By Fatima Sajida Isa
A renowned scholar of Law, Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, has highlighted the key takeaways from the just concluded 2026 Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, held on May 14-15.
According to Professor Ladan, the 2026 Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda (May 14-15), centered on the theme “Scale or Fail: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership,” emphasizing that African businesses must collaborate on capital, infrastructure, and markets to compete globally.
Professor Ladan said that with over 2,800 participants, the forum highlighted that to succeed, firms must bridge the gap from small-scale operations to regional giants through cross-border partnerships.
He noted that President Paul Kagame and various leaders stressed the urgent need to stop exporting raw materials and instead focus on value-added manufacturing, especially in critical energy minerals like lithium, cobalt, and copper.
Professor Ladan stated that discussions focused on developing domestic capital and investment that remains on the continent to build resilient industries rather than relying solely on foreign aid.
He said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was identified as a critical tool for boosting intra-African trade, which currently remains below 10% in some regions.
According to Prof. Ladan, there was a strong call for creating unified digital frameworks and investing in cross-border energy networks to power industrial development.
He added that the success of the Dangote Refinery—which is now exporting refined products—was highlighted as a prime example of the value-added, “made-in-Africa” approach advocated at the forum.
Prof. Ladan said the forum focused on building “African champions” and ensuring that capital is available for companies to scale effectively.
He stated that discussions emphasized the need for “Digital Public Infrastructure” to reduce dependencies on external licenses and promote local value creation.
Professor Ladan noted that a powerful address from Rwandan President Paul Kagame urged African leaders to challenge the global narrative and prioritize their own economic sovereignty over the demands of major global economic powers.