An Africa -- EU High-Level Forum Integrated Conference Taking cooperation to the digital age From Entrepreneur to CEO: Channelling the Power of the Diaspora Monday, 17 December 2018 @ Vienna International Centre (VIC) Tuesday, 18 December 2018 @ Austria Center Vienna #AAC2018 Attend workshops led by experts Network with like-minded entrepreneurs CONCEPT NOTE www.acceleratedafrica.org Discover new investment opportunities Connect with the African diaspora Organized by: &
TENTATIVE PARTNERS Financial Partners ADA AU (CIDO) Bundeskanzleramt Bundesministerium für Europa, Integration und Äußeres Dreikönigsaktion Ethiopian Airlines EU ICMPD OIF Raiffeisen Bank Republic of Algeria WKÖ Institutional and Technical Partners ADEPT AFD AfDB Babyloan Bridge for Billions CEDEAO ECOWAS CLUB 2030 Afrique FEOACI FORIM ILO Impact Hub IOM Jatropha SA Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation (VIDC) WeCashUp Media Partners Enjeux Africains Radio Afrika France24 New African Classe Export Kurier Zeitung Diaspora News Diaspora eco Forbes Financial Times
TABLE OF CONTENTS AAC+ at a glance...1 Africa-EU High-Level Forum - Taking cooperation to the digital age...2 Channeling the Power of the Diaspora: From Entrepreneur to CEO...3 Format...4 Reasons to attend...5 Draft programme...6 Tentative list of speakers...8
AAC + at a glance ADYFE and UNIDO have been increasingly collaborating over the past years on previous editions of the Accelerated Africa+ Conference (AAC+), related initiatives, and fora, in order to enhance the critical role of the Diaspora and young entrepreneurs in addressing the continent s socio-economic challenges. In this regard, AAC+ provides a unique platform for different stakeholders, such as aspiring and established entrepreneurs, the private sector, and government representatives, to connect in order to engage in partnership-building and jointventure-promotion activities during B2B and B2G events. The master classes and workshops are another highlight of the conference, facilitating the effective promotion of entrepreneurial capacity building and knowledge sharing, to support young entrepreneurs from the diaspora or in their country of origin. Finally, AAC+ contributes to the South/South and North/South dialogue, while fostering the formation of diaspora networks and business communities based in Europe, to increase their developmental role and maximize their respective impacts. AAC+ 2017 in numbers 589 attendees 183 entrepreneurs 48 nationalities represented 118 B2B/B2G meetings 3,330 Twitter impressions 9,800 Facebook impressions 1
Africa-EU High-Level Forum - Taking cooperation to the digital age Austria holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) in the second half of 2018. True to the conclusions agreed upon at the European Council on June 28, 2018, Europe needs to take the extent and the quality of its cooperation with Africa to a new level, moving beyond focusing on migration as a common challenge. Austria is committed to contributing to this aim. President Kagame of Rwanda is the Chairman of the African Union for 2018. As an advocate for the advancement of an African single digital market, he has emphasized that a pathway to prosperity for all Africans, especially young people, can only be achieved by infusing African economies with technology and collaborating with Africa s private sector. Therefore, President Kagame and Chancellor Kurz have decided to call for a High- Level Forum to provide a space for European and African leaders, together with CEOs of major global companies, innovation champions, and start-ups, as well as other stakeholders, to reflect on and do the needful as necessary, to deepen the relationship in all its aspects with a specific focus on taking this cooperation to the digital age, and to securing prosperity and competitiveness for both continents. The High-Level Forum will promote innovation and digitalization as important enablers for our future development, so that everyone benefits from the on-going digital transformation. It aims to assess how current partnerships between Africa and Europe contribute to this goal, complementing the on-going implementation of the Joint Declaration of the 2017 Abidjan Summit of the African Union and the European Union, which inter alia highlighted the importance of unlocking the potential of the digital economy for Africa and Europe. It also aims at contributing to the Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs announced by President Juncker in his recent State of the Union speech. 2
Channelling the Power of the Diaspora: Boosting Digitalization and Fintech for More Jobs in Africa As of today, remittances and resources sent from the diaspora to their country of origin represent three times in volume the amount of official development assistance (ODA) globally. If some of this financial flow could be channelled towards productive investments, it could drastically change the face of the continent. The contribution of diaspora members to the development of their countries of origin goes far beyond financial resources. It also includes the transfer of skills and knowledge, entrepreneurship, trade, investments, network building, bridging cultural divides and breaking down gender stereotypes. In addition, social investments and remittances can create a positive development impact. The diaspora have linguistic and cultural links to their native country at their disposal, which empowers them to become agents of change, allowing them to create businesses which directly contribute to the development of their communities. In this regard, the Diaspora represents a cornerstone in the new developmental paradigm as, if surrounded by an enabling environment, they then share their human, social, economic and cultural capital by bridging their countries of residence and origin. Their transnational situation positions them as real catalysts for philanthropy, investments, knowledge sharing and innovation in their countries of origin. This year s Africa-EU High-Level Integrated Conference will present the main challenges entrepreneurs are faced with when evolving in the African context, such as: 1) the access to relevant trainings, 2) business creation barriers, 3) the development of marketable skills, and the challenges linked to market positioning, 4) the lack of access to finance, etc. The event will explore innovative solutions that could foster the emergence of a robust entrepreneurial culture which will increase the creation of decent jobs while developing local economic opportunities. The access to technology, the digitalization of information, trainings, as well as financial services will be the centre of discussion. 3
