How Business and Government Shape Policy in Africa

When Business and Government Sit at the Same Table

Policy doesn’t have to feel like a one-way announcement. Across Africa, Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) is changing how decisions are made — turning policy from a lecture into a conversation.

At its best, PPD is simple: government listens, business speaks, solutions follow.

Where It’s Actually Working

Kenya; Trade & Agriculture Dialogues
In Nairobi, public and private actors regularly meet to tackle regional trade barriers and food security. Farmers, traders, and policymakers sit together to fix what slows business and not just talk about it.

Nigeria; Government-Private Sector (GPS) Dialogues
Nigeria’s GPS Dialogue series brings SMEs, banks, and policymakers into the same room to discuss finance, taxes, and growth. It’s less speeches, more straight talk.

Sierra Leone; Investment-Focused PPDs
Here, dialogue links policy directly to investment opportunities, helping government and founders agree on where capital should flow.

Why Gen Z Should Care

PPD isn’t just for suits and ministries. It affects:

• How easy it is to start a business

• How much tax you pay

• Whether funding and markets are accessible

More young founders are now in the room, not just affected by the outcome.

What Makes PPD Actually Work

✔ Honest conversations
✔ Inclusion of SMEs and youth voices
✔ Clear follow-up actions
✔ Less politics, more problem-solving

When done right, PPD builds trust and trust builds better policy.

The Big Idea

Public-Private Dialogue works when both sides remember the goal isn’t winning the argument, it’s making the economy work.

Africa’s smartest policies aren’t shouted. They’re negotiated.

Want to understand how policy decisions really get made? Follow The CEOs Forum for short, sharp insights on business, policy, and power across Africa.