By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu is expected to be among the leading public figures attending the next edition of the Africa CEO Forum, which will take place on May 14-15, 2026, in Kigali, Rwanda

A strong Nigerian private-sector delegation will also take part, including Mr Aliko Dangote, Mr Wale Tinubu, Mr Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Mrs Adesuwa Ladoja, Mrs Rachel More-Oshodi, Mrs Zouera Youssoufou, Mr Karim Noujaim, Mr Dany Abboud, Mr Ayo Otuyalo and Mr Chukwuerika Achum. Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, will also be present.

According to a statement on Tuesday, the 2026 edition will convene in Kigali to address a defining question for Africa’s future: how to achieve the scale necessary to compete, integrate and thrive in a fragmenting world.

It comes as global power dynamics continue to evolve, while the ability of Africa to rely on competitive, agile and internationally integrated corporate champions has become a defining corporate imperative. In this shifting global landscape, one lesson is clear: scale is no longer optional. It is the first line of defence.

Organised by Jeune Afrique Media Group and co-hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Africa CEO Forum 2026 will convene Africa’s leading public and private decision-makers around a clear conviction: scale can only be achieved through shared African ownership.

The Forum will explore three strategic levers to build continental scale. First is shared equity, which will look to unlock cross-border equity investment to create multinational African champions. Mobilise African institutional capital across markets to strengthen resilience and enhance long-term returns.

Also, is shared infrastructure, which will take on designing complementary infrastructure to integrate African value chains. Champion transformative projects that serve regional, not merely national, needs and create truly connected markets.

Thirdly is shared frameworks, which is set to harmonise standards, rules and regulations to boost investor confidence and enable the free flow of capital, goods and services. Build future-proof digital rails for health, education, agriculture and cross-border payments.

Speaking on this, Mr Amir Ben Yahmed, President of the Africa CEO Forum, stated: “If Africa wants to compete in a world defined by scale, it must move beyond economic patriotism and embrace a new model: African capital investing together. Shared ownership, cross-border partnerships and continental ambition will define the economic future of Africa and the next generation of African champions.”

On his part, Mr Makhtar Diop, Managing Director at IFC, stated: “Africa has the capital and the opportunity to grow and create quality jobs. What matters now is putting that capital to work at scale. That means building trust, sharing risk, and investing across borders. The Africa CEO Forum brings leaders together to connect policy and private investment, and to help shape Africa’s next phase of growth.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, has directed the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to investigate the allegations of systemic efforts to undermine local barge operators at the nation’s seaports.

The Minister issued the directive during the recent 2026 First Quarter Citizens/Stakeholders’ Engagement, Sectoral Performance Review, and Ministerial Management Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, held in Lagos.

During the engagement, representatives of barge operators alleged that there was a coordinated and deliberate attempt by certain foreign interests to edge them out of business.

According to the Special Adviser to the Minister, Mr Bolaji Akinola, they claimed that these actions, if left unchecked, could significantly weaken local capacity and disrupt the balance of competition within Nigeria’s maritime logistics chain.

The operators expressed concern that policies, operational bottlenecks, and preferential treatment allegedly being accorded to some foreign-linked entities by certain terminal operators were creating an uneven playing field.

According to them, these challenges are gradually eroding their market share and threatening the survival of indigenous businesses.

Responding to the concerns, the minister emphasised the federal government’s commitment to protecting local investments and ensuring fair competition within the maritime industry.

He directed the council, as the port economic regulator, to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the claims.

Mr Oyetola stressed that any form of anti-competitive behaviour or policy inconsistency that disadvantages Nigerian businesses would not be tolerated.

The minister also reiterated the importance of stakeholder engagement as a platform for identifying sectoral challenges and shaping responsive policy interventions, stressing that the government remains focused on strengthening the marine and blue economy sector as a driver of national growth, job creation, and sustainable development.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, improved performance, and sustained growth in the maritime sector, as the country recorded zero piracy incidents on its territorial waters for the fourth consecutive year.

This came with the signing of its 2026 Sectoral Performance Bond, overseen by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola.

According to the Director-General of NIMASA, Mr Dayo Mobereola, the Performance Bond is a key governance instrument for tracking deliverables, strengthening institutional accountability, and aligning the Agency’s operations with national priorities.

He stated that NIMASA’s ongoing reforms are driven by purposeful leadership and strategic ministerial support, adding that the Agency remains committed to delivering on its mandate in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

On maritime security, Mobereola disclosed that Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents in its territorial waters over the past four years, attributing the milestone to enhanced surveillance systems and improved inter-agency collaboration.

He further revealed that the Agency is at an advanced stage of automating its ship registry processes, a move expected to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness in global maritime business.

Providing an update on the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), the NIMASA boss said more than 60 applications have been received since the portal was launched in January 2026, assuring that the disbursement process will be transparent and strictly monitored.

Mr Mobereola also noted that Nigeria has deposited three conventions with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), while three others are awaiting Federal Executive Council approval, underscoring the country’s commitment to international maritime standards.

Speaking further, he noted that Nigeria’s election into category C at the IMO Council in November 2025 restored its voice in global maritime governance and strengthened its leadership role in Africa.

In his remarks, Minister Oyetola reiterated the federal government’s commitment to using the maritime sector to drive economic diversification, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings.

He stressed that the Performance Bonds are binding commitments that will be closely monitored, declaring that “accountability is not optional.”