Five heads of state have confirmed their participation in the 2015 Global African Investment Summit.
The presidents of Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda and several dignitaries of other African countries will be attending the economic development summit to be held on 1-2 December 2015 in London.
After last year’s successful inaugural edition, the Global African Investment Summit (TGAIS) will once again bring over 750 global investors, project developers and senior government leaders together to harness trade and investment opportunities in Africa. Paul Kagame, John Dramani Mahama, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Peter Mutharika, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the presidents of Rwanda, Ghana, Uganda, Malawi and Liberia respectively, alongside the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Augustin Matata Ponyo, will meet global business leaders at Central Hall Westminster to present various investment opportunities in their regions. Former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, will also take part in this year’s event both as chairman and as a speaker.
Unlike most conferences focused on Africa, TGAIS moves beyond the conventional discussion on the need for change in Africa. Instead, the event provides a business platform, offering African governments and companies the chance to present their investment projects to a diverse audience of global businesses interested in long-term investment in Africa.
During Project Roundtable Meetings, real investment opportunities are presented and business relationships are further developed. An audit of the businesses in attendance in 2014 accounted for control of US$235-billion in managed funds. Another key differentiator at this year’s event will be the introduction of a new case study stream, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to present successful stories in Africa.
“Africa is one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing regions,” says Paul Sinclair, director of TGAIS. “This summit actively encourages trade and investment by giving African governments, business leaders and visionaries the opportunity to present their projects and set up partnerships. We are a game changer.”
Another initiative will be the launch of the African Entrepreneurship Programme (AEP) in partnership with former President Obasanjo and Aliko Dangote, one of Africa’s most successful businessmen. The AEP will support African entrepreneurs to realise their investment objectives by giving them the opportunity to present and connect with financial stakeholders.
This year’s two-day TGAIS programme will be addressing the theme of ‘Transforming African Economies for Global Competitiveness.’ The agenda will cover the infrastructure, power, agribusiness, FMCG, tourism and natural resources sectors.