Africa CEO Forum Braces Africa for Transformation

The sixth edition of the Africa CEO Forum opened on Monday 26 March with the theme “African champions: it’s transformation time” aimed at implementing action plans fostering transformation of Africa’s key enterprises.

The meeting, organized by Jeune Afrique Media Group and Rainbow Unlimited brought together three African presidents; Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, and Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo.

With around 1,600 high-level delegates from over 60 countries, the 2018 Africa CEO Forum focused on ways of ensuring that the continent’s major companies are transformed for the better.

Amir Ben Yahmed, President, and Founder of the Forum said that the 2018 edition would place the accent on “transformation” because emergence is not possible without undergoing a transformation, which is one of Africa’s biggest weaknesses.

To remedy the situation, the forum proposed a change of the private sectors that must invest more in the continent’s transformation process.

“The world around us is changing, and the African companies, as well as the economies, are not transforming enough. Therefore, we have made every effort to ensure a strong commitment to Africa’s much-needed change possible,” Mr. Yahmed said.

Zimbabwe’s Head of State, Emmerson Mnangagwa, outlined his plan for the country’s economic recovery after 17 years of isolation and absence from the international arena. He urged African investors to support each other “to avoid continually reaching out to the outside world”.

“The enemy of the African continent is the African himself and the refusal of one to see the other prosper. Unity is mandatory,” Mnangagwa said.

According to Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, Africa has enormous assets, numerous resources to exploit and develop. He said there is need to enhance the image of the continent by working together and utilizing our own resources.

President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire urged the private sector to come up with proposals, advice and make suggestions to the public as it signifies a great stride in achieving the set goals. He insisted on “training young people by investing in education, infrastructure, and the digital economy” and reassured investors about Côte d’Ivoire’s good economic health, at the same time inviting them to invest heavily.