African Blueprint Summit Unites Political and Economic Powerhouses in Abuja to Chart a New Course for Continental Trade
The Africa CEO Club (ACC), globally recognized as “The Davos of Africa,” successfully convened its annual Africa Blueprint Summit 2025 at the prestigious Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC). The high-level gathering achieved a powerful synergy between government and the private sector, featuring the attendance of Nigeria’s foremost political, economic, and diplomatic figures.
The summit, themed “Redefining Leadership, Trade, and Innovation for a New African Economy,” underscored the urgent need for a unified strategy to unlock Africa’s full economic potential
Government and Private Sector Alignment
The event was significantly elevated by the presence of the highest levels of Nigerian government leadership, signaling a firm commitment to private sector-led growth.
His Excellency, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, the Deputy Senate President, gave a keynote address that focused on legislative support for business growth, highlighting the National Assembly’s commitment to passing policies that secure investments and streamline operations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullah, the Minister of State for Agriculture, provided deep insights into the necessity of revitalizing the agricultural value chain. His remarks centered on leveraging private sector innovation to achieve food security and transform farming into a highly competitive, technologically-driven industry across the continent.
Dr. Fatoumatta Gaye, President of the Africa CEO Club, emphasized the necessity of this robust collaboration: “Africa’s economic destiny hinges on the partnership between visionary private sector leaders and responsive policymakers. This summit was a living demonstration of that unity—a joint declaration of our intent to move from potential to undeniable prosperity.”
A Spectrum of Influence and Diplomacy
The breadth of attendees underscored the ACC’s ability to convene diverse, influential voices. Key figures included: Senator Shehu Sani, whose insightful remarks addressed the crucial link between national security, governance, and a stable environment for investment.
Dr. Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, the Mandate Secretary of FCT Women Affairs, who championed the critical role of women in the economy, ensuring that the dialogue on prosperity was inclusive and focused on unlocking “Her Voice, Her Power” across all sectors.
H.E. Mersole J. Mellejor (Philippines Ambassador to Nigeria and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS), underscoring the summit’s broad diplomatic and economic reach and its focus on fostering robust South-South cooperation.
The core discussions focused sharply on unlocking the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), streamlining cross-border logistics, and positioning African businesses to compete on a global scale through sustainable innovation.
Reinforcing the ACC’s Mandate
The summit culminated in the official Investiture of new Board Members and the prestigious induction of Elite, Gold, and Silver Members into the Africa CEO Club. This reinforced the ACC’s mandate as the continent’s most powerful executive network committed to tangible economic impact and policy advocacy.
The new members were hailed as the “doers”—individuals committed to shaping markets, defining policy directions, and transforming the continent’s growth trajectory.
