Africa is feeling the strain as global economic turbulence intensifies. While the private sector has long been championed as the engine of growth, the urgent need to craft homegrown solutions is once again in focus.
Which is why the 2025 Africa CEO Forum could not be more timely. Set for May 12–13 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the gathering this year is under the theme “Can a new deal between state and private sector deliver the continent a winning hand?”
It will bring together thousands of leaders from business, finance and policymaking across the continent and beyond.
The Forum will centre discussions on agricultural self-sufficiency, financial innovation, digital acceleration and boosting industrial capacity; which are critical pillars for advancing sustainable development through stronger public-private collaboration.
Ahead of the two-day event, Citi News caught up with Dahlia Khalifa, IFC Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, for more on Africa’s economic prospects and what participants can expect from the Forum.
Interviewee Profile: “Dahlia Khalifa is the Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) under the World Bank Group (WBG). With a background in investment banking and management consulting, she joined the WBG in 2004. Dahlia Khalifa drives development solutions that foster private sector growth and job creation across the region. She has spearheaded initiatives aimed at equipping youth with market-relevant skills and has deep expertise in business regulation benchmarking and regulatory reform”.
Citi News [CN]: Good day, Dahlia. Thank you for making time to speak with Citi News despite your busy schedule. I imagine preparations for the Forum are really keeping you quite occupied.
Dahlia Khalifa [DK]: Good day and thank you for having me. Indeed, preparations are in full swing. With over 2,000 business leaders, investors, and policymakers expected in Abidjan on May 12–13, the Africa CEO Forum is a key moment to align strategies and catalyze partnerships. This year’s theme, “Can a new deal between state and private sector deliver the continent a winning hand?” goes to the heart of our mission at IFC. We’re excited to co-host once again and to help spotlight the leadership, innovation, and impact emerging across Africa’s private sector.
CN: This year’s Forum couldn’t come at a better time for business leaders in Africa to convene. I mean, what has it been like for the business climate on the continent in recent months?
DK: The business climate has been complex but full of opportunity. Inflation, climate shocks, and global disruptions have created headwinds, but we’re seeing strong entrepreneurial energy and growing investor appetite, especially in areas like digital transformation, renewable energy, and agribusiness. In our region, IFC committed $5.3 billion in the last fiscal year across 43 projects a 54% increase from the year before demonstrating both the demand and our conviction that the private sector can be a powerful engine for growth.
CN: Is the International Finance Corporation (IFC) concerned about the recent U.S. export tariff imposition? Is the IFC planning to support the continent and Ghana specifically in minimising the impact of such trade restrictions? One would expect the Forum to birth actionable proposals for Africa amidst ongoing trade wars.
DK: Trade restrictions and tariffs hikes can indeed disrupt economic flows, our mission remains unchanged, which is to build a productive private sector that can create more and better jobs. These challenges highlight the urgent need to strengthen intra-African supply chains and reduce dependence on external markets. In Ghana, for example, we’re focused on supporting local industries and expanding access to trade-enabling infrastructure. Across the continent, we’re deepening efforts to finance businesses that can substitute imports, add value locally, and scale regionally. This is also why the Africa CEO Forum is so timely — to push for collaborative, Africa-led solutions.
CN: There’s now declining international aid. We have the phase-out of USAID programmes and even donor fatigue. So, how should continent leaders and African development institutions step in to bridge socio-economic gaps and accelerate self-sustained growth? This must certainly be one of the pressing issues on boardroom tables at the Forum.
DK: As international aid declines, Africa has a clear opportunity to shift toward self-sustained growth and job creation must be at the heart of that transition. IFC’s 2030 Agenda is built around mobilizing private capital at scale to create more and better jobs, which we see as the most powerful driver of economic and social transformation. We’re evolving from a direct lender into a platform that channels global investment into emerging markets, especially through equity, MSME support, and new instruments that attract institutional investors. These are the building blocks that can help bridge socio-economic gaps. African leaders and development institutions have a vital role to play, creating the conditions for private sector-led growth, supporting entrepreneurship, and enabling innovation. The future of development lies in strategic partnerships and bold action to unlock opportunity and that starts with jobs.
CN: Let’s look at private capital mobilisation now. Is there any projection on how much the IFC and its partners for example can provide in terms of private equity and venture capital financing for Africa? If yes, how can Forum participants position themselves to leverage this support effectively?
DK: We’re seeing record levels of capital committed globally, IFC and our partners mobilized $56 billion for private companies and financial institutions last year, and we are on track to exceed that this year. Africa is a key priority in that. But it’s not just about the numbers it’s about quality and impact. We’re backing ventures that are job-creating, climate-resilient, and inclusive. For Forum participants, the opportunity is to bring well- designed, investment-ready projects to the table ones with clear governance, measurable outcomes, and strong local roots.
CN: So, with many successful editions behind you, what tangible impact have previous Forums and this year’s in particular has on boosting intra-African trade and advancing the realisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)?
DK: Previous Forums have played a pivotal role in boosting intra-African trade by facilitating dialogue and partnerships among business leaders and policymakers. They have helped to identify and address barriers to trade, promote investment opportunities, and foster regional integration. This year’s Forum is expected to further advance the realization of the AfCFTA by focusing on actionable strategies to enhance trade infrastructure, streamline regulatory processes, and support SMEs in accessing new markets.
CN: Interesting. But how important is the Africa CEO Forum in addressing these key barriers to doing business on the continent – such as the limited access to investment opportunities, market information and strategic networks?
DK: The Africa CEO Forum is crucial in addressing these barriers. It provides a platform for business leaders to connect, share insights, and explore investment opportunities. For example, past Forums have led to the creation of several investment funds and partnerships that have facilitated access to capital for SMEs. The Forum also facilitates access to market information and strategic networks, which are essential for making informed business decisions. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the Forum helps to identify and address the challenges that hinder business growth and fosters a collaborative approach to overcoming them.
CN: The theme this year carries considerable weight. Are there sectors of the African economy that in your view offer high potential for job creation or even require urgent recalibration for economic resilience and how can the private sector help drive this transformation we talk about?
DK: Absolutely. Sectors like agribusiness and manufacturing aimed at deepening value creation, as well as digital innovation stand out. These are areas where Africa has both comparative advantage and unmet needs. For example, value addition in agriculture can lift incomes and reduce imports. Expanding local manufacturing can create decent jobs, especially for youth. The private sector has a key role to play by investing, adopting inclusive practices, and co-developing solutions with governments. IFC is here to help bridge the gap between ambition and execution.
CN: Final point – what lies ahead for the private sector in Africa after the 2025 CEO Forum? If you were to look into the crystal ball, what would you see as the next big shift for the continent?
DK: I see a continent on the cusp of transformation with a more empowered, tech-savvy, and connected private sector at its heart. The next big shift will be the mainstreaming of green and digital innovation, alongside deeper regional integration. We’ll see more African-grown solutions, more inclusive business models, and more blended approaches that de-risk investment and deliver long-term impact. The 2025 CEO Forum is not just a milestone it’s a launchpad for what comes next.
CN: I am grateful, Dahlia Khalifa. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you. Wishing you the very best and I look forward to meeting you in Abidjan.
DK: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you as well. I look forward to seeing you in Abidjan.
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This interview was conducted by Nii Larte Lartey, Business Journalist, Citi FM and Channel One TV, Accra-Ghana. Email: [email protected].