Kigali, 9th May 2019: Africa Finance Corporation (“AFC”), the leading infrastructure solutions provider in Africa, has partnered with the Eisenhower Fellowships (EF) – the global leadership network engaged in dialogue and collaboration for a more peaceful, prosperous and just world – to support the EF Africa Regional Conference, that will be held in Kigali, Rwanda from 14 – 16 June 2019.
The theme for the conference this year is The Future of Africa’s Global Integration. It will unpack the opportunities, challenges and solutions that will foster the exchange of ideas, people, goods and services that will contribute to the new social compact between citizens and leaders for the advancement and acceleration of Africa’s development.
Conversations and dialogue will be centered on the Future of Trade; Future of Work; Technology & Innovation; and Governance. Other topical and relevant issues to Africa will also feature such as infrastructure development, which remains a challenge on the continent and will underpin AFC led dialogue at the conference.
Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of AFC commented: “A company based in Nigeria with branches in Cameroun and Benin finds it easier to import raw materials from China for its operations than export from Nigeria, yet they share borders.
“Lack of access to reliable power, poor transport, logistics networks and weak telecommunications infrastructure is limiting economic growth and restraining sector development across the continent, preventing millions of Africans from fulfilling their true potential.”
Africa has a significant funding gap of US$170 billion a year, leading to a reduction of 40% in productivity and 2% in GDP growth. Africa’s infrastructure deficit undermines industrial development and underlines the limited value addition in manufacturing. AFC was established to provide solutions to Africa’s infrastructure deficit and challenging operating environment by developing and financing infrastructure, natural resources and industrial assets to catalyze productivity gains and economic growth on the continent.
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Since its inception, AFC has invested over US$ 5.5 billion across 28 African countries. AFC is committed to investing in projects that will provide substantial, measurable benefit to a region or sector in the long term and will be templates for future infrastructure investment and development.
Other speakers joining the dialogue in Kigali include George De Lama (President of the Eisenhower Fellowships), Ali Mufuruki (Founder of Infotech Investment Group – Tanzania), H.E. Albert Muchanga (Commissioner of Trade and Commerce at the African Union), Hon. Paula Ingabire, (Minister of ICT & Innovation, Rwanda) amongst several others.
To register to attend the Eisenhower Fellowships Africa Regional Conference, please visit www.efafricaconference.com or email delegate@efafricaconference.com