Tinubu Lands in Kigali for Africa CEO Forum, to Pitch Nigeria’s Reform Agenda

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday arrived in Kigali ahead of the 13th Africa CEO Forum, where he is expected to present Nigeria’s reform agenda and engage top business and policy leaders on driving growth across the continent.

The President touched down at the Presidential Wing of Kigali International Airport and was received by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, alongside Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda.

Also on hand to welcome the President were the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Rwanda, Ibrahim Zanna; and the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.

The Africa CEO Forum, founded in 2012 by Jeune Afrique Media and co-hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is widely regarded as the continent’s largest annual gathering of private sector leaders, investors and policymakers. This year’s edition, which begins Thursday, is themed “The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership.”

At the forum, President Tinubu is scheduled to deliver a keynote address titled “Holding the Line: Nigeria’s Reform Bet in a Fractured World.” The speech is expected to highlight the administration’s economic reforms and underscore the importance of policy consistency in navigating global economic uncertainties.

According to the State House, the President will also participate in high-level bilateral meetings with African and global business leaders, focusing on investment opportunities, regional integration and strengthening Nigeria’s economic partnerships.

The summit provides a platform for African leaders to push for deeper cooperation, particularly in areas of infrastructure, trade and cross-border investments. Tinubu is expected to use the engagement to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to driving continental unity and positioning the country as a key player in Africa’s economic transformation.

The Presidency said the participation aligns with ongoing efforts to attract investment, expand market access and promote private sector-led development as part of Nigeria’s broader growth strategy.

President Tinubu’s engagements in Kigali are also expected to reinforce Nigeria’s leadership role in shaping policy conversations around sustainable development and economic resilience across Africa.