Cameroon Asserts Strategic Presence at Africa CEO Forum 2025

May 21, 2025

(3 Minutes Read)

Cameroon has made a strong statement at the Africa CEO Forum 2025 in Abidjan, showcasing its ambition to shape the continent’s evolving economic landscape. A high-profile delegation led by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute includes top public officials and influential business leaders, underscoring the strategic value Cameroon places on this continental event.

Key representatives such as Abakal Mahamat (BGFIBank Cameroon), Patrice Melom (Autonomous Port of Kribi), and Patrice Yantho (JMJ Participation) reflect the vitality and diversity of the Cameroonian economy.

Held under the theme “Can a Public-Private New Deal Reshuffle the Cards in Favour of the Continent?”, the forum focuses on redefining cooperation between governments and the private sector. Discussions center on three main pillars: governance, public policy, and accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Cameroon’s participation aligns with its national goals to drive industrialisation and attract innovative financing.

In a global context of rising protectionism, dwindling development aid, and mounting debt costs, African leaders are urged to rethink economic strategies. The forum serves as a crucial platform to explore emerging solutions, including artificial intelligence for governance, sustainable energy transition, and supply chain resilience.

According to Amir Ben Yahmed, President of the Africa CEO Forum, Africa’s economic breakthrough relies heavily on a dynamic and empowered private sector. “There is no alternative: Africa must dismantle structural barriers to its development,” he emphasised.

The presence of rising entrepreneurial voices like Yelena Fotso (Anfel Consulting) and Youssoufa Bouba (Afriland First Bank) illustrates the emergence of a new generation committed to leading change. As the swift implementation of the AfCFTA remains a top priority, Cameroon, thanks to its strategic location and industrial assets, aims to capitalise on this continental drive to deepen its economic integration and expand South-South cooperation.