 billion by 2030. These buildings typically achieve higher sales premiums and attract more tenants. But their adoption is being hampered by the additional costs involved (5-12%), an absence of environmental standards, and lack of local technical know-how. In this closed-doors roundtable, representatives from government, DFIs and industry discuss ways to accelerate the industry’s decarbonisation.  

Discussion points: 

• Regulatory frameworks: What codes, standards and certifications should apply to sustainable building design and operations?  

• Strengthening capacity for those involved in design, construction and financing of sustainable buildings  

• Financing:  Which sources and products can stimulate growth in the green buildings market? 

• Cement, steel, bricks: How to stimulate low-carbon building material production? 

Private sector infrastructure investments fell 17% YOY in 2022, depriving African projects of essential resources. Nearly half of countries on the continent are now at high risk of over-indebtedness, with larger portions of national budgets being used to service debt, to the detriment of certain investments. Inflation and the rising cost of credit also endanger project profitability, leaving traditional lenders reluctant to invest. To attract new financing and pursue infrastructure policies, governments must be creative. From reforms and recycling of existing assets to financial innovations and climate finance, what are the solutions to mitigate the drying up of credit? 

Key points: 

• Ownership rules, market access, repatriation of foreign exchange: How to attract private sector investors through regulatory reforms?  

• Financing new projects with existing infrastructure: The case for asset-recycling  

• Sovereign risks: Can private investors do without guarantees?