Some 300 CEOs from all over Africa, together with 100 bankers and investors, and numerous decision-makers from Africa's public sector will be gathering in Geneva for two days of dialogue and debate.

After more than a decade of uninterrupted growth, Africa now stands as one of the most promising economic zones of the world, set against the background of general crisis in Europe and the United States. Success stories are happening all the time, and new entrepreneurs emerging just as frequently motivated by a desire to conquer new markets beyond their borders and the continent.

The AFRICA CEO FORUM is the first international conference for leaders of top African companies, high-level executives of large African, surpassing sectoral conferences and staying off the beaten track of academic events. It brings together for two days, entrepreneurs, investors, financial decision-makers, and policy-makers to promote the success of the African private sector, providing a platform for public-private dialogue and high-level strategic solutions to support the development of company and its African markets.

For Donald Kaberuka, president of the African Development Bank, co-organizer of the event, the AFRICA CEO FORUM fits perfectly into the AfDB's mission, which is to foster an environment conducive to business and private sector development. It will, he says, "highlight the initiatives of African enterprises, allow entrepreneurs to share their experiences, and promote regional and intra-African trade."

Several leaders of the largest African companies are confirmed as participants. Examples include Aliko Dangote, CEO of Nigeria's largest industrial conglomerate, Jean-Louis Billon, president of Sifca, Cote d'Ivoire's largest private employer, Issad Rebrad, CEO of Cevital, the largest private group in Algeria, Terrab Mostafa, CEO of the Moroccan company, OCP, the world's largest exporter of phosphates, and Mark Cutifani, who heads the South African mining group, AngloGold Ashanti. Leaders of major international groups who have also announced their attendance at the Geneva meeting include, as Tidjane Thiam, CEO of top British insurance group, Prudential, and Sunny Verghese, CEO of Olam, the multinational agribusiness based in Singapore.

All are in support of the launch of the first forum for the African private sector. They will be sharing experiences and contacts, and considering how African businesses can develop and contribute to the economic growth of the continent.

Contacts

Pénélope Pontet