The 4th Global Business Forum on Africa is set to welcome five African heads of state, 12 ministers, and more than 1,000 top-level government and corporate decision-makers and industry experts when the event takes place on November 1st and 2nd, 2017, at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah.
The forum, organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will be held under the theme “Next Generation Africa.” The two-day event will examine the current economic outlook for the continent, and explore prospects for its development, as well as investment opportunities and the potential for forging partnerships between African businesses and their UAE counterparts.
The event is the largest Africa-centric conference to be held outside of the continent, bringing together high-profile attendees such as H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; H.E. Danny Faure, President of the Republic of Seychelles; H.E. Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda; H.E. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of the Republic of Mauritius; and H.E. Edgar Lungu, President of Zambia; along with a long list of ministers, senior government officials, young African entrepreneurs, economic and industry experts.
H.E. Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “With the Global Business Forum series, Dubai has managed to offer a truly global platform, allowing top officials, decision makers and investors to explore the prospects of economic partnership and cooperation among international markets. The emirate is now a magnet for influential businesspeople and economic stakeholders from all corners of the globe, who flock here to explore the present economic realities and future prospects in regions around the world.”
“The Global Business Forum on Africa, which is set for an unprecedented top-tier attendance, including distinguished African heads of state and ministers, is testament to Dubai’s firm position on the global economic map,” H.E. added.
The first day of the forum will kick off with a session entitled “Next Generation Africa” that will be led by Sangu Delle, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana-based Golden Palm Investments. The session will explore the role that Africa’s dynamic young entrepreneurs can play in shaping the continent’s future.
H.E. Kagame, President of Rwanda, will participate in an interactive session entitled “Accelerating African Integration – Speaking with One Voice”, which will examine Rwanda’s transformation and discuss what integration means for the future of Africa.
On day two, H.E. Gurib-Fakim will participate in a session that explores the impact of emigration on African countries, where she will discuss what is needed to reverse brain-drain and unleash the full potential of Africa’s young people.
The two-day event also welcomes H.E. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, as well as the country’s first lady, H.E. Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo, in addition to a host of ministers from various African countries, namely: H.E. Romuald Wadagni, Minister of Economy and Finance, Republic of Benin; H.E. Stephane Sanou, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Trade; H.E. Dr Isatou Touray, Minister for Trade, Regional Integration & Employment, Republic of Gambia; H.E. Yaw Osafo-Marfo, Senior Government Minister, Republic of Ghana; Hon. Henry Mussa, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Republic of Malawi; H.E. Abdel Karim Konate, Minister of Commerce, Republic of Mali; H.E. Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria; H.E. Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Minister of Youth and ICT, Republic of Rwanda; H.E. Hatim Al Sir, Minister of Trade, Republic of Sudan; H.E. Oryem Henry Okello, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Republic of Uganda and H.E. Margaret Mwanakatwe, Minister of Commerce, Trade & Industry, Republic of Zambia.
Other dignitaries are also scheduled to appear at the Forum, such as Ambassador Libérat Mfumukeko, Secretary General, EAC African Community; H.E. Marcel de Souza, President, ECOWAS Commission; Mr. Taavi Roivas, Former Prime Minister, Republic of Estonia; Mr. Lai Yahaya, Government policy Advisor, Republic of Nigeria; H.E. Festus Mogae, Former President of the Republic of Botswana; and H.E. Cheick Mobido Diarra, Former Transitional Prime Minister of Mali.
The Global Business Forum series was launched by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2012, and focuses on Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Latin America. The Chamber is collaborating with The Economist Group to develop the content of the forum.
