The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), a Washington-based nonprofit, has launched a new Africa Hub in Lagos aimed at positioning the private sector as a driver of economic growth, investment, and democratic resilience across the continent.
The initiative, unveiled on Tuesday, consolidates CIPE’s decades-long partnerships with chambers of commerce, business associations, and civil society groups across Africa.
The group said the Hub will scale up efforts to curb corruption, improve governance, and foster inclusive economic opportunities by strengthening business associations and promoting cross-border collaboration.
“By bringing decades of experience and partnerships under one platform, we are creating a space where African business leaders can drive sustainable growth, boost democratic resilience, and expand inclusive economic opportunities,” said Andrew Wilson, CIPE’s executive director.
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For more than 40 years, CIPE has worked with more than 530 chambers and associations across 23 African countries, helping entrepreneurs and business leaders—from informal traders in Zimbabwe to women entrepreneurs in Ethiopia—engage in policymaking and strengthen governance.
The new Hub builds on that foundation, offering what CIPE calls a “continent-wide platform” to align private-sector advocacy with democratic accountability.
Lola Adekanye, CIPE’s regional director for Africa, said the platform would “amplify business’s voice in policymaking, broaden governance, and help build sustainable economies that benefit communities.”
Business leaders welcomed the launch as a step toward improving trust in African markets. Gabriel Idahosa, president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the Hub would enable companies and associations to “collaborate across borders, build integrity into markets, and create the trust needed to attract investment and deepen democratic stability.”
The Lagos event, held under the theme “Catalyzing Private Sector–Led Growth for Democratic Stability in Africa,” on Wednesday brought together chambers of commerce, government officials, think tanks, and development partners.
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U.S. Consul General Rick Swart delivered the keynote address, alongside panel discussions on democracy and markets, workshops on impactful program design, and recognition awards for CIPE’s local partners.
The Hub will prioritise trade governance and programs that support women, youth, and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). It also aims to enhance cross-border collaboration in order to foster stability and reduce the risks that deter foreign and domestic investment.
With Africa seeking to unlock growth while navigating political uncertainty, CIPE’s new platform highlights the increasing role the private sector is expected to play in shaping both economic futures and democratic outcomes.