The Africa CEO Forum 2026, which brought together more than 2,800 participants including heads of state, senior government officials, and top executives from leading companies across Africa and beyond, has been described as a major milestone in Rwanda’s investment promotion and economic diplomacy agenda.
The forum concluded in Kigali on May 15, 2026, marking the second time Rwanda has hosted Africa’s leading private sector and policy dialogue platform in its three editions. It served as a high-level meeting point for governments and investors to discuss economic transformation, trade, and cross-border cooperation across the continent.
Officials and business leaders say Rwanda emerged from the two-day event with a wide range of investment commitments, strategic partnerships, and signed agreements expected to accelerate growth in key sectors including energy, tourism, infrastructure, and technology.
Major investment agreements signed
Through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Rwanda signed cooperation agreements with several institutions, including the National Investment and Export Promotion Agency of Benin (APIEX), Elsewedy Group of Egypt, Sunrise Resorts & Cruises, and Busara Advisors Inc. of the United States.
A key agreement with Elsewedy Electric focuses on energy and industrial development projects, including plans to establish a smart meter manufacturing facility for water and electricity, electric vehicle charging systems, and power transformers. The initiative aligns with Rwanda’s broader agenda to modernize utility management and expand clean energy infrastructure.
Rwanda also signed a partnership with APIEX aimed at strengthening investment promotion and export development between Rwanda and Benin, with emphasis on attracting foreign direct investment and boosting bilateral trade.
Another agreement with Busara Advisors Inc. establishes cooperation in policy advisory services to support government planning and development strategies.
In the tourism sector, Sunrise Resorts & Cruises committed to developing hospitality infrastructure on a 10-hectare site in Kiyovu, Kigali, and in Kinigi, Musanze District. The Egyptian hospitality company operates luxury resorts across major destinations including the Red Sea and Zanzibar, and is expected to contribute to Rwanda’s growing high-end tourism industry.
Tourism and asset management partnerships
The Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) also signed agreements aimed at strengthening tourism investment and improving management of hospitality assets.
One agreement with AGL and The Lux Collective will see Akagera Game Lodge managed under internationally recognized luxury brands, including LUX and SALT, positioning the facility within the premium tourism market.
RSSB also entered into a transaction agreement with Cleo Capital Group Ltd involving share acquisition and restructuring of the management of Akagera Game Lodge, which was previously fully owned by RSSB.
Energy and infrastructure developments
The forum also facilitated preliminary agreements for major infrastructure projects, including plans for a 200MWp solar power plant with battery storage systems and a large-scale water treatment facility with a capacity of 450,000 cubic metres per day.
Women and youth empowerment initiatives
Several initiatives targeting inclusive economic growth were announced during the forum, including a partnership between Spiro and Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) to provide 500 electric motorcycles to women entrepreneurs. The programme aims to expand economic opportunities for women while supporting Rwanda’s green mobility agenda.
Visa-free travel agreement with Nigeria
On the diplomatic front, Nigeria announced visa-free entry for Rwandan citizens for stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business, and other lawful purposes.
The decision followed high-level talks between President Paul Kagame and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Kigali during the forum. Nigerian authorities described the move as reciprocal, noting Rwanda’s existing visa-on-arrival policy for Nigerian and other African travellers.
Strengthening Rwanda’s investment profile
Government officials and private sector leaders say the Africa CEO Forum reinforced Rwanda’s position as one of Africa’s leading investment destinations, providing a platform for high-level networking, deal-making, and policy dialogue.
They added that the agreements signed are expected to translate into concrete projects that support Rwanda’s long-term economic transformation and broader continental integration goals.
Rwanda signs agreements with major companies in Africa
