BY Issah Olegor
The Pan African Business Forum (PABF), a continental business leadership organisation headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, has appointed Dr Oscar Sam Ugoh as its Executive Vice President for West Africa and Head of the PABF West Africa Secretariat, with Ghana designated as the operational hub for its activities across the subregion.
The appointment, announced in a press release dated October 7, 2026, is expected to strengthen the organisation’s engagement with governments, investors, development partners and private sector institutions as it seeks to promote trade, investment and enterprise development across West Africa.
Under the new arrangement, the PABF West Africa Secretariat will be headquartered at Neoplan House, No. 154 La Beach Road, Accra. The office is expected to coordinate the organisation’s regional programmes and serve as its principal operational centre for engagements throughout West Africa.
According to the announcement, Dr Ugoh has received an official mandate from the organisation authorising him to represent PABF and advance its interests across the region. His responsibilities will include establishing and leading the West Africa Secretariat, organising business conferences and investment forums, and strengthening cooperation between public institutions and private sector stakeholders.
Dr Ugoh described the appointment as an honour and pledged to discharge his responsibilities in line with the organisation’s values and objectives.
He said he was committed to working with governments, private sector leaders and development partners to promote business leadership excellence, intra-African trade and investment.
The mandate also covers the organisation of corporate conferences, business colloquiums, seminars, workshops, chief executive dialogues, investment forums and business roundtables under the PABF banner. In addition, Dr Ugoh is expected to lead preparations for the Annual West Africa Business Leaders Awards, an initiative intended to recognise leadership and achievement within the business community.
The organisation further indicated that the new regional leadership would engage governments, development partners, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and private sector organisations to advance regional economic cooperation.
PABF Chairman Expresses Confidence in New Regional Leadership
Dr Ladislas Prosper Agbesi, Executive Chairman of the Pan African Business Forum, expressed confidence in Dr Ugoh’s ability to lead the organisation’s activities in West Africa, citing his leadership experience, enterprise orientation and commitment to continental development.
According to Dr Agbesi, West Africa occupies a strategic position in Africa’s trade and investment ambitions, making effective regional leadership essential to the organisation’s broader mission.
He stated that Dr Ugoh’s appointment aligns with PABF’s stated 20-year history of promoting integrity, non-partisanship and business excellence across the continent.
The chairman added that the organisation expects the new regional leadership to contribute meaningfully to trade expansion, investment mobilisation and enterprise development, while strengthening relationships with governments, business leaders and development institutions.
The appointment places Dr Ugoh at the centre of PABF’s planned engagement with stakeholders across the West African business environment, where regional integration, access to capital, private sector growth and cross-border trade remain important economic priorities.
Ugoh Pledges Commitment to African Trade and Investment
Dr Ugoh emphasised Ghana’s role as the base for the organisation’s West African operations, indicating that the Accra Secretariat would serve the wider region with professionalism and purpose.
His responsibilities will require engagement with stakeholders from different countries and sectors, with the objective of identifying opportunities for collaboration, supporting business development and encouraging investment across national borders.
The appointment also presents an opportunity for Ghana to host regional business engagements that bring together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and corporate executives to discuss emerging opportunities and challenges affecting African businesses.
