The African Development Bank (AfDB) is co-hosting a major conference on the development of the private sector in Africa and its crucial role for economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction on the continent.

Other organisers of the event, taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, between 14 and 16 March 2012, include the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Rwandan government and parliament.

The conference, entitled'Private Sector Development in Africa - Cornerstone for Sustainable Growth, will bring together between 150 to 200 participants from the private sector, civil society, donors and parliamentarians.

The conference will review the private sector environment in Africa and examine action that African nations, in particular their parliamentary representatives, , can take to promote sustainable private sector development that boosts inclusive growth.

An AfDB delegation will attend the conference, led by Operations vice president, Mr Kamal El Kheshen, and will include executives from the AfDB's private sector, governance and human development departments.

Mr El Kheshen commented: "Private sector development" is one of the four pillars of the African Development Bank's strategy for development. African parliamentarians, as law-makers and representatives of the people, have the important role of shaping policies and passing laws which attract investment, protect property rights and provide safeguards for contract enforcement. The Kigali conference is a major opportunity for discussing ways for all stakeholders to support private sector development".

Contacts

Moktar Gaouad