Held at Kigali Marriott Hotel, the event focused on strengthening partnerships to advance investment, financial inclusion, youth empowerment, and Africa’s economic transformation.
The dinner was co-hosted with the Milken Institute in partnership with the Africa CEO Forum.
Among the organisations represented were International Finance Corporation (IFC), Jeune Afrique, UNICEF, World Bank, Mastercard Foundation, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Proparco, and Visa Inc., among others.
Welcoming guests, Hannington Namara, the Managing Director of Equity Bank Rwanda, said the evening was meant to celebrate partnerships that continue to shape the bank’s growth and impact.
“We are happy to have you tonight, to celebrate you, to share a meal and a drink, and enjoy the fruits of our partnership,” Namara said.
The 13th edition of the Africa CEO Forum 2026 is taking place in Kigali from May 14 to 15 at Kigali Convention Centre, bringing together some of the continent’s most influential business and political leaders.
Held under the theme “The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership,” the forum is expected to attract more than 2,000 participants from over 75 countries, including CEOs, investors, heads of state, ministers and development finance institutions.
Joy DiBenedetto, Director of Global Affairs and Communications at Equity Group Holdings, described the evening as “a night of common ground.”
“The common ground of our shared values in moving Africa forward. That’s not just an idea. It’s a direction we are all committed to travelling towards,” she said.
DiBenedetto noted that Equity Group had signed several partnerships and memoranda of understanding during meetings held in Kenya and at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali this week.
Speaking at the event, Hortense Mudenge, Chief Executive Officer of the Kigali International Financial Centre, said Rwanda’s development journey demonstrates the importance of collaboration between governments, businesses, and international partners.
“Shared prosperity is created when growth becomes inclusive, when investments create jobs, when innovation expands opportunity, and when financial systems serve not only markets but people,” she noted.
Mudenge added that Rwanda’s progress has been built through cooperation between the public and private sectors, local ambition, and international support.
British Robinson, Chair for Africa at the Milken Institute, said Africa’s growth would require deeper collaboration and stronger capital markets.
“We are all in Africa,” Robinson said, noting that the institute works with global investors, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and asset managers to mobilise investment for the continent.
She said the organisation is also investing in human capital development through scholarship and training programmes aimed at preparing African professionals for global capital markets.
“Africa is the future of the world,” she said.
Amir Ben Yahmed, founder of the Africa CEO Forum and Chief Executive of Jeune Afrique, praised Equity Group for promoting what he called “shared ownership” across the continent.
“You’re a true example of what the forum has tried to convey during these two days,” he said, referring to Equity Group’s business model and partnerships.
He also urged African business leaders to continue building continental connections through travel, dialogue, and collaboration.
Etleva Kadilli, Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa at UNICEF, highlighted the urgent need for investment in youth skills development across Africa.
She said more than 300 million young people aged between 15 and 24 already make up about 20 per cent of Africa’s population, while millions remain outside education, employment, or training.
“Investing in youth is not only a social imperative, it is an economic imperative for Africa’s future,” Kadilli said.
She said UNICEF and Equity Group are working together to expand access to digital skills, learning, and employment opportunities for young people, particularly women and girls.
The initiative, she noted, aims to reach more than one million young people by the end of 2026 and scale further by 2030.
Mary Porter Peschka, Regional Director for Eastern Africa at IFC, said partnerships formed during the week would help expand support for small businesses, agriculture, and creative industries across the continent.
“Equity is a longstanding and steadfast partner that has shared a common vision with us and helped us to grow and innovate,” she said.
The 13th edition of the Africa CEO Forum 2026 took place in Kigali from May 14 to 15 at Kigali Convention Centre, bringing together some of the continent’s most influential business and political leaders.
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