President Bola Tinubu arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, on Wednesday ahead of the 13th edition of the Africa CEO Forum, marking a key diplomatic and economic stop aimed at boosting cross-border investment and regional integration across the continent. The high-profile gathering, which officially opens on Thursday, brings together top-tier private sector leaders, investors, and policymakers to debate sustainable economic transformation strategies.
Upon touching down at the Presidential Wing of the Kigali International Airport, President Tinubu was officially received by a high-ranking delegation that included Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, and Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda. The arrival sets the stage for a packed itinerary focused on bilateral partnerships and economic diplomacy.
Several other senior officials and security heads joined the airport reception, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed. Also present to welcome the Nigerian leader were the Nigerian Chargé d’Affaires in Rwanda, Ambassador Ibrahim Zanna, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare.
The Scale Imperative and Nigeria’s Economic Agenda
Founded in 2012 by Jeune Afrique Media and co-hosted by the International Finance Corporation, the Africa CEO Forum has expanded into the continent’s largest annual gathering of private sector leaders, investors and policymakers. This year’s summit operates under the theme “The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership,” directing attention toward collaborative regional growth and cross-border commercial scaling.
President Tinubu is scheduled to address the summit directly, taking center stage for a session titled “Holding the Line: Nigeria’s Reform Bet in a Fractured World.” During his address, the Nigerian leader intends to outline the tangible outcomes of his administration’s ongoing domestic economic reforms. He will emphasize the necessity of maintaining fiscal and structural discipline despite broader macroeconomic volatility and global financial uncertainty.
High-Level Bilateral Meetings and Strategic Partnerships
Beyond the main plenary sessions, President Tinubu’s schedule in Kigali features a series of closed-door bilateral meetings with prominent African and international business executives. These discussions are designed to unlock fresh capital, forge long-term investment partnerships, and reinforce bilateral economic channels between Nigeria and its continental trade partners.
According to official statements released regarding the trip, the Nigerian leader will use the forum to reiterate his administration’s unwavering dedication to African unity and regional integration. By championing private sector-led development, the high-level engagement seeks to position Nigerian enterprise at the forefront of sustainable growth across the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Next Steps at the Summit
The 13th edition of the Africa CEO Forum officially commences on Thursday, May 14, with panel discussions, sectoral workshops, and investment roundtables scheduled to run through the end of the week. Official updates, forum communiqués, and presidential engagement summaries will be published through official government communication channels as the summit proceeds.
Worth a look