PM Dion Ngute Woos Investors at Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan

More than 2,000 CEOs, investors, Heads of State, and Ministers from across Africa and beyond are meeting in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, for a major business forum that could reshape African economies.

Among them is Cameroon’s Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, who is seizing the moment to court potential investors on the sidelines of the forum.

On Monday, May 12, the Prime Minister held what he described as an “insightful discussion” with Amir Ben Yahmed, CEO of Jeune Afrique Media Group.

Though he didn’t reveal specifics of the conversation, Dion Ngute sounded upbeat about the exchange.

Jeune Afrique is one of Africa’s top media powerhouses, known for its exclusive coverage of politics and high-profile figures across the continent.

Leading Cameroon’s delegation, the Prime Minister aims to network with corporate leaders and convince companies to bring their businesses to Cameroon—one of CEMAC’s economic heavyweights.

The country boasts untapped potential in mining, agriculture, and tourism.

During last year’s edition of the forum, Dion Ngute made a compelling pitch to investors, inviting them to explore Cameroon’s abundant business opportunities.

“Africa is putting itself on display in Abidjan to attract foreign investment. Africa CEO Forum is positioned as a major brand for promoting investment opportunities in Africa,” he said during a meeting with an Ivorian Minister.

Driving a New Deal for Africa

The two-day forum, which runs from May 12 to 14, features high-level debates, negotiations, workshops, and discussions aimed at laying the foundation for a “New Deal” for Africa.

This year’s agenda centers on major themes such as Africa’s AI vision, energy transition, supply chain resilience amid global trade tensions, and turning divestments into dominance.

Striking Partnerships for Economic Resilience

The Africa CEO Forum also presents a critical opportunity for private sector actors and governments to strike meaningful partnerships for economic transformation.

According to the forum’s website, the global economic landscape is undergoing a radical shift.

“The resurgence of economic nationalism is no longer a distant threat; it is a defining reality, shaping policies from the Americas to Asia and Europe,” a statement shared on the site reads.

It warns that Africa must brace for the consequences:
“Financing African growth will become harder, with capital seeking a safe haven due to economic volatility, governments needing to step in where development aid has been cancelled, and the costs of living and debt servicing reaching new heights.”

In this context, the forum seeks to rally stakeholders around a bold vision, that of recognising that the private sector could become Africa’s true superpower.

Economic resilience, it argues, will now depend on agricultural self-sufficiency, financial innovation, digital acceleration, and industrial capacity—areas where the private sector plays a central role.

“It’s now time for governments to strike a new deal with the African private sector. A New Deal anchored on three pillars: Improvement of Governance and Accountability. Targeted Public Policies Addressing Africa’s Structural Challenges. Accelerated Continental Free Trade Agreement Implementation.”

Ouattara Opens Forum with Call for Intra-African Trade

Welcoming participants at the forum’s opening, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara further acknowledged the seismic changes shaking today’s world.

“The world is undergoing profound upheavals and major shifts in the geopolitical, economic, and financial spheres,” he said.

Despite global uncertainties, he noted that Côte d’Ivoire continues to post strong and steady economic growth, thanks to sound macroeconomic policies and robust private-sector investments.

“We must now work to strengthen intra‑African trade by continuing our efforts to process our raw materials and by accelerating the implementation of the AfCFTA. I hope that this edition of the Africa CEO Forum will be a moment of truth and commitment, enabling us to design concrete and ambitious solutions together,” he stated.