Programme

Africa’s private sector needs scale to absorb global shocks – but which types of companies will have the wherewithal to get there? As aid recedes, conflict in the Middle East ripples through markets and investors retreat to safer ground, will some African companies simply fail? Africa CEO Forum WebTV previews the summit’s central theme: a shared ownership model built on cross-border infrastructure, aligned regulations and shared equity – and asks if the foundations to build business scale are achievable?

The Iran conflict and US import tariffs could profoundly impact the trajectory for African businesses. Africa had been projected to outpace the global economy in 2026 & 2027 – but does that outlook still hold? Global politics has entered the equation. President Trump has extended a 30% import tariff on South Africa; dozens of African nations have lost their African Growth and Opportunity Act benefits with the US, and fuel prices in African nations have been sent soaring due to Middle East conflict. What can Africa and its private sector do to stay ahead? 

Generative AI could pull in up to $103 billion in annual economic value across sectors in Africa, predict analysts. Fintechs and banks are already deploying AI to combat fraud; agri-tech firms are adopting it to optimize food supply chains and businesses are using chatbots to reinvent the customer experience. Are such companies taking the plunge into AI seeing cost savings that justify the spend – and how well do AI models fit African business realities?

African economies are reeling from fuel price surges driven by the Middle East conflict, which has created what the International Energy Agency (IEA) calls the “largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market”. Accounting for around 25% of Africa’s electricity generation – but just 5% of continental energy consumption – modern renewables could provide a safety net, with solar installations rising 54% year-on-year. Will they be enough for Africa – home of the world’s best solar resources – to soften the blow of global energy volatility now and in the years ahead? 

Lending is the largest revenue base for African banks, projected to hit $52bn by 2030. While credit has been a goldmine for banks, businesses are concerned that the cost of borrowing is too expensive. The latest data from Kenya’s central bank suggests average commercial bank interest rates on business loans are around 17%, compared with 3.6% for corporate borrowing in the euro area. Are such rates sustainable – or will Africa’s expanding businesses turn to private credit, fintech and other non-bank sources?