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Time to move Africa from the periphery to the centre of the global economy

The 20th World Economic Forum on Africa concluded in Dar es Salaam today. Thirteen African heads of state/government participated together with more than 1,000 participants from 85 countries. Rethinking Africa’s Growth Strategy was the theme of the meeting.

Despite Africa’s huge potential, it suffers from lack of integration in the global economy. “If there is any predicament to African development, it is this state of affairs,” said Jakaya M. Kikwete, President of Tanzania. “[It is time] to move Africa from the periphery to the centre of the global economy.”

President Kikwete reminded participants at the closing plenary that the smallest share of global exports comes from Africa – just 3.5%. Just a trickle of global foreign direct investment (FDI) goes to Africa at 0.96% and the continent is not integrated into international financial markets. “Africa remains predominantly a primary producer and importer for industrial use. We produce what we don’t consume and we consume what we don’t produce,” he said. “This cannot continue.”

To end the continent’s marginalization, Africans must believe in themselves and “be the change they want to see” was a message that resonated across the Forum’s sessions and private meetings. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, noted that the upcoming World Cup 2010 will show the world that Africa is ready to do anything. “There were a lot of doubts and scepticism. But people who come to Africa will see that we are not just bushes and mountains. They will see how Africa is ready to do anything that can be done anywhere else in the world.” Watch the full closing plenary session below.

Pictures from the World Economic Forum on Africa

Pictures from the World Economic Forum on Africa held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 5-7 May 2010.

What leaders expect from the World Economic Forum on Africa

The co-chairs of the World Economic Forum on Africa 2010 explain their expectations for the meetings which starts on 5 May in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania under the theme : "Rethinking Africa's Growth Strategy. Watch interviews with Ajai Chowdhry, Founder, HCL, India; Kuseni Douglas Dlamini, CEO, Old Mutual, South Africa; Pat Davies, Chief Executive, Sasol, South Africa; Jørgen Ole Haslestad, President and Chief Executive Officer, Yara International ASA, Norway.

Record Participation at the 20th World Economic Forum on Africa

Nearly 1,000 participants from 85 countries will participate in the 20th World Economic Forum on Africa which will be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 5-7 May 2010. President Kikwete will host the meeting, which this year explores the theme “Rethinking Africa’s Growth Strategy”. President Kikwete said: “Africa is a continent full of potential. Africa has been growing despite the economic instability that is facing the world today. We will have the opportunity to examine the strategy of Africa for today to ensure that there is a better tomorrow.” Watch the full interview below.

Ten African heads of state or government have confirmed their participation including Armando Emilio Guebuza, President of Mozambique; Ali-Ben Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon; Raila Amolo Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya; Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of Namibia; Morgan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe; Boni Yayi, President of Benin; Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Jacob G. Zuma, President of South Africa.

Programme of World Economic Summit on Africa

The 20^th World Economic Forum on Africa will kick off on May 5 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It is the first time that the World Economic Forum’s annual African regional meeting is held in East Africa.

Under the theme, “Rethinking Africa’s Growth Strategy." the meeting will provide leaders with a platform for how they are facing up to the challenge and using the crisis as an opportunity to redesign a sustainable roadmap for Africa’s future.

Key sessions listed below will be streamed live on Livestream, key quotes will be live tweeted on the Forum’s Twitter feed, and high resolution photos will be available for free download on Flickr. You can follow the official Twitter list of the participants attending the meeting.

Also check out the Davos Debates in Africa on YouTube where we want to hear your vision for Africa.

World Economic Forum on Africa 2010 to be held in Tanzania

Tanzania will host the 2010 World Economic Forum on Africa in Dar es Salaam from 5 to 7 May. This will be the 20th anniversary of the World Economic Forum on Africa, and it is also the first time that the Forum's Africa meeting will be held in East Africa.

 

President Kikwete of Tanzania welcomed the news, saying: “It is heartening to see the positive impact that the World Economic Forum has on key issues of global concern. This unique gathering regularly convenes a very diverse group of friends of the continent who are united in their optimism of what Africa can, must and will achieve.”

