President Cyril Ramaphosa is attending the Africa CEO Forum in Côte d’Ivoire this week. He’s also there to strengthen bilateral relations with that country. At the same time, the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe and the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, are accompanying him on this working visit.

President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Africa CEO Forum

The President was invited to West Africa by his counterpart in that country, Alassane Ouattara. The visit revolves around the 12th edition of the Africa CEO Forum, which takes place today and tomorrow (12 and 13 May 2025.) According to the Spokesperson for the President, Vincent Magwenya, the theme for this year’s session is “Can a New Deal Between State and Private Sector Deliver the Continent a Winning Hand?”.

The President was invited to West Africa by President Alassane Ouattara

He says the theme resonates with the current priorities of the African Continent. These seek to promote closer cooperation between the private sector and the public sector in infrastructure and industrial development. At the same time, the President’s working visit to Côte d’Ivoire will consolidate existing bilateral relations between the countries.

To promote closer cooperation between the private sector and the public sector

Magwenya says the Africa CEO Forum is the leading platform for CEOS of the largest continental and multinational companies, investors, Heads of State and Government, Ministers and representatives of financial institutions. He says that, since its launch, this event has served as the place of high-level business meetings where innovations are showcased and business ideas exchanged. According to the Presidency, Côte d’Ivoire, which is the host of this year’s Forum, is one of South Africa’s strategic partners in West Africa.

The “Invest South Africa” session

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition will host an event on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum. The gathering is called the “Invest South Africa” session and takes place in collaboration with BrandSA. Magwenay says several key South African companies have invested in Côte d’Ivoire, including MTN, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Nedbank, Debonairs Pizza, Stanbic, Investec, Rand Merchant Bank, Absa, Multichoice, Sanlam, Solenta Aviation and Carrick Wealth.