By Ayomide Otitoju
Afrobarometer has called on private-sector leaders and investors across Africa to integrate public attitude data into their decision-making processes, emphasising that citizen perspectives are critical to building resilient and competitive enterprises.
The call was made during the CEO Conclave and Investors Forum 2026 held in Nairobi, Kenya, where Afrobarometer engaged business leaders, policymakers, regulators, and innovators. The event, convened by the Africa Asia Middle East Chamber of Commerce, brought together about 100 stakeholders to explore investment opportunities, innovation, and cross-border partnerships.
At the forum, Afrobarometer presented data on economic and social conditions tailored to private-sector stakeholders, highlighting how citizens’ experiences and perceptions influence consumer behaviour, investment climates, and overall business performance.
According to Felix Biga, the operating environment for businesses is shaped by public expectations, resilience, and lived realities.
“Citizen experiences and perceptions of economic conditions, trust in institutions, access to services, and lived realities all influence market behaviour, investment climates, and ultimately business success,” he said.
Participants at the event underscored the importance of incorporating citizen-centred data into strategic planning. Peter Mutinda noted that organisations that prioritise data-driven insights, particularly those grounded in citizen perspectives, will be better positioned to lead Africa’s economic growth.
Similarly, Pawel Zarzecki highlighted the need to anchor business engagement in data before advancing partnerships and market-specific strategies.
Eve Mischeki also emphasised the relevance of Afrobarometer’s findings, noting their alignment with real-world business challenges, particularly for women entrepreneurs.
The engagement forms part of Afrobarometer’s broader strategy to strengthen collaboration with the private sector through targeted dialogues aimed at increasing awareness of its data and fostering solutions that address both business and societal priorities.
