Driving Investment for Inclusive Growth 7 th - 9 th December 2017 Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt Business for Africa, Egypt and the World Under the High Patronage of H.E. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Why attend? Update yourself on the latest trends and developments in Africa. Learn from industry thought leaders in key strategic sectors. With 21 IPAs present, Africa2017 provides you with a unique platform to pursue new business opportunities across Africa. Gain unrivalled access to key business leaders and companies. Meet the DFIs and international financiers to fund commercial projects and ventures. Who will attend? Invited delegations from a number of African countries represented at a Presidential or Ministerial level. A number of business delegations will be accompanying their respective governments as well as the Investment Promotion Agencies of those countries. Last year s Forum attracted a truly international audience. The African private sector will be represented at a CEO or senior C-suite level or equivalent from the following industries: Financial Services, Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Construction, Energy, Technology, FCMG, Transport & Logistics and Infrastructure. Speaker Highlights from Africa 2016 My enthusiasm today is especially strong because of the message which is at the heart of this Forum. And that message is, quite simply, that Africa s moment has come His Highness the Aga Khan, Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network The UK continues to view Africa as a fast-growing continent with a high return on investment Rt. Hon. Mark Simmonds Increasingly a broad-based leadership is coming to the fore to address Africa s challenges. This leadership in Africa is not just about a few individuals, nor is it just about politics: it includes the private sector, civil society, individuals in academia, as well as innovators, among others Carlos Lopes, Former UNECA Executive Secretary The opportunity is there for local venture capital funds to build a new Silicon Valley Jesse Moore, Founder and CEO, M-Kopa
DAY 1 7 TH DECEMBER Young Entrepreneurs Day Welcome Remarks Panel Discussions Workshops Cocktail Reception DAY 2 8 TH DECEMBER Africa 2017 Forum Official Opening Keynotes Plenary Sessions Parallel Breakout Sessions Gala Dinner DAY 3 9 TH DECEMBER Africa 2017 Forum Plenary Sessions Parallel Breakout Sessions Case Studies Closing Dialogue From One Generation to the Other Overview Africa 2017 builds on the success of the inaugural Africa Forum in 2016 which saw the participation of six heads of state and more than 1,000 delegates from 45 countries. This year the programme has been enhanced to include more case studies and industry and expert briefings as well as a Young Entrepreneurs Day that will feature young and dynamic leaders from across the continent at the helm of promising projects and new businesses. The Forum will provide unrivalled access to Africa s most important decision makers, including policy makers, financiers, leading industrialists and project owners. With the participation of over 40 official country delegations and many international attendees Africa2017 is a must-attend event for anyone doing business in Africa or wanting to gain unique insights into latest developments across key markets in the continent, including latest trends and updates. The Forum is centred around three pillars: Driving Investment for sustainable development Job creation: harnessing the opportunity of Africa s young talent Inclusive growth For more information contact: info@businessforafricaforum.com www.businessforafricaforum.com
In 2016 Egypt attracted 19.7% more FDI projects compared with 2015 Capital investment into Africa rose 31.9% in 2016 Public investment in Egypt increased by 61% in 2016 Africa accounted for 30% of all global improvements in business reforms in 2016 African consumer spending projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2020 Invest In The Future Economic growth in Africa has proven to be resilient. Today Africa remains the second fastest growing region in the world. In 2016, 12 African countries grew at above 5% and 20 countries grew at 3-5%. Moreover across the continent the average GDP growth rate is expected to hit 4.3% in 2018. Such stability is underpinned by progressive economic reforms. In 2016 Africa accounted for 30% of all global business and regulatory reforms. The macroeconomic figures and stability translate into more investment. During 2016, capital investment into Africa rose 31.9% to $94.1 billion, and business to business investment is projected to rise to $3.5 trillion in the next eight years. Such indicators make the continent the most attractive region to invest in. As the host country, Egypt has embarked on major economic reform and structural transformation programmes, strongly supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. Egypt has been experiencing a fast and steady economic recovery. FDI reached $6.8 billion in 2015/16 and the economy is expected to grow 4% in 2017, outpacing the world s average. Moreover helped by macroeconomic stabilisation, removal of foreign exchange shortages, and the improved business climate, GDP growth is projected to recover to its potential growth of 5-6% over the medium term. Egypt has shown persistent actions to support and enhance economic, political, and cultural integration within the African continent. With its unique geographical position, its free trade agreements with Africa including the COMESA regional free trade agreement, and the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement between COMESA, EAC and SADC blocks, the country is ideally positioned to be a gateway for investors into Africa. The landmark tripartite agreement between COMESA, SADC and the EAC, which was launched in Sharm El Sheikh in June 2015, will create the largest trading bloc in Africa, with 26 countries, a combined GDP nearing $1.2 trillion and a market of close to 620 million consumers
Young Entrepreneurs Day Connecting Tomorrow s Champions The Young Entrepreneurs Day aims to harness the demographic dividend by offering a unique platform to invest in youth and the young champions of tomorrow. PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS 7 TH DECEMBER The Young Entrepreneurs Day will feature the rising stars of the continent, welcome the leading private investment firms and invite a roster of thought leaders currently changing the Entrepreneurship ecosystem in Africa and the world. Some $366 million funding was raised by African startups in 2016, proving that homegrown solutions are attracting investment from leading Venture Capital firms and other investors. 1. TED style talks and workshops 2. Hear from the leading serial entrepreneurs in Africa 3. Tailor-made workstreams: ACCESS TO FINANCE SCALING UP IMPACT INVESTMENT CENTRED LEADERSHIP 4. The startup elevator pitch
Driving Investment for Inclusive Growth Africa 2017 is organised by the Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation of Egypt and COMESA Regional Investment Agency (RIA). This year s forum will focus on strengthening intra-african ties to boost investment and private sector collaboration, bringing together some of the key actors in business and government. Africa 2017 will have a pro-business agenda providing a platform to find out about some of the continent s most interesting investment opportunities as well as an opportunity to debate and formulate solutions to some of Africa s most pressing issues. The Forum reinforces Egypt s commitment to support and enhance economic and cultural integration and to spur investment into what is still one of the fastest growing regions in the world. H.E. Dr. Sahar Nasr Minister of Investment and International Cooperation We are delighted to host, once again, the business, investment and international community, at the Africa 2017 Forum, with the objective of promoting investments into our African continent. In Egypt, we have undertaken an ambitious economic reform programme, of which a key ingredient is improving the business environment and overall country competitiveness. Such efforts go hand-in-hand with our commitment to serve as a strategic gateway for Africa and the world. Organisers