Five African heads of State, including
newly elected Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, have
confirmed they would attend the forum organised by Egypt and Common
Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
newly elected Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, have
confirmed they would attend the forum organised by Egypt and Common
Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
President Mahamadou
Issoufou of Niger will also attend the high-level forum hat would
promote trade and investment in the sub-region.
Issoufou of Niger will also attend the high-level forum hat would
promote trade and investment in the sub-region.
The two presidents are leading the drive
to get commitment from other African heads of State to sign the African
Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
to get commitment from other African heads of State to sign the African
Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
The Forum will be held under the High
Patronage of President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President of the Arab
Republic of Egypt on 8-9 December 2018, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
Patronage of President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President of the Arab
Republic of Egypt on 8-9 December 2018, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
The Forum will be the biggest
business-to-business and government-to-business gathering bringing
together leading policy makers with captains of industry, financiers,
major industrialists and young entrepreneurs from across Africa
and beyond.
business-to-business and government-to-business gathering bringing
together leading policy makers with captains of industry, financiers,
major industrialists and young entrepreneurs from across Africa
and beyond.
This year’s edition takes place against
an important backdrop with Egypt taking over the chairmanship of the
African Union in 2019, making it a platform to help shape private sector
priorities for the coming year.
an important backdrop with Egypt taking over the chairmanship of the
African Union in 2019, making it a platform to help shape private sector
priorities for the coming year.
The theme for this year: “Bold
Leadership and Collective Commitment: Advancing Intra-African
Investments’’ reflects the need for policy makers and the private sector
to collaborate more closely and take tough decisions to advance
and fast-track development across the continent.
Leadership and Collective Commitment: Advancing Intra-African
Investments’’ reflects the need for policy makers and the private sector
to collaborate more closely and take tough decisions to advance
and fast-track development across the continent.
This year, the Forum will have a day
focusing on the role of women in helping them define the continental
priorities in a gathering called Women Empowering Africa.
focusing on the role of women in helping them define the continental
priorities in a gathering called Women Empowering Africa.
The organisers will convene women driving
change across the continent and give them a platform to get together
and agree on clear action points to ensure they have a stronger voice
and more significant presence at the decision
making table, as much in government as in the boardroom.
change across the continent and give them a platform to get together
and agree on clear action points to ensure they have a stronger voice
and more significant presence at the decision
making table, as much in government as in the boardroom.
A communiqué will be presented to the heads of state present highlighting their priority concerns and aspirations.
Building on last year’s success, the
organisers will be hosting their Young Entrepreneurs Day (YED) offering
the continent’s rising stars the opportunity to meet a diverse set of
investors as well as to hone their skills in some
workshops tailored by specialist consultancies and leaders in their
field.
organisers will be hosting their Young Entrepreneurs Day (YED) offering
the continent’s rising stars the opportunity to meet a diverse set of
investors as well as to hone their skills in some
workshops tailored by specialist consultancies and leaders in their
field.
Speaking about the Forum, Dr. Sahar Nasr,
Egypt’s Minister of Investment and International Cooperation,
reiterated her country’s commitment to working towards a unified vision
for promoting economic co-operation among African
nations: “The Forum aims to improve intra-African trade and investment
for the benefit for all citizens on this continent.”
Egypt’s Minister of Investment and International Cooperation,
reiterated her country’s commitment to working towards a unified vision
for promoting economic co-operation among African
nations: “The Forum aims to improve intra-African trade and investment
for the benefit for all citizens on this continent.”
“Egypt’s comprehensive socio-economic
reform programme to transform our country continues to progress
alongside efforts to advancing Africa’s sustainable development through
greater cross-border business among our nations.”
reform programme to transform our country continues to progress
alongside efforts to advancing Africa’s sustainable development through
greater cross-border business among our nations.”
Echoing this commitment was Heba Salama,
COMESA Regional Investment Agency CEO, welcoming this important
community to the third edition of the Forum: “COMESA, now consisting of
21 countries following the admission of Tunisia and
Somalia this year, continues to play a lead role in advancing Africa’s
economic integration.
COMESA Regional Investment Agency CEO, welcoming this important
community to the third edition of the Forum: “COMESA, now consisting of
21 countries following the admission of Tunisia and
Somalia this year, continues to play a lead role in advancing Africa’s
economic integration.
As one of the most influential regional
economic communities in Africa we have a pivotal role to play in
engaging with business leaders and investors.”
economic communities in Africa we have a pivotal role to play in
engaging with business leaders and investors.”
