World Economic Forum on Africa To Be Held In Abuja, Nigeria May 7-9, 2014
A study of the African economic growth rate trajectory indicates that the economic growth rate is expected to be over 5% in the year 2014. West African countries will be recording the fastest growth rate given it represents Africa’s biggest business opportunity. This economic focus is highly welcomed by many investment and development stakeholders in Africa.
Considering that West African is a region with a big youthful population offering great investment prospects given the demographic incentives to drive investments in various industries such as consumer industries, business and manufacturing process outsourcing industries. With Nigeria, being the second biggest economy in the sub-Saharan Africa region and the most populated country (160 million people) in Africa.
This big population already plays a key role in the economic development of the continent. It also comes with various challenges that limit the process of converting natural wealth into viable economic solutions geared towards improving living standards and act as income generators. African leaders appreciate the need to adequately equip this huge population with relevant skills and technologies that will see them become highly productive. H.E Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s President was quoted saying, “For Africa to remain relevant, we need to adequately educate our people, as it is through education that we can unlock the potential of our youth to enable Africa to compete globally, and create jobs in the new knowledge economy.”
It is for these reasons that regional and global leaders will be attending the high profiled 24th World Economic Forum on Africa which will be held in Abuja starting on May 7th to May 9th, 2014. Some of the key issues the leaders will be discussing on includes: innovative structure reforms and economic investments that will sustain the continents growth while creating jobs and prosperity for all the citizens of African countries. The following regional and global leaders will co-chair the 24th World Economic Forum on Africa:
- Dominic Barton – Global Managing Director at McKinsey & Company based in UK.
- Jean-Francois Van Boxmeer – The Chairman of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer, HINEKEN, Netherlands.
- Aliko Dangote – President and CEO, Dangote Group, Nigeria.
- Bineta Diop – Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security, African Union; President, Femmes Africa Solidarite, Switzerland.
- Jabu A. Mabuza – Chairman, Telkom Group, South Africa.
- Sunil Bharti Mittal – Founder and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises, India.
- John Rice – President and CEO, Global Growth & Operations, General Electric Company, Hong Kong SAR.
To get an overview of the meeting click here, for a list of all partners for this event click here and for journalist who would like to cover the event you can read the media guideline by clicking here. You can also view the preliminary program by clicking here.
