Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote is in Rwanda, where he is attending the African Renaissance Retreat, a high-level gathering that brings together influential business leaders and political figures from across the continent.
The retreat, co-founded by President Paul Kagame and Aliko Dangote, convenes top minds from different sectors including business, policymaking, governance and innovation. This year’s edition — the second since its inception — is taking place from November 14 to 16, 2025, at The Pinnacle Hotel in Kigali.
The African Renaissance Retreat aims to rethink the continent’s future by confronting Africa’s troubled past and forging a new path through collaboration, strategic thinking, and African-driven solutions. The forum focuses on practical ideas rooted in African ownership of development and transformation.
This year’s gathering zeroed in on sustainable development, investment challenges, innovation, and inclusive economic models. It brought together prominent voices including former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ethiopia’s former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, and South Africa’s former President Thabo Mbeki.
In his opening remarks, Dangote emphasized the need for purposeful leadership, saying:
“We need leaders with a mission. Without them, we cannot build anything meaningful.”
On the second day, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) CEO Jean-Guy Afrika presented Rwanda’s progress in various strategic sectors — illustrating how strong policy direction can unlock national transformation. The session was followed by discussions on turning ideas into impactful action to benefit Africa as a whole.
Equity Bank Group CEO Dr. James Mwangi also weighed in, stressing the urgency of formalising informal work and investing in Africa’s future:
“If we don’t turn informal jobs into formal ones, we will face serious challenges. We need an Africa that understands where it came from and where it is headed.”
President Kagame and Dangote are expected to hold a fireside conversation today, focusing on industrialisation, economic growth, and shared prosperity across Africa.
Their partnership has been growing. In July 2025, while inaugurating the Zaria Court entertainment and sports complex in Kigali, President Kagame praised Dangote’s consistent commitment to Africa’s progress:
“Some of us are proud to work with him and many other leaders. He has worked tirelessly — thank you, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.”
The President highlighted the importance of the “African Renaissance” idea — a concept that emerged in the mid-20th century, linked to Senegalese historian Cheikh Anta Diop, and later championed by South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki.
The philosophy calls for reclaiming Africa’s narrative, reshaping its image, and driving social and economic transformation from within — instead of being defined by poverty, corruption, and conflict.
Aliko Dangote has now taken it upon himself to revive and advance this vision, positioning the African Renaissance Retreat as a new engine for continental renewal — built by Africans, for Africans.
