WHAT: The African Development Bank Group Private Sector Forum, held during the Bank Group's 2026 Annual Meetings
WHO: African Development Bank Group
WHEN: Monday, 25 May 2026, 09:00 a.m.-12:45 p.m. WAT (GMT+1)
WHERE: Tente Congo Oubangui, Kintele International Conference Center, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
The African Development Bank Group will host its Private Sector Forum on the sidelines of the Bank Group's 2026 Annual Meetings in Brazzaville.
Under the theme "Role and Challenges of Private Enterprise in the Development of Economic Corridors and the Structural Transformation of African Economies through the Industrialization of Cross-Border Value Chains and Intra-Regional Trade," the forum will spotlight how private enterprise can accelerate Africa's industrialization, regional trade, and structural transformation through stronger value chains, investment, and partnerships.
It will bring together policymakers, business leaders, financial institutions, development partners, entrepreneurs, and investors for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and networking.
Panelists will include Ismaël Nab, Guinea's Minister of Planning, International Cooperation and Development, Boitumelo Mosako, CEO, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Félix Bikpo, Chairman of the African Guarantee Fund, Célestin Tawamba, founder and chairman of the Cadyst Group, and Sanata Lone-Thiam, Managing Director of UBA Bank
The event will feature high-level statements, a signing ceremony, a presentation of the Bank's private sector development strategy, expert panel discussions, and a business-to-business networking session. Key discussions will focus on regional economic corridors, innovative finance for small and medium enterprises and national champions, entrepreneurship, and private sector-led growth.
The Bank Group encourages media, private sector representatives, chambers of commerce, investors, commercial and development banks, public agencies, entrepreneurs, and other ecosystem actors to attend and help shape solutions for Africa's economic transformation. Journalists are invited to attend.
The 2026 Annual Meetings, comprising the 61st Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank and the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the African Development Fund are taking place in Brazzaville, Congo from 25 to 29 May 2026.
