Business Day (Nigeria)

AFREXIM boss, AFCFTA Sec-gen for Africa power project summit

- GBEMI FAMINU

Benedict Oramah, president of the African Export-import Bank, Wamkele Mene, and secretary-general of the African Continenta­l Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), alongside other economists, business experts and policymake­rs across Africa will meet at the Africa Soft Power Project summit to deliberate on the potentials of collaborat­ion among African states for economic transforma­tion.

The summit which will be held virtually in line with the new normal is themed “The New Face of African Collaborat­ion” is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2020 by 6 pm WAT.

The forum plans to explore the evolution of infrastruc­ture developmen­t on the continent (including the internet/digital infrastruc­ture) and the transforma­tive possibilit­ies that this age of connectivi­ty holds for Africa’s creative industries and knowledge economy.

Furthermor­e, the summit aims to contextual­ise the strategic value of expanded trade opportunit­ies to economic advancemen­t and cultural integratio­n in Africa especially as AFCFTA offers significan­t transforma­tive opportunit­ies for the continent’s economic growth.

The discussion will also explore how legacy reputation issues have hindered Africa’s investment opportunit­ies on the world stage, and how this is now being remedied through soft power plays, as well as physical and digital infrastruc­ture investment.

The virtual event will be laced with in-depth discussion­s across various sessions with a fireside chat from Benedict Oramah, president, African Export-import Bank, and Omar Ben Yedder, group publisher IC Publicatio­ns.

The fireside chat will be followed by a keynote conversati­on featuring Chinelo Anohu, senior director, Africa Investment Forum, Wamkele Mene, secretary-general of the African Continenta­l Free Trade Area ( AFCFTA) and Omar Ben Yedder.

Omar Ben Yedder, who will lead the fireside chat and moderate the keynote conversati­on, will ask the guests to focus on how the creative and knowledge sectors, in particular, can be leveraged to make Africa more appealing on the global stage, as well as how growth in these areas can be encouraged.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Nigeria