WATCH | Ramaphosa lands in Ivory Coast for power-packed CEO summit

Ramaphosa

Abidjan – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, for a working visit to attend the 12th edition of the Africa CEO Forum.

The visit follows an invitation from Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara and aims to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations while promoting South Africa’s economic and investment agenda.

The high-level forum, taking place from 12 to 13 May 2025, is convened under the theme: “Can a New Deal Between State and Private Sector Deliver the Continent a Winning Hand?”

The theme aligns with current continental priorities that seek to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors, particularly in infrastructure and industrial development.

“The President’s participation at the Africa CEO Forum will provide South Africa with an opportunity to consolidate its position as one of the leading investment destinations on the continent.

“Importantly, South Africa’s G20 Presidency will further enhance the country’s visibility at the Forum,” the presidency said in a statement.

The Africa CEO Forum is widely regarded as the leading platform for high-level engagement among CEOs of major African and multinational corporations, investors, heads of state, ministers, and financial institutions. Since its inception, it has facilitated strategic business discussions and showcased innovative development initiatives.

Ivory Coast remains a key strategic partner for South Africa in West Africa.

The two nations have strengthened bilateral cooperation in recent years, highlighted by President Ramaphosa’s state visit to Abidjan in December 2021 and President Ouattara’s reciprocal visit to Pretoria in July 2022.

South African companies such as MTN, Nedbank, Multichoice, Sanlam, and the Development Bank of Southern Africa have made notable investments in Ivory Coast.

As part of this year’s Forum, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, in collaboration with Brand South Africa, will host a dedicated “Invest South Africa” session to promote further economic opportunities.

Ramaphosa is accompanied by Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe and Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

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