By The Respondent Reporter
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has called for stronger African unity and bold reforms as he joined top leaders at the 2025 African CEOs Forum, which began today in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The high-level forum, taking place from May 12 to 13 at the Sofitel Hotel, was officially opened by Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara.
The gathering brings together over 3,000 African CEOs, international investors, and political leaders to discuss the continent’s economic future.
In his opening speech, President Ouattara said Africa must confront its challenges head-on. These include financial instability, limited industrial capacity, and environmental risks.
He urged African countries to add value to their raw materials to boost growth. “We cannot continue exporting what we do not process,” he said, stressing the need for economic transformation.
During a key panel discussion, Prime Minister Majaliwa joined a presidential session moderated by CNN’s Larry Madowo.
Other panelists included South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and Mauritanian President Mohamed Cheikh El-Ghazouani.
President Ramaphosa focused on regional peace efforts. He said African-led peace talks, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have started yielding results. Some foreign troops have begun pulling out, signaling progress.
“Africa must solve its own problems,” he said, calling for homegrown solutions rather than foreign interventions.
President Kagame turned attention to the private sector, describing it as essential to Africa’s economic independence.
He warned, however, that supportive policies are too slow to be implemented. “
The real issue is not a lack of ideas, but poor execution,” Kagame told the audience.
El-Ghazouani emphasized joint efforts between governments and businesses. He said public-private partnerships are key to social and economic stability across the continent.
Prime Minister Majaliwa is expected to feature again in a discussion later today, alongside fellow Prime Ministers from Guinea, Cameroon, and the host country, Ivory Coast.
His continued presence signals Tanzania’s commitment to regional dialogue and business-driven development.
As the forum enters its second day, African leaders face a familiar challenge: turning promising dialogue into real, lasting change. The call is clear—Africa must lead its own transformation.