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Evolution of Business Leadership in Africa

It is no secret that most African nations have not realized their full potential. They continue to operate below their optimal utilization levels due to various factors - the most significant among them being the quality of leadership. The Leadership Summit, comprised of a group of well-respected and accomplished CEOs, will examine the evolution of African business leadership through regional socio-political changes, through the ranks of large existing businesses and through businesses built from scratch. Through their personal experience, these highly regarded business leaders will provide insight on the challenges they faced and successes they achieved in creating and enhancing businesses in tough environments and breaking the contextual mold of the times and envisioning future success, despite less than optimal market conditions. Finally, they will share their thoughts on revisiting businesses that others thought were no longer viable.

The Players

Made in Africa: The New Export Game

Trade involving the export of timber and cocoa but the import of furniture and chocolate bars is common in African export markets. It is a prevailing theme in the global export game that the African players export raw materials but import finished goods. This panel aims to discuss issues that prevent the exportation of African finished goods and services from three different perspectives; financial, entrepreneurial and governmental. Issues to be discussed include the challenges faced by African capital markets and banks in answering the financial needs of African companies with respect to developing the capacity to export finished goods and services. The panel will also discuss the role of International capital markets in financing African development. From the entrepreneur's perspective, the panel will explore the key infrastructure African entrepreneurs need to be successful and how they can encourage the development of this infrastructure. Finally, the panel will cover government policies that promote a stable environment that fuses the goals of the financier and the entrepreneur.

The Players

Telecommunications and Technology in Africa: Connectivity for Productivity

With mobile subscriber numbers having increased by more than 1000% between 1998 and 2003 (currently 51.8 million) the world' fastest growing telecom market is the African telecom market, and it has captured the attention of global investors. At the end of 2003, there were twice as many mobile numbers as fixed line numbers. This panel will discuss the reasons behind this rapid mobile sector expansion and explore the sector's future avenues for growth. From their own experience and expertise, the panelists will share some proven rules to follow to create a successful African telecom business and other ways to take advantage of this sizable market.

The Players


Financing Investments in Africa

The African business terrain is riddled with unique opportunities. In addition to identifying these opportunities, the entrepreneur must be able to design an effective business plan. This venture initiation workshop will explore the mechanics of identifying, initiating and managing new growth-oriented ventures. The workshop will focus on venture capital, other financing resources and the key differences between the U.S. and African markets. Finally, the panel will look at the current market perspective on funding African ventures and what guidelines need to be followed to carefully evaluate segment opportunities.

The Players

Successful Marketing Strategies for the Growing African Market

As the Internet firmly establishes itself in Africa, the African consumer has become better informed about standards around the world. Thinning barriers of inter-continental trade make access to foreign goods and services more seamless. To remain competitive in this rapidly developing market, African businesses will have to work harder at understanding their potential customers, and how to best reach, acquire and retain them. This panel will address the challenges - present and future - facing African businesses in a transforming African marketplace and the progressive sophistication of the African consumer. As Africa transforms itself through political, economical and technological reform, the African consumer will demand better products, improved distribution and more sophisticated approaches to marketing and sales.

The Players


The Role of Energy in African Economic Development

Home to 13% of the world's population, Africa accounts for 2% of world economic output. Real GDP in Africa has remained constant as a share of the world total, at 2% since 1970, and is projected to remain around 2% through 2020 according to the US Department of Energy. Africa's enormous commercial energy resources are massively underdeveloped because of poorly developed pipelines and electricity grids, widespread and severe poverty and the difficult and expensive importation of commercial energy resources to many landlocked African countries. This panel will discuss pressing issues that will assist in unlocking the huge energy potential in Africa in addition to the broad role this segment can play in empowering other African industries.


The Players

Navigating The Challenges of FDI in Africa

The general consensus on investing in Africa is typically negative. Citing high levels of political uncertainty, vulnerable swings in commodity prices and weak and unstable currencies, International capital markets rate Africa as one of the riskiest regions in the world for trade and investment. Despite this assertion, some of the most profitable ventures in recent years have been in investments in Africa. Perhaps the real problem has to do with successfully navigating the intimidating African business terrain. This panel will not only assist with developing a roadmap to operating efficiently in African markets, but also expound on the failures and successes of recent players.

The Players

Players in African Private Equity

Private equity investment as a fuel for economic growth in Africa is still in relatively short supply.  However, a number of firms and individuals willing to bear the perceived risk of investing in the continent have been rewarded with favorable results. This workshop is of particular importance to professionals interested in this nascent industry.  It’s designed to engage the audience and our featured guests in an interactive discussion about issues at the forefront of the private equity and venture capital sector in the continent. Our guests will share their perspectives, and discuss recent transactions and professional opportunities.

The Players

 

 

 



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