Event Description 

Entrepreneurship is the keys to sustainable economic and private sector development in Africa, as growth accelerates on the continent, it generates with it new opportunities for investment. When it comes to future global investment strategies, Africa is high on the agenda for investors and entrepreneurs.The continent has become a more attractive investment destination over the last decade and is expected to sustain it's long term investment potential. 

The conference will bring together government representatives, business leaders and entrepreneurs, to explore several aspects of entrepreneurship and economic development in Africa. The discussion will reflect on practical experience, real success and future prospects for growth and opportunity in Africa. Further promises to stimulate thoughts and action with a view to promoting further trade and investment in Africa’s dynamic economies. 

Key areas to be addressed       

• Tackling Africa economic problems through entrepreneurship.
• The role of the government to promote and support SMEs growth in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Creating conducive business climate that will foster start-ups and attract FDIs.
• The role of entrepreneurship in Africa's growing economy.
• Unlocking untapped investment opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Creating employment opportunities through entrepreneurship.
• Growing interest in frontier market investment: Opportunities and Challenges.

Keynote Speakers & Panelists     

Edwin Laurent

Adviser & Head, International Trade & Regional Co-operation, Economic Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat.

Dr John Hancock

Senior policy advisor to the Director-General for  World Trade Organisation's Africa Aid-for-Trade initiative, representative to the IMF and World Bank, and head of investment issues.

Prof Sonny Nwankwo

Professor of Marketing and director for Research and Enterprise , East London Business School

Abigail Noble

Head, Latin America and Africa, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and World Economic Forum Community of Social Entrepreneurs (tbc)

Gibril Faal

Chairman of AFFORD and Director of GK Partners

Patrick Gihana

Commercial Attache, Rwanda High Commission in the UK.

Wanja Michuki

Principal Counsellor for Trade and Economic Affairs, Kenya High Commission

Hilut Zemene

Minister Counsellor for Trade and Affairs, Embassy for Ethiopia (tbc)

Nick Rouse

Managing Director of Frontier Market Fund Managers, Standard Bank.

Wiliam So

Former President and current Chief Advisor of China Unicom Africa and Managing Director of Powerhouse Ltd.

Geetha Tharmaratnam

Investment Principal, Aureos Capital

Tara O'Connor

Managing Director of Africa Risk Consulting.

Dr Chege Githiora

Chairman, Center for African Studies , SOAS, University of London.

David Smith

CEO, British Africa Business Association

Dr Stewart Iyala

Director and Head of Trade, Finance and Management Development Programmes, Centre for African Trade, Finance, Law and Development  (CATFLD) and Reseacher at London South Bank University.

Chijioke Kwadoko

Special Advisor on Economic Planning and Strategy for Abia State, Nigeria

Sarah Teacher

Director, Africa Innovation Prize

 NB: The speakers' list is subject to change with further speakers to be confirmed later.

Benefit for attending            

• Networking opportunity with high level delegates.
• Broaden knowledge about business opportunities in Africa
• Knowledge and experience sharing opportunity.
• Opportunity to promote your business to wider audience.

For Sponsorship, Advertisment , Media and speaking enquiries please contact the events team at events@s-scg.com

Organises by: 

Centre for Africa Studies