Africa CEO Forum kicks off in Ivory Coast

By Gokhan Kavak

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Africa CEO Forum, the largest annual event dedicated to the development of private sector in Africa, kicked off in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Monday.

The two-day forum will discuss the steps for Africa’s development in the post-pandemic era after COVID-19.

Delivering the event’s opening speech, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara drew attention to the importance of the forum organized for African countries struggling with different problems.

“This forum offers unique opportunities for Africa, which is facing various crises,” Ouattara said.

He underscored the need for structural changes in the continent’s economy, adding that Africa is at a turning point and the annual summit will enable structural transformations.

During the forum, developments in many areas including vaccine production, supply chain disruptions, and digitalization of the economy, as well as health and energy, will be addressed.

Hosted by the Jeune Afrique Media Group and the International Finance Corporation, the event is being attended by nearly 1,800 senior private sector representatives, diplomats and politicians from 70 countries, mostly from Africa.

Türkiye’s Ambassador to Abidjan Havva Yonca Gunduz Ozceri and Anadolu Agency African News Editor Hasan Huseyin Kosger are representing Türkiye at the event.

The African CEO Forum, which was first held in 2012 and is held annually, was last held in Rwanda in 2019.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan