Africa Collective Outlook Session & Luncheon Davos 2023

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See here the press release and video after the event & pictures from the session:

 

See full information about the event here:

AFRICA COLLECTIVE – OUTLOOK SESSION & LUNCHEON

Thursday 19th January 2023, 13:00-15:00, THE CHAPEL, Tobelmühlestrasse 2, 7270 Davos

Unlocking opportunities for growth and prosperity: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in action

The AfCFTA is a flagship trade pact to form the world’s largest free trade area by creating a single market for goods and services of almost 1.3bn people across Africa, deepening regional economic integration on the continent and unlocking tremendous opportunities for international business.

As of October 2022, 44 of the 54 signatories (81.5%) have deposited their instruments of ratification. On 7 October 2022, the AfCFTA Secretariat launched the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative in Accra, marking the commencement of trade under the Agreement.

A dynamic public-private ecosystem is already emerging around and in the realization of the agreement, opening up new opportunities for corporations. The session will explore how global and pan-African stakeholders can tap into the new possibilities of trade, investment, and business in Africa.

Key session topics:

  • AfCFTA’s private sector engagement strategy
  • Learnings and best practices: operating within pan-African value chains in key sectors (Agribusiness, Automotive, Pharma, and Transport & Logistics)
  • The business case for increased regional integration, intra-African trade, and pan-African investment
  • Examples of successful African and international businesses on the continent

As one of the last Africa-focused events in the week, the session & luncheon will both summarize findings from Davos on African opportunities as well as provide an outlook on key developments to come.

Format

Following introductory remarks by H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, AfCFTA Secretariat, the panelists will discuss dynamics around the AfCFTA and new perspectives for corporates. Views from panelists will be complemented by testimonials from the audience. The session will be concluded with a Q&A session.

Panelists & Speakers include

  • E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, AfCFTA Secretariat
  • S.H. Prince Maximilian von und zu Liechtenstein, Chairman, LGT Group
  • Iain Williamson, Group CEO, Old Mutual Limited
  • Clare Akamanzi, CEO, Rwanda Development Board
  • Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita, Chairperson, Standard Bank Group
  • Lutz Hegemann, President Global Health & Sustainability, Novartis

Moderator

  • Larry Madowo, International Correspondent, CNN

Agenda

12:30-13:00      Arrival of guests

13:10                Moderator: Welcome and intro

13:20-13:30      Introductory remarks:

      • E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, AfCFTA Secretariat

13:30                Moderator: Intro of panelists

13:35-14:05      Panel discussion:

      • E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, AfCFTA Secretariat
      • Iain Williamson, Group CEO, Old Mutual Limited
      • Clare Akamanzi, CEO of, the Rwanda Development Board
      • Optional: Additional panelist from the international private sector

14:05                Moderator: Intro of speakers for input statements

14:10-14:25      Input statements (3min each):

      • S.H. Prince Maximilian von und zu Liechtenstein, Chairman, LGT Group
      • Nonkuleleko Nyembezi-Heita, Chairperson, Standard Bank Group
      • Lutz Hegemann, President Global Health & Sustainability, Novartis

14:25-14:40      Q&A Session, kick-started with 1min impulse statements:

      • Marc Walder, CEO, Ringier AG
      • Ez Mazou, Director Corporate Affairs Africa, Philip Morris International
      • Michael Hacking, Founder & CEO, Mocoh SA

14:40-14:45      Closing remarks

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Location: Davos