Lagos — President and founder of Eurasia Group to open the continent's premier infrastructure investment summit – Heads of state to join to AFC to celebrate 10 years of excellence in African infrastructure investment
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the leading pan-African multilateral development finance institution and project developer, is pleased to announce that Ian Bremmer, the president and founder of leading global political risk research and consulting firm Eurasia Group, will deliver the keynote speech at AFC Live next week.
AFC Live, Africa's premier infrastructure summit will bring together some of the industry's leading experts to identify solutions for addressing Africa's critical infrastructure needs.
SEE: Africa's Premier Infrastructure Event - AFC Live - in Abuja May 15-16
The two-day summit opens on 15th May at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. Policy makers, government representatives, legal and financial advisers and world-leading investors will be joining AFC and various heads of state, for a programme of workshops, panel discussions and high-level debates around the theme "The Infrastructure Revolution".
The Summit coincides with AFC's 10th anniversary, that sees the Corporation celebrating a decade of pioneering infrastructure investment and project development, over which it has invested approximately $4 billion across 30 countries.
Andrew Alli, President and Chief Executive of AFC, said: "Africa's infrastructure gap remains colossal, requiring approximately US$100 billion every year for the next decade to bridge. Through hosting AFC Live we hope that together we can generate solutions that will increase deal flow and fast track commercial projects in Africa, and address the critical challenge of making projects bankable.
"Since our inaugural Summit three years ago, both the global economic environment and the industry landscape have changed dramatically. Despite the challenging economic headwinds, AFC has thrived and we have continued to promote economic and social development across the continent through our investments. We are well placed to continue this success in the future, and aim to become a $5 billion Corporation by 2019.
"We look forward to welcoming our honourable speakers and attendees to AFC Live, in particular Ian Bremmer as our keynote speaker, and anticipate ground-breaking discussion that goes some way to addressing Africa's pressing infrastructure needs."
Once dubbed the "rising guru" in the field of political risk by The Economist, Ian advises leading executives, money managers, diplomats, and heads of state in his role as president of Eurasia Group. He is a prolific thought leader and author, regularly expressing his views on political issues in public speeches, television appearances, and top publications, including Time magazine, where he is the foreign affairs columnist and editor-at-large.
Other confirmed speakers at AFC Live include Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Charles Soludo, former Central Bank Governor of Nigeria.
Also sharing their insights into Africa's infrastructure revolution will be: Charles Robertson, Chief Economist at Renaissance Capital, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings; and Ana Hajduka, CEO of Africa GreenCo.
The summit is sponsored by international law firm Hogan Lovells, consultants professional services company KPMG and the investment banks United Capital and First Bank
Africa's Premier Infrastructure Event - AFC Live - in Abuja May 15-16