The World Economic Forum on Africa takes place over three days and is renowned for its informal style which aims to engender frank and open conversation among the most influential leaders with a stake in the region. The 2009 gathering was hosted in Cape Town by newly elected President Jacob Zuma of South Africa. For more please go to: http://www.weforum.org/en/events/ArchivedEvents/WorldEconomicForumonAfrica2009/index.htm

Jacob Zuma Joins the Davos Debates in Africa

South African President Jacob Zuma was one of the many leaders at the World Economic Forum on Africa to join the Davos Debates on YouTube. President Zuma replied to the question about the impact the FIFA World Cup 2010 will have on the entire continent.

Numerous participants at the meeting held in Cape Town from 10 - 12 June 2009 taped their answers to the question: "Will the whole of Africa benefit from the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa?" at a specially designed video corner at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Leaders say crisis represents opportunity as well as challenge for Africa

While sub-Saharan Africa has been less impacted by the global recession than most other emerging regions, the economic crisis still represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the continent and its people, political and business leaders told participants at the closing plenary session of this year’s World Economic Forum on Africa.

Summing up two days of intensive discussions and workshops that addressed the short-term economic outlook, as well as Africa’s longer-term development needs, key leaders took a relatively optimistic view. They said the continent’s resources – both human and physical – leave it well positioned to return to a rapid growth path, as long as governments move aggressively to deliver on their commitments to market reforms, political accountability and investment in infrastructure and education.

“I agree that Africa has many opportunities,” said Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa. “The challenge comes back to the leadership: Are we able to see those opportunities and are we able to utilize the appropriate structures to take advantage of them.”

Read more about the World Economic Forum on Africa 2009 which ran from 10-12 June

Closing Africa's gender gaps for real growth

A growing weight of academic research strongly suggests that investing in adolescent girls – by ensuring equal access to education, technology, employment and political participation – is one of the most cost-effective tools for reducing poverty in lesser developed countries. Yet, governments in many countries, as well as the global donor community, have been relatively slow to change their social and budgetary priorities accordingly.

In a World Economic Forum on Africa session dedicated to this issue, Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum, noted the Forum’s recent efforts to document the progress – or lack of it – in eliminating this aspect of the gender gap.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director, World Bank, Washington DC; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa, said the bank’s studies show that the economic gains from secondary and university education for girls are even higher than from primary schooling. For every year of secondary school attended, average wages for girls increase by 10 to 20%, even higher than the 5 to 15% wage gains seen for boys. “If you can catch them before some critical life decisions are made, it can have an enormously positive effect on themselves, their families and their nations.”

Colin Coleman, Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking, Sub-Saharan Africa, Goldman Sachs, South Africa, reviewed highlights from a research report -- entitled Woman Hold Up Half the Sky – issued by his bank last year. Among the key findings: Education greatly increases the likelihood that girls will work outside the home, dramatically improves the wages of those who find employment and results in lower rates of child mortality, HIV infection and other diseases. This makes education for girls a powerful driver of long-term economic growth.

Graça Machel, Founder and President, Foundation for Community Development (FDC), Mozambique; Co-Chair, Global Agenda Council on the Future of Africa, argued strongly that the most critical need is not for increased funding or political commitment, but a fundamental change in traditional cultural attitudes, which frequently place a greater value on boys. “This is one of the most fundamental reforms we can make on this continent – to dismantle this belief,” Machel said.

Read the full summary of the session

FIFA World Cup 2010: Building a legacy for Africa

Very interesting World Economic Forum on Africa 2009 session on the FIFA World Cup 2010 which kicks off in exactly one year from now. Watch it on http://www.weforum.org/africa2009/webcasts. Here's the line up of panellists:

Abedi Pele Ayew, Head Coach and President, Nania Football Club, Ghana; Jane Carter, Director, Coaching for Hope, United Kingdom; Michael Jordaan, CEO, First National Bank of Southern Africa, South Africa; Daniel Alexander Jordaan, CEO, 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee, South Africa; Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe, Deputy President of South Africa; Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape Province, South Africa.

Jacob Zuma kicked off the countdown to the World Cup 2010 on a tour of Green Point Stadium in Cape Town exactly 365 days before the kick-off.

Also join the Davos Debates in Africa and answer the question leaders at the World Economic Forum on Africa 2009 are answering: Will the whole of Africa benefit from the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa?