Aliko Dangote and Ellen Sirleaf Lead Discussions at African Renaissance Retreat in Kigali

Kigali, Rwanda - Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf were among the high-profile leaders participating in the African Renaissance Retreat, an annual summit bringing together prominent investors, political leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss Africa’s future. The retreat, held in partnership with President Paul Kagame and Aliko Dangote, took place from November 14-16, 2025, at The Pinnacle Kigali Hotel.

Now in its second edition, the forum explores how Africa can transform its past challenges through reflection, collaboration, and actionable solutions driven by Africans themselves. This year’s discussions focused on obstacles to sustainable development, investment, innovation, and long-term economic growth across the continent.

On the opening day, Aliko Dangote delivered a keynote address urging visionary leadership. “We need leaders with purpose. If we don’t have them, we will not build anything,” he said.

The program featured high-level panel discussions with current and former African leaders, including Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, and former South African President Thabo Mbeki. On the second day, Jean-Guy Afrika, Director General of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), briefed participants on Rwanda’s development progress, followed by sessions aimed at translating ideas into practical outcomes for the continent.

Through her X platform, Sirleaf expressed her gratitude for being part of the summit, thanking Aliko Dangote for initiating an event that unites the public and private sectors across Africa. “I am delighted to be part of the recent African Renaissance Group Summit in Kigali. This initiative brings together leaders to drive transformation on our continent,” she said.

Also attending were prominent figures from the private sector, including Tony Elumelu, Patrice Motsepe, Tidjane Thiam, Vera Songwe, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Mohammed Dewji, Naguib Sawiris, Femi Otedola, and James Mwangi. International leaders included Amina Mohammed, UN Under-Secretary-General, OIF Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo, and IFC CEO Makhtar Diop.

The retreat concluded with a panel discussion between Hailemariam Desalegn and Thabo Mbeki, highlighting Africa’s governance, economic development, and growth strategies. Dr. James Mwangi, CEO of Equity Bank Group, emphasized the importance of strategic investment. “If we don’t invest in the unwritten to make it written, we will have problems. We need an Africa that understands where we have come from and where we are going,” he said.

Later this week, President Kagame and Aliko Dangote are expected to hold bilateral talks on Africa’s economic transformation, industrialization, and development priorities. The two leaders last met publicly in July 2025 during the inauguration of the Zaria Court sports and entertainment complex, where Kagame praised Dangote’s longstanding commitment to Africa’s progress.

“Some of us are proud to work with him and other leaders,” Kagame said. “There were meetings held here in Kigali, and many more are coming. Alhaji Aliko Dangote has done a lot for that.”

The retreat reinforced Dangote’s dedication to advancing the African Renaissance, a concept first articulated by Senegalese historian Cheikh Anta Diop and later popularized by Thabo Mbeki, envisioning a continent defined by prosperity, innovation, and progress rather than conflict, corruption, and poverty. Dangote reaffirmed his commitment to revitalizing this vision for Africa’s future.