African investment confab for Dubai

Africa Legal Network’s (ALN) is
organising its 5th Africa Investment Conference hold in November in
Dubai to discuss the rise of African mega-cities and the impact of the
push for renewable energy sources.

 

The two-day conference holding on
November 7 and 8, would also brainstorm on the implications of the
adoption of disruptive technology.

 

Panel sessions will also offer delegates
practical advice on doing business in Africa, with sessions covering
entry strategies, raising finance and how to navigate common ‘pitfalls’.

 

The invite-only event will see Guest of
Honour, HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister for Tolerance,
UAE, and world leading business professionals and government
representatives in attendance.

 

The conference will also welcome Guest of
Honour, Dr. Cheick Modibo Diarra, former Prime Minister of Mali and ALN
Chairman, as well as a line-up of international speakers with a deep
understanding of conducting business in Africa.

 

The speakers include, Mohamed Rali
Badissy, Senior Attorney for Energy and Finance, US Department of
Commerce; Jesse Zigmund, General Counsel, M-KOPA Solar and James Mwangi,
CEO of Equity Group.

 

The conference comes at a time when the
Sub Saharan African economy is expected to surpass $2 trillion in the
next two years, according to data from a recent report of the
International Financial Corporation (IFC).

 

Gulf entities have invested around $30
billion in Africa’s infrastructure projects over the last decade,
according to the Dubai Chamber, a trend which shows no sign of slowing
down with DP World’s announcement last month to develop
a $50 million logistics facility in Mali.

 

The UAE was the second top investing
country in Africa by value of capital investment in 2016, accounting for
$11 billion of capital expenditure—second only to China, according to a
report which showed that UAE-led FDI rose a
substantial 161 per cent from 2015, when it injected $4.2 billion of
capex into African projects.

Panel sessions will also offer delegates
practical advice on doing business in Africa, with sessions covering
entry strategies, raising finance and how to navigate common ‘pitfalls’.

 

Former Malian Prime Minister, Dr. Cheick
Modibo Diarra said that over the past few years Africa’s economy has
been giving investors a reason for optimism as it regains traction after
a marked slowdown, and this year’s ALN conference
comes as the continent’s real output growth is forecast to reach
pre-shock levels. Rising commodity prices and progressive regime changes
across Africa are combining to produce stability, prosperity and an
ideal environment for foreign investment.

 

“Now in its fifth year, I have no doubt
that the ALN Africa Investment Conference will continue to provide a
dynamic platform for global leaders and businesspeople to share
insights, engage in debate and promote business exchange
between Africa and the rest of the world.

 

“We are seeing a changing attitude
towards perceived ‘risk’ when it comes to investing in Africa, as well
as increased appetite from international investors looking to invest
across many sector types on the continent.

 

“With a range of thought-provoking panel
sessions and ‘spotlight’ sessions on specific countries in North, West
and East and Southern Africa, delegates will come away understanding
that the opportunities on the continent are
truly limitless,” he added.

 

Over 400 delegates are expected to attend
the event, which brings together speakers from a host of companies,
government departments and think-tanks, including Helios Investment
Partners.

 

 The conference sponsors include AX1S, Emirates NBD, The Access Bank UK among others.