THE NEPAD Business Group Nigeria (NBGN) will be hosting a High-Level Business Forum on Thursday, 30 October 2025, at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme: “Mobilising Africa’s Private Sector for AfCFTA towards Africa’s Economic Development Amid Global Uncertainty.”
The Forum 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 Nigeria and Africa’s economic transformation agendas.
According to the organizers, the event aims to promote partnerships and stimulate practical dialogue on the role of the private sector in driving intra-African trade, industrial competitiveness, as well as inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development. Discussions will focus on key areas such as policy alignment, trade facilitation, investment promotion, value-chain development, and industrial cooperation across African economies.
The High-Level Forum is expected to attract participants from relevant ministries departments and agencies of national and subnational governments, financial institutions, regional economic communities, organised private sector groups, business membership organisations including chambers of commerce, economic sectoral associations, development organizations, and captains of industry from within and outside Nigeria.
Ahead of the Forum, the Chairman of NEPAD Business Group Nigeria, Bashorun J. K. Randle, emphasized 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 formulation and implementation as well as establishment of strategic frameworks that will enhance regional trade integration and promote the realization of Nigeria’s Agenda 2050, African Union’s Agenda 2063 (The Africa We Want) and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
