Henry Ojelu.
African CEOs, bankers and investors, as well as representatives from key sectors including ICT, will converge in Abidjan on March 21 and 22 in 2016 for the Africa CEO Forum. Organised by African Development Bank and Rainbow Unlimited, the 2016 edition will be the fourth since the maiden conference in 2012 and will feature Africa’s key decision-makers according to an announcement by the organisers.
The vital role played by the private sector in fostering growth across the continent will form the central discussion by the more than 800 attendees expected at the forum next year.
Côte d’Ivoire’s 10% economic growth per year since 2012, investment rates of above 20% of GDP and rising exports since 2009, as well as its importance within the Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), were listed as reasons for holding the forthcoming forum in Abidjan .
Amir Ben Yahmed, founder and president of the Africa CEO Forum, noted other factors that led to the choice of an Ivorian city as host. “For the forthcoming edition we have chosen a country and a region that is showing clear signs of robust economic development. The fact that the African Development Bank is based there – our partner since the first edition – was a further contributing factor,”
The 2016 edition will enable participants to attend a number of conferences featuring top-level debates on how to foster conditions favourable to the strategic development of the continent’s leading businesses. Mohamed Ahizoune, CEO of Maroc Telecom, is expected to attend the event.
The forum will feature ‘Deal Rooms’ where CEOs and investors will get the opportunity to identify new partners and share their experiences and good practices in their sector of activity.