Although recent growth rates in Africa are celebrated in policy and development circles, significant challenges remain with regard t...
Although
recent growth rates in Africa are celebrated in policy and development
circles, significant challenges remain with regard to realising the
potential of the private sector in Africa. Enabling businesses to
enhance the competitiveness of the continent, create employment
opportunities and enhance Africa’s economic growth and sustainable
development will be the focus of the African Leadership Forum this
year.
The
Forum, which will take place on the 28th-29th July, is the third in a
series of annual high-level meetings convened by H.E. Benjamin W. Mkapa,
former President of Tanzania, with the support of UONGOZI Institute.
According
to a statement released by UONGOZI Institute, the African Leadership
Forum 2015, with the theme of ‘Enabling African Businesses to Transform
the Continent’, will bring together more than 100 key influential
leaders and thinkers across the continent, including former Heads of
State and leaders from business, government, civil society and academia.
Former
Presidents H.E. Joaquim Chissano and H.E. Armando Guebuza of
Mozambique, H.E. Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba
of Namibia and H.E. Bakili Muluzi of Malawi are also set to attend the
Forum.
“The
forum builds on the success of the inaugural dialogue in 2014 on Meeting
the challenges of Africa’s transformation and the dialogue in 2015 on
Moving towards an integrated Africa”, said the statement, “this year’s
event will provide a platform to deliberate on the obstacles preventing
African business from flourishing, and what needs to be done about
them.”
The
African Leadership Forum 2016 will begin with a public plenary on the
28th of July where Mr. Sipho Nkosi, former President of the Chamber of
Mines of South Africa will deliver the Keynote Address.
At the
end of this one-day event, it is expected that an official statement
from participants will be produced, with recommendations on the way
forward.
