During today’s opening remarks at a private sector engagement for the Africa CEO Forum, RDB CEO Jean-Guy Afrika highlighted the significance of the upcoming forum set to take place in Kigali in the coming weeks.
“In a few weeks, Rwanda will host the Africa CEO Forum 2026, Africa’s leading private sector platform for high-level dialogue and deal-making. It will take place over two days at the Kigali Convention Centre.” he said.
He noted that the forum will bring together leading African chief executive officers, investors, financiers, and senior public and government decision-makers, thereby creating a highly concentrated space for business engagement that is rarely available in a single setting.
According to him, this presents a major opportunity for Rwanda’s private sector to directly interact with influential continental business and policy actors, and consequently strengthen visibility as well as access to investment.
Furthermore, he explained that for local firms, the forum will have immediate practical value. In particular, it will offer opportunities to meet potential investors, identify strategic partners, and explore new commercial engagements, while also allowing companies to present expansion plans to key decision-makers.
In addition, Jean-Guy Afrika pointed out that the event will help companies measure their competitiveness against leading African businesses. At the same time, it will enable them to better understand emerging investment flows and partnership trends across the continent.
Speaking at the Private Sector Engagement ahead of the Africa CEO Forum, Private Sector Federation Chair François Twagirumukiza said the forum is a key moment for preparing Rwanda’s private sector to seize upcoming opportunities.
He noted growing demand for the event, building on the success of the 2024 edition in Kigali, and urged businesses to scale up production, diversify investments, and adopt new technologies to stay competitive.
“This session is not just informative, it’s preparatory. It ensures that our private sector is ready, aligned and positioned to fully capitalise on the opportunities that lie ahead.”
François Twagirumukiza, Chair of Private Sector Federation
Beyond networking and deal-making, the forum is expected to further strengthen Rwanda’s position as a growing hub for continental business dialogue. As a result, Kigali is increasingly being recognized as a preferred destination for high-level economic discussions and investment-focused gatherings.
Moreover, the engagement comes at a time when Rwanda continues to position its private sector as a key driver of economic transformation. Therefore, emphasis remains on competitiveness, regional expansion, and active participation in continental value chains.
With the Africa CEO Forum 2026 expected to attract a wide range of influential stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, the event is anticipated to open new opportunities for Rwandan enterprises, particularly in sectors such as finance, infrastructure, technology, agriculture, and services.
This Forum will also provide a platform for stronger policy and private sector alignment, where business leaders and public officials are expected to exchange ideas aimed at improving the investment climate and accelerating sustainable growth across the continent.
