Hello,

It is with great pleasure, on behalf of the Wharton Africa Student Association (WASA), that I welcome you to the 12th edition of the Wharton Africa Business Forum (WABF), a part of the Wharton Global Forum. The Wharton Global forum provides an environment for business leaders and scholars to engage in dialogue about business developments across regions that include Africa, Asia, Europe, India, Latin America and West Asia.

At the 2003 WABF (Reinventing Business in Africa), we discussed the challenges associated with building African Multinational Corporations ("MNCs"). Our theme for the 2004 WABF is "Business in Africa: New Game New Rules". In continuing with the afore-mentioned discussion, this year's conference will expound on recent developments in the environment in which the MNCs will operate and compete in as well as explore recent fundamental changes in the ways business is conducted in Africa.

More specifically, the forum will provide an environment that fosters the initiation of conversations amongst accomplished, aspiring business men and women and brilliant scholars. These discussions will provide fresh insight about the New Game(how the forces in play (government policies, capital and labor market depth, quality and the impact of technology in reshaping the terrain) are transforming the business landscape and driving change across all levels. The forum will also highlight how the New Rules are making the old players rethink their business models and how the new players are embracing the risks, challenges and opportunities resulting from these changes.

Issues to be discussed include the challenges upcoming African MNCs face, the creation, sustenance and transfer of wealth amongst Africans, the mechanisms reversing the African brain-drain syndrome and also the viability of Africa as an outsourcing destination. We will also discuss how new and old players can better position themselves to exploit key global opportunities such as the "Aging Population Crisis" in developed countries and the emergence of Africa as an alternative strategic location for global fuels. Finally, the forum will also host the third edition of the Africa Business Plan Competition.

I believe that the diversity and calibre of guest speakers we have lined up to partake in this forum will make it a truly defining moment in our careers, as we jointly contribute to enrich the discussions of the New Gameand its New Rules. I therefore hope that you can join us on the 20th of November in Philadelphia to make this occasion an exciting and memorable one.

Femi Ogunseinde,
2004 WABF Chair