At 12th Africa CEO Forum in Cote d'Ivoire: PM Dion Ngute markets Cameroon's opportunities to investors.

The widely saluted exploit is part of his impressive presence at the 12th edition of the Africa Chief Executive Officers, CEO Forum that ends today in the West African country.

In line with the theme of the Forum: “Can a New Deal Between State and Private Sector Deliver the Continent a Winning Hand?”, the PM is pushing Cameroon’s investment niceties to the business community in Africa and across the world.

At the close of yesterday, the Star Building occupant held talks with at least 10 different delegations, from the vast investment community attending the high-level forum. 

The businesspersons showed interest in investing in sectors such as mining, fertiliser production, solar energy, hydropower generation, agriculture among others. 

This was after they had listened to the Prime Minister, detailing to them measures which the Head of State, Paul Biya, has rolled out to improve the country’s business climate.

Dion Ngute made his in-routes during the Business-to-Business, B2B meetings, that formed part of the confab. Besides marketing Cameroon, at least 40 investors from Cameroon are part of the PM’s delegation, showcasing their savoir faire to the business world.

‘Cameroon a vital force’

Before yesterday’s shrewd business engagement along the lines of the country’s National Development Strategy, 2020-2030, SND20, PM Dion Ngute had been active since Sunday May 11, 2025.

He held a meeting with the Amir Ben Yamed, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Jean Afrique Media Group. Emerging from the audience, Yamed saluted Cameroon’s commitment to the forum.

 He lauded the constancy of Cameroon’s participation, noting that it has become a major force. Yamed said “this is a very important moment for Africa and for Cameroon of course. Given the international context and what is happening in world trade, the tariffs and everything, it is a moment stakeholders in the African economy; whether they are Ministers, Prime Ministers or CEOs, must get together to discuss the new ideas”. Yamed said it is time to unleash the power of the private sector to power African growth.

More audiences today

Today, PM Dion Ngute is expected to meet with other international investors. During such side meetings, the Head of Government would present to business tycoons the attractiveness and opportunities of the Cameroonian market.

Cameroon at heart of shaping Africa’s future

It should be said that the Prime Minister, Head of Government, is among several African leaders, business executives and investors brainstorming on a new blueprint to elevate public-private partnership for the continent, in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Discussions, which went underway yesterday, will end today, with a common position from participants on how to up public-private partnership. 

To recall that PM Dion Ngute arrived the West African nation on Saturday May 10, 2025, for the gathering. He is among African addressing the gathering. They are making proposals for a new deal on boosting public-private partnership.

Beyond the continental picture and agenda driving discourses at the meeting, PM Dion Ngute has kept Cameroon’s interest alive.

As at yesterday, among key speakers who had addressed the gathering were the President of Cote d’Ivoire, Allasan Draman Ouattara, and the Managing Director, MD of the International Finance Cooperation, IFC, Makhtar Diop.

Both President Outtara and Diop averred that Africa needs a new public-private partnership arrangement to fully exploits its potential.

They also insisted on the need for African countries to make the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, AfCTA, scheme, a reality to boost trade among nations.

Ouattara and Diop, in their opening speeches, also found common ground on the need for Africa to scale back on the exportation of its natural resources. 

The personalities said as the continent brainstorms to give its people a better future in a more competitive and restrictive world, efforts must intensify in the transformation of its riches, to create wealth and opportunities for its youthful population.

They also called on the continent to exploit the advantages of Artificial Intelligence, AI, to boost development.

Meanwhile, Diop had said prior to the holding of the forum, that: “By advancing locally driven solution and enhancing their investment readiness, we are working with Africa’s private sector leaders to pioneer new and sustainable models of progress.”

As at yesterday, the event witnessed an Opening Panel and a Presidential Panel, which had in attendance the Heads of State of four countries. 

Other presentations at the forum are expected to touch on infrastructure, land management, industry and legal framework for business in Africa. A total of 2,000 business executives and leaders are attending the forum.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3447 of Tuesday May 13, 2025