Format The High-Level Integreated Forum will take place over two days. The first day, ACC+ will offer two master classes, addressing entrepreneurs on issues related to business partnership development, digitalization & IT, sectoral positioning, enhanced communication challenging environments, and innovative financial solutions. The High-Level Forum will further highlight the untapped potential of a partnership in technology exchange and trade, as well as its importance for economic growth, creating employment opportunities, building resilient societies and fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to harness this potential, political will is crucial for shaping the necessary conditions for investment and innovation. Together with President Kagame, Chancellor Kurz will open the Forum at the Austria Center Vienna. During the high-level segment, leaders and CEOs will be invited to share their vision on the current state and future cooperation between Africa and Europe regarding innovation and digitalization. This day will be followed by six parallel roundtables, focused on key themes linked to innovating for the digital age in Africa. Proposed themes are: Education and skills to create jobs for the 21st Century; Agriculture 4.0.; The role of technology in improving health outcomes; Access to sustainable energy for all; Smart urbanization mega cities; and Financial Technology. The Forum will be accompanied by an innovation fair and B2B Event, where young entrepreneurs and innovators will present their concepts and solutions catered to the digital age. This will provide an opportunity for both continents to showcase their creative startups that find solutions to different emerging challenges. Participants will include European and African Heads of State and Government, accompanied by relevant Ministers, CEOs of highly innovative European and African companies, representatives of start-ups and innovative enterprises, investors, as well as development partners, both bilateral and multilateral, including the United Nations, International Financial Institutions, and representatives of civil society. 4
Reasons to attend 1. Learn. This year s first day of the AAC+ is entirely focused on gaining knowledge for success with a choice of 8 current topics related to business, digitalization, growth and investment. Are you an expert that wants to share your knowledge for greater good? Are you an entrepreneur that wishes to learn from the best? Do you want to learn more about innovative technology? Attend this year s AAC+ and join the hands-on interactive workshops to learn more about being an entrepreneur. 2. Network. Are you looking to connect to business opportunities? Are you an investor looking for your next venture? Are you an entrepreneur that wants to find out more about starting, growing, or expanding your business? Do you want to find out how to create viable partnerships and business linkages? Attend this year s AAC+ to build new connections with top companies, Heads of State, business enablers, and discover opportunities that lead to success. 3. Apply. What will you do with the new connections and knowledge you have acquired in those two days? While that is up to you, we want to support you in your business endeavors post-conference. When attending our workshops, ensure that you leave your email address in order to receive updates, such as job, coaching and investment opportunities, and invitations to further networking events. 5
Day 1- LEARN: 17 December 2018 Draft Programme Morning* 08:30-10:30 10:45-12:45 1. Partnering for Success - Building a Strong Network Topics of discussion: How to build a professional network, how to meet potential partners, how to craft a value proposition, joint ventures, crowdfunding 2. IT/ Digitalization - Tech IT Up to the Next Level: Tech Skills to Boost Job Creation Topics of discussion: FinTech, e-services, e-commerce, IT for business expansion and job creation, Agriculture 4.0, financial Technology Speakers: ADYFE, UNIDO, Smart Africa, Austia, EU, AU, CEOS 12:45-13:45 LUNCH 13:45-15:45 16:00-17:30 Reflection Sessions: Digitalization Solutions for entrepreneurship, job creation, and boosting sustainable enterprise growth in Africa Topics of discussion: Condictive environment for job creation through digitalization and policy Speakers: ADYFE, UNIDO, Smart Africa, Austia, EU, AU, CEOS Afternoon* Speakers: ADYFE, UNIDO, Smart Africa, Austia, EU, AU, CEOS 17:30 Evening Networking Event: Ice-breaking Dinner (Invite-only) 6
Day 2 - NETWORK & APPLY: 18 December 2018 For more information please see: https://www.eu2018.at/calendar-events/political-events/bka-2018-12-18-high-level-forum-africa-europe.html 08:00-09:00 Welcome by Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and the Chairperson of the African Union, Paul Kagame 09:00-09:30 Opening of the High-Level Forum Africa-Europe by Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and the Chairperson of the African Union, Paul Kagame 09:30-11:00 High-Level Opening Panel 11:00-11:30 Family Photo 13:00 Press Conference with: - Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission - Paul Kagame, Chairperson of the African Union - Sebastian Kurz, Federal Chancellor of Austria 16:00 Concluding Statements by Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and President Paul Kagame To attend the B2B and B2Match event, please register at: https://euafricaforum2018.b2match.io/ 7
Tentative List of Speakers Government Representatives (Ministerial Level) Algeria/Tunisia Mali/Cote d Ivoire Ghana Ethiopia Haiti Rwanda Private Sector WKÖ Babyloan Scania Volvo Illy Cafe AbzeSolar HP Chevron Komatsu Microsoft Financial and Technical Partners EU ADA ILO ICMPD World Bank World Economic Forum IOM IOF Bridge for Billions AfricaPaid Diaspora Organizations Nigeria Mali Senegal Cameroon Rwanda Morocco Guinea 8