Brazzaville Positioned as a Francophone Business Hub
Brazzaville is preparing to host the 7th International Forum of Francophone Businesses from 9 to 13 June, an event presented as a flagship gathering for economic dialogue across the Francophone space. The announcement was made by Jean-Loup Blachet, president of the Francophone Employers’ Group, in Brazzaville (ACI).
The communication took place in the presence of Christel Sassou Nguesso, Congo’s minister in charge of international cooperation and public-private partnership. The setting underscored the forum’s stated ambition: to connect public policy priorities with private-sector execution, in a format oriented toward practical business outcomes (ACI).
A Forum Designed for Deal Flow and Direct Networking
During an audience held on 10 January in the Congolese capital, Jean-Loup Blachet said the forum aims to bring together entrepreneurs “from all over the world”. The objective, he noted, is to facilitate exchanges, structured economic dialogue, and direct connections between public and private stakeholders (ACI).
For investors and corporate decision-makers, the forum’s value proposition lies in the density of contacts and the possibility of moving from general discussions to targeted meetings. In practice, such platforms often help clarify investment priorities, identify bankable projects, and accelerate partnership building.
Gpf’s Strategy: Scaling Congolese Firms Through Networks
Jean-Loup Blachet framed the forum as part of the Francophone Employers’ Group’s broader mission: supporting business development through a cross-border network. He argued that Congolese companies can grow by leveraging Gpf connections, notably through the forum’s annual cycle of engagement (ACI).
“The essential point lies in the exchange of experiences and the valorisation of skills,” Blachet said, linking competitiveness to peer learning and the circulation of managerial and technical know-how. The emphasis on capabilities resonates with an agenda that targets market access and investment readiness (ACI).
Governance and Coordination: Dr Ovaga Named Secretary-General
Operational leadership for this edition was also addressed. The vice-president of the Gpf in charge of international affairs, Dr Ovaga, who is executive national president of the National Union of Economic Operators of Congo (Unoc), was appointed secretary-general of the 2026 forum (ACI).
This appointment provides an institutional bridge between the Gpf’s international footprint and local economic operators. For participating firms, strong coordination is typically decisive for scheduling, agenda discipline, and converting high-level intentions into structured B2B and B2G engagements.
Public-Private Partnerships and Peace as an Economic Enabler
Among the central themes announced are public-private partnerships, a policy tool often mobilised to deliver infrastructure and public services while balancing fiscal constraints and private-sector expertise. The forum is expected to examine how PPP frameworks can be operationalised in a way that supports investment and execution (ACI).
The agenda also includes a focus on peace as a determinant of growth, aligned with the President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso’s New Year message referenced in the report. The framing signals a governance narrative in which stability is treated as a prerequisite for predictable investment conditions (ACI).
Diaspora Entrepreneurship Moves to the Forefront
The Gpf also highlighted the role of Francophone diasporas, presented as economic levers for both host countries and countries of origin. In this perspective, diaspora actors are viewed as connectors: they can carry capital, networks, expertise, and market intelligence across borders (ACI).
In that context, the 3rd edition of “Excellence entrepreneuriale des diasporas francophones” is scheduled for 9 April in Paris at the Economic, Social and Environmental Council. The initiative illustrates a pipeline approach, linking diaspora ecosystems to investment opportunities within the Francophone economic space (ACI).
Digital and Climate Solutions Enter the Business Agenda
Beyond classic trade and investment themes, discussions also covered environmental and digital priorities. The Gpf announced a forthcoming event dedicated to digital solutions for climate, following a first edition hosted at the French Senate, according to the same source (ACI).
This sequencing suggests that the forum’s scope is broadening toward technology-enabled climate responses. For companies, the interest is twofold: anticipating regulatory and financing trends, and identifying where digital tools can support measurement, reporting, and operational efficiency in climate-related projects.
Dispute Prevention: Mediation and Arbitration Mechanisms
The Francophone Employers’ Group recalled the establishment of a mediation and arbitration centre intended to prevent and resolve disputes between companies in the Francophone space. Such mechanisms are often presented as confidence-building instruments, especially for cross-border transactions (ACI).
For investors and executives, predictable dispute resolution can reduce transaction costs and improve risk perception. While the practical performance of any mechanism depends on procedures and uptake, its existence signals an intent to professionalise business relations within the network described by the Gpf.
A 38-Year Network Spanning Five Continents
According to the report, the Gpf was created more than 38 years ago and works to bring businesses closer together and support economic development through an extensive network operating across five continents. The organisation reportedly brings together more than 60 member organisations (ACI).
In that light, the Brazzaville forum is positioned not as a standalone event but as a convening moment within a long-running institutional architecture. For Congolese stakeholders, it offers an opportunity to project local priorities into a structured Francophone business ecosystem (ACI).
