Group to mobilize private sector for Africa's economic growth at forum

The NEPAD Business Group Nigeria (NBGN) will convene business leaders, policymakers, development partners, and regional economic actors to explore strategies for deepening private sector engagement in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and advancing Africa’s economic transformation agenda though its business forum.

The high-level business forum which will hold on Thursday, 30 October 2025, at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme: ‘Mobilising Africa’s Private Sector for AfCFTA towards Africa’s Economic Development Amid Global Uncertainty.’

According to the organisers, the event aims to stimulate practical dialogue and partnership on the role of the private sector in driving intra-African trade, industrial competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth. Discussions will focus on key areas such as policy alignment, trade facilitation, investment promotion, value-chain development, and industrial cooperation across African economies.

The forum is expected to attract participants from government ministries and agencies, financial institutions, regional economic communities, chambers of commerce, development organisations, and captains of industry from within and outside Nigeria.

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Speaking ahead of the Forum, Bashorun Randle, the Chairman of NEPAD Business Group Nigeria, emphasised the pivotal role of the private sector in Africa’s development under the AfCFTA framework.

“The private sector remains the engine of Africa’s transformation. Through this Forum, we aim to build actionable strategies that will strengthen Africa’s economic resilience, promote cross-border trade, and ensure inclusive prosperity for all,” he stated.

The outcomes of the event are expected to contribute to policy recommendations and strategic frameworks that will enhance regional trade integration and promote the realisation of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.