Tinubu, Pate, and Dangote to attend Africa CEO Forum in Rwanda
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
President Bola Tinubu, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Pate, and industrialist Aliko Dangote are scheduled to participate in the Africa CEO Forum 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, from May 14 to 15. The forum will gather over 2,000 chief executives, investors, policymakers, and development leaders to discuss strategies for accelerating continental economic growth, strengthening investment flows, and deepening regional integration. President Tinubu's attendance is expected to reinforce Nigeria's commitment to strengthening partnerships with the private sector and global investors. Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, will offer insights on African enterprise and large-scale private investment. Prof. Pate's participation highlights the growing emphasis on health as a critical pillar of economic development and human capital advancement in Africa, focusing on public health infrastructure, adaptive regulation, local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and strategic investments in human capital. The Africa CEO Forum, recognized as Africa's largest private-sector gathering, provides a platform for dialogue between governments and industry leaders on policies to unlock the continent's economic potential and foster cross-border collaboration. The 2026 edition will concentrate on expanding Africa's economic scale through stronger partnerships, integrated markets, and strategic investments for long-term growth. The forum has previously attracted heads of state, F
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Must ReadThe National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA of Nigeria and its Egyptian counterpart are preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding MoU to enhance cooperation in fighting substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. This agreement aims to strengthen intelligence sharing, joint operations, and training between the two nations. NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa retd., announced this during a visit from the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad, at the agency's headquarters in Abuja. Marwa emphasized the global nature of the drug problem and the need for international collaboration, citing existing partnerships with various international law enforcement agencies. He noted that drug cartels are seeking alternative routes in Africa due to pressure elsewhere and highlighted NDLEA's success in dismantling drug manufacturing operations, including methamphetamine labs run by Mexican cartels in Nigeria. Ambassador Fouad underscored the importance of stronger bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Nigeria, as prominent African countries, to address narcotics trafficking from a continental perspective. The proposed MoU is expected to bolster intelligence gathering, capacity building, and coordinated enforcement actions to curb the illicit drug trade across Africa.
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The Nigerian Federal Government is prepared to collaborate with investors to address the nation's housing deficit, offering land nationwide for mass housing projects. This was announced by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Darma, during a meeting with a Chinese delegation. The delegation, led by Chief Engineer Lewis Chima, proposed a partnership to deliver large-scale affordable housing. Darma noted that this proposal aligns with President Bola Tinubu鈥檚 Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes affordable housing through public-private partnerships. The minister affirmed the ministry's commitment to facilitating access to land and providing institutional support for successful project implementation. Chima stated that the company was drawn to Nigeria due to its significant housing demand and economic potential, aiming to complement the Renewed Hope Housing Programme by providing affordable, durable, and rapidly deployable housing solutions across the country鈥檚 six geopolitical zones. The company plans to use advanced prefabricated construction technology under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing model to deliver 10,000 housing units within 30 months, reducing costs and improving quality. Darma has directed a committee to review the proposal. Nigeria faces an estimated housing deficit of about 17 million units, which the Renewed Hope Housing Programme aims to tackle through various initiatives, including Renewed Hope Cities, Estate