ABOUT US

The African CEO Council (African Council of Chief Executives) was first incorporated in New York City, USA, in October 2010, to serve a premier pan-African, non-partisan, membership-based organisation dedicated to bringing together Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Chairpersons, Managing Directors, Founders, Presidents, Executive Directors, and other senior business leaders across Africa and the African diaspora.

The Council will serve as the continent's leading platform for executive leadership, business advocacy, policy dialogue, investment promotion, strategic networking, and sustainable economic development. It will provide a unified private-sector voice to influence public policy, promote responsible corporate leadership, strengthen regional integration, and enhance Africa's global competitiveness.

The Council will work collaboratively with governments, development partners, multilateral institutions, investors, academia, professional bodies, chambers of commerce, and civil society to create an enabling business environment that supports innovation, entrepreneurship, industrialization, sustainable finance, and inclusive growth.

Context, Background and Rationale

Africa is entering a new era of economic transformation characterized by rapid population growth, technological innovation, expanding regional trade, and increasing global interest in the continent's investment opportunities. The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), digital transformation, infrastructure development, and economic diversification present unprecedented opportunities for African businesses.

Despite these opportunities, African enterprises continue to face significant challenges, including:

• Unpredictable business policies
• Regulatory inefficiencies
• High cost of doing business
• Limited access to finance
• Infrastructure deficits
• Climate change and environmental risks
• Weak corporate governance practices
• Limited regional collaboration
• Skills shortages
• Fragmented private-sector representation

Although numerous business associations exist at national and sectoral levels, there remains no single continental platform exclusively dedicated to bringing together CEOs and senior executives to collectively champion business excellence, responsible leadership, policy advocacy, sustainability, innovation, and investment.

The establishment of the African CEO Council will address this gap by creating an influential institution that promotes dialogue between business and government while strengthening the capacity of African enterprises to compete globally.

Justification for Establishment

The African CEO Council is being established to:

• Provide a unified voice for African CEOs.
• Promote public-private dialogue.
• Influence business-friendly public policies.
• Strengthen responsible corporate leadership.
• Support regional economic integration.
• Encourage sustainable investment.
• Promote innovation and digital transformation.
• Advance environmental, social and governance (ESG)      practices.
• Strengthen Africa's position in the global economy.
• Foster collaboration among business leaders across all      African regions.

Vision

To become Africa's foremost platform of visionary chief executives driving sustainable economic growth, responsible leadership, regional integration, and global competitiveness.

Mission

To unite, empower and represent Africa's chief executives by promoting business excellence, policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, innovation, sustainable development, and ethical corporate leadership for the prosperity of Africa.

Core Values

The Council shall be guided by the following values:

• Integrity
• Excellence
• Accountability
• Transparency
• Innovation
• Sustainability
• Collaboration
• Inclusiveness
• Professionalism
• Pan-Africanism
• Responsible Leadership
• Service

Goal

To strengthen Africa's private sector by providing an influential platform that advances responsible leadership, sustainable enterprise development, investment, innovation, and regional economic integration.