Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
THE CEO Africa Roundtable has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Afro Chamber in Brazil and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
These partnerships represent a significant milestone in advancing global trade and investment among business leaders from the respective countries.
The MoUs were formalised during the 11th edition of the CEO Africa Annual Roundtable 2025, held in Victoria Falls from 14–18 October, under the theme: “Future-Ready Africa: Connecting Ideas, Creating Value.”
CEO Africa Roundtable Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kipson Gundani, stated that the organisation has a pan-African orientation and aims to expand its footprint across the continent.
“This CEO Africa Roundtable was founded in Zimbabwe, but our vision has always been to extend it across Africa. We now have chapters in Zambia, Botswana and Malawi. We have signed a historic agreement with my brother Mr Jasper Nduagwuike from Abuja, Nigeria, who is the Vice President of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA.
“We also signed another agreement with Mr Wener Trieloff, from São Paulo, Brazil. He is the Senior Representative for Africa at the Afro-Chamber of Commerce in Brazil. I had the pleasure of being hosted by the organisation earlier this year),” he said.
CEO Africa Roundtable Board Chairman, Mr Oswell Binha, noted that their presence in four African countries — Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana — forms part of a long-term strategy to expand into 10 additional countries by the end of 2027.
“Moreover, we have made a tangible impact through strategic partnerships across the globe, particularly in the United States of America, Brazil, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Dubai, among others. These collaborations have facilitated the signing of deals between African companies and international counterparts.
“All of this aligns with our long-term vision of becoming a platform capable of structuring multi-million-dollar deals annually. Africa stands at a crossroads of challenges and opportunities, navigating global uncertainties such as fragile currencies, volatile markets, geopolitical shifts and climate shocks, while also leveraging its youthful population, abundant resources, technological advancements, and the US$3.2 trillion African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ,” he said.
He added that the CEO Africa Roundtable continues to evolve — not merely as a networking platform, but as a powerful vehicle for policy lobbying and advocacy.
Mr Binha highlighted that the organisation has consistently engaged policymakers and regional institutions to influence reforms in trade facilitation, investment frameworks and public-private partnerships.
“Through sustained dialogue and research-driven advocacy, the Roundtable contributes to shaping an enabling environment where enterprise can flourish and policy can deliver meaningful outcomes for the people.
“Across Africa, the state of public service remains varied. While some nations are advancing modernisation and digitisation to improve efficiency, others continue to struggle with under-resourced systems and weak accountability.
“In Zimbabwe, ongoing reforms in public finance management, infrastructure modernisation and the restructuring of state-owned enterprises are commendable steps. However, they require sustained leadership discipline and citizen-centred governance to yield lasting results,” said Mr Binha.
