By 
Renowned academic and former Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Professor Arthur Mutambara, is set to deliver a pivotal keynote at the 11th edition of the CEO Africa Annual Roundtable, scheduled for October 14–18, 2025, at the prestigious Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls.
Professor Mutambara, an Oxford-educated roboticist and prominent voice in global affairs, will headline a fireside chat on “Geopolitics & the Economic Impact in Africa: The Shift from Geopolitics to Geoeconomics.” His address comes at a critical juncture as Africa navigates a changing global order marked by growing economic nationalism, trade realignments, and rising geopolitical tensions.
The celebrated academic will explore how these seismic shifts such as the ongoing ramifications of the so-called “Trump Tariffs” are reshaping the global policy landscape, pushing nations and regions to adopt more economically driven strategic postures. Professor Mutambara is expected to challenge African leaders and businesses to move from a reactive stance to a proactive, strategic engagement with global trends, leveraging geoeconomic opportunities to drive sustainable growth on the continent.
By Tichaona Wangotse
With an illustrious career that bridges academia, governance, and innovation, Mutambara brings a rare mix of intellectual gravitas and real-world experience. Holding a PhD in Robotics and Mechatronics from the University of Oxford, he has held research positions at global institutions including MIT, Caltech, and the University of Johannesburg. His public service includes a historic tenure as one of Zimbabwe’s Deputy Prime Ministers during the 2009–2013 Government of National Unity.
Beyond the fireside chat, Professor Mutambara will also feature on a panel discussion on Artificial Intelligence, contributing to conversations around the opportunities and challenges of the ongoing AI revolution and what it means for Africa’s development.
The CEO Africa Roundtable, running under the theme “Future Ready Africa: Connecting Ideas, Creating Value,” is expected to draw top-tier executives, policymakers, and innovators from across Africa and beyond. The four-day event will offer a mix of keynote addresses, panel sessions, and high-level networking, all designed to catalyze investment, foster partnerships, and shape economic strategy across the continent.
Coinciding with the ruling party ZANU-PF’s annual congress in Mutare, the Roundtable provides a complementary perspective focusing on economic transformation rather than political strategy. Organizers say this duality underscores the need for holistic development approaches where the private sector plays a leading role in shaping Africa’s future.
The CEO Africa Roundtable has become a flagship platform for peer-to-peer engagement, policy dialogue, and investment facilitation, committed to building an economically advanced Africa where public and private sector leaders collaborate to influence global outcomes.
As Africa stands at a critical crossroad, Professor Mutambara’s address promises to be a call to action urging the continent to rethink its place in the world and seize emerging geoeconomic opportunities with boldness and clarity.
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