U.S.-AFRICA BUSINESS FORUM Africa is the world’s next great economic success story. With growth expected to reach above five percent in 2015, the continent is now home to six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world. Real income has increased more than 30 percent over the last 10 years. According to the African Development Bank, the middle class in Africa has tripled over the past three decades to 355 million or more than 34 percent of the population. By 2040, Africa will have a larger workforce than China. Last year at the University of Cape Town, President Obama declared a “new chapter in U.S.-Africa relations.” By bringing together top business executives with African heads of state, this Forum seeks to forge strong business relationships, increase market activity between the U.S. and African countries, debate economic policy challenges and opportunities—and ensure this new chapter unfolds with maximum social and economic benefit for all. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bloomberg Philanthropies, the U.S.-Africa Business Forum seeks to create a new platform to promote trade, accelerate job growth, and encourage investment across the continent. 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM - LEADERS BREAKFAST The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. & Bloomberg Philanthropies and 108th Mayor of New York City & The Honorable Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Commerce of the United States & Distinguished Speakers and Forum Participants 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM - WELCOME REMARKS WELCOME REMARKS The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. & Bloomberg Philanthropies and 108th Mayor of New York City WELCOME REMARKS The Honorable Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Commerce of the United States 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM - MODERATED SESSION 1 Expanding Opportunities: The New Era For Business In Africa Foreign investment in African economies will reach a record $80 billion in 2014 with many U.S. companies leading the way. American companies continue to partner with their African counterparts to drive growth, yet significant business and financial opportunities remain untapped. This session explores the future of U.S.-African partnerships and identifies new ways to strengthen business ties and enable greater economic progress. Welcoming the panel Ashish J. Thakkar, Founder and Managing Director, Mara Group Moderator The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton, Founder of the Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States. Speakers • Aliko Dangote, President and CEO, Dangote Group • Jeff Immelt, CEO, General Electric • Andrew N. Liveris, President, Chairman & CEO, The Dow Chemical Company • Phuti Mahanyele, CEO, Shanduka Group • Doug McMillon, President and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM - NETWORKING BREAK 10:15 AM – 10:20 AM - REMARKS Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission 10:20 AM – 11:05 AM - MODERATED SESSION 2 Open Markets: Financing The Africa Of Tomorrow Private equity, long-term lending, and healthy capital markets are vital to the success of Africa, which is now home to a strong and growing financial services sector. This session highlights the trends guiding successful governance in African countries and uncovers ways to reduce real risks, strengthen investor confidence and increase the availability of U.S. capital to U.S. and African firms partnering on the continent. Welcoming the panel The Honorable Jacob J. Lew, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States Moderator Donald Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank Speakers • Ajay Banga, President and CEO, MasterCard • Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings Limited • James Mwangi, CEO, Equity Bank Group • David Rubenstein, CEO, The Carlyle Group • Sim Tshabalala, Joint Chief Executive, Standard Bank • Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair, Mo Ibrahim Foundation 11:05 AM – 11:50 AM - MODERATED SESSION 3 Powering Africa: Leading Developments In Infrastructure Under-investment and lack of development in Africa’s critical infrastructure continues to threaten the continent’s dynamic growth. Addressing Africa’s infrastructure gap will require vast technical expertise, significant financing, and a commitment to making the reforms necessary to attract private sector investment. This session explores the public-private partnerships, technological innovations, and financing tools that are transforming energy, transport, and digital infrastructure in Africa. Welcoming the panel Dr. Jim Yong Kim, President, World Bank Group Moderator The Honorable Susan Rice, Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor Speakers • Muhtar Kent, Chairman of the Board and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company • Tshepo Mahloele, CEO, Harith Fund Managers • Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Chairman, Econet Wireless • Virginia Rometty, Chairman, President and CEO, IBM • Stephen Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder, Blackstone 11:50 AM – 12:05 PM - BREAK 12:05 PM – 1:30 PM - INTERACTIVE LUNCH 1:30 PM – 1:45 PM - BREAK 1:45 PM – 1:50 PM - REMARKS The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Vice President of the United States 1:50 PM – 2:35 PM - MODERATED SESSION 4 Game Plan: Shaping The Future Of A Fast-Growing Continent How are African leaders planning for the next decade of growth? This session features African heads of state in conversation about the most important issues confronting their regions at a time of unprecedented economic opportunity. The assembled leaders, representing the continent’s five regions, will discuss the policies that enable economic growth, good governance, strategic investments, intelligent infrastructure, and successful public private partnerships—now and in the years ahead. Welcoming the panel The Honorable John F. Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States Moderator Charlie Rose Speakers • His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda • His Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal • Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa • His Excellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania • His Excellency Mohamed Moncef Marzouki, President of the Republic of Tunisia 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM - CLOSING REMARKS The Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States Introduced by The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. & Bloomberg Philanthropies and 108th Mayor of New York City 3:30 PM - FORUM CONCLUDES 3:30 PM – 4:30 PMLEADERS NETWORKING RECEPTION
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 10:19:37 +0000
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