The event, taking place on 31 October in Dubai, will serve as a platform to explore and capitalise on the burgeoning opportunities along the UAE- and broader Gulf-Africa trade and investment corridor

The UAE is already the fourth-largest investor in Africa, and we are excited to work with the government to bolster commercial ties across the continent at this critical time

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, August 6, 2024/APO Group/ —

Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com), a business network promoting trade and investment in Africa, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates to host The Africa Debate-UAE (https://TheAfricaDebate.com/UAE). The event, taking place on 31 October in Dubai, will serve as a platform to explore and capitalise on the burgeoning opportunities along the UAE- and broader Gulf-Africa trade and investment corridor.

Following ten successful editions of The Africa Debate in London, Invest Africa is excited to take the conference to the UAE – the largest investor in Africa among the GCC states. This year’s programme will spotlight investment opportunities along the UAE- and broader Gulf-Africa trade and investment corridor, featuring sessions on financial services, logistics and supply chain optimisation, energy and infrastructure, and ICT and digital transformation. The event will bring together global businesses, private and public investment bodies, thought leaders, and policymakers for a series of insightful debates on UAE-Africa relations in 2024 and beyond.

Chantelé Carrington, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Africa said: “Our partnership with The Ministry of Economy – UAE is a testament to our commitment to facilitating meaningful business connections and fostering two-way trade and investment between the UAE and Africa. The Africa Debate – UAE will not only spotlight investment opportunities but also provide a robust platform for dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders. The UAE is already the fourth-largest investor in Africa, and we are excited to work with the government to bolster commercial ties across the continent at this critical time in Africa’s growth story.”

H.E. Juma Alkait, Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs, Ministry of Economy – UAE said: “The UAE has long recognised the strategic importance of Africa as a key trade and investment partner. By collaborating with Invest Africa, we aim to deepen our engagement with African markets and explore new avenues for economic cooperation. The Africa Debate has already established itself as a premier platform for promoting Africa-forward initiatives and investment, and we are excited to bring this prestigious event to Dubai. We look forward to welcoming 300+ vetted industry leaders to advance UAE-Africa partnerships and drive mutual growth.”

The conference will feature a series of breakout sessions focusing on:

• Financial Services
• Logistics and Supply Chain Optimisation
• Energy and Infrastructure
• ICT and Digital Transformation

As global businesses, investors, and policymakers converge in Dubai, The Africa Debate – UAE will serve as a crucial nexus for those seeking to engage in trade and investment along the UAE- and broader Gulf-Africa corridor.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

The aim is to provide the country with an industrial hub for processing agricultural products and establish a business zone to offer opportunities to young people and women in the Kara and Savanes regions

As well as consolidating the achievements of the first phase of the project, it was essential to support the structure of the Togo Agro-Food Processing Zone Project (Togo Agropole)

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, August 5, 2024/APO Group/ —

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) have approved a loan of US $26.55 million to Togo to implement the second phase of the Agro-Food Processing Zone Project.

The aim is to provide the country with an industrial hub for processing agricultural products and establish a business zone to offer opportunities to young people and women in the Kara and Savanes regions, in the north and far north of the country, respectively.

The project, approved in Abidjan on 19 July 2024, will also help to attract a significant level of private investment into key agricultural sectors, such as rice, maize, soya, sesame, cashew nuts and broiler chickens.

The funds come from the Transition Support Facility, an African Development Bank Group mechanism aimed at countries in transition, and will support investments that encourage inclusive agricultural growth that creates jobs and reduces food imports into the small West African country located on the  Atlantic Ocean.

“As well as consolidating the achievements of the first phase of the project, it was essential to support the structure of the Togo Agro-Food Processing Zone Project (Togo Agropole) with a second phase. This will focus on the construction and operationalization of the agro-industrial park (the central hub), including building a network of infrastructure (various roads and networks, administrative buildings, electrification, water and fibre optics) to create the right conditions for establishing private businesses,” said Wilfrid Abiola, the African Development Bank’s Country Manager in Togo.

Among others, the project will support the creation and operationalization of the company that will manage the agro-park and the construction of an agro-industrial park in Broukou (in Doufelgou prefecture, in the north of the country) by opening roads, developing electricity and street lighting networks, and building an administrative, financial, civil protection and access control centre.

The project will also fund the purchase of small agricultural equipment for vegetable-growing plots, particularly for women. The plan is also to build the capacity of agricultural producers, including women, in production, processing, storage and marketing to help them find markets and sell agricultural products. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

The GABI Conversations have highlighted the immense potential of digital technologies and AI for Africa, and we must continue to drive these efforts forward collaboratively

Digital transformation is not just a pathway to economic growth but a vital component for sustainable development in Africa

KIGALI, Rwanda, August 5, 2024/APO Group/ —

Digital skills in Africa need to be developed to promote economic growth and development. Additionally, a conducive environment needs to be established where these skills can thrive. This involves implementing comprehensive strategies that include infrastructure, policy support, and ecosystem development. This is one of the key highlights emerging from a recent report issued by the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) (www.GABI.unglobalcompact.org/). GABI is a solution-oriented global platform connecting leaders from all over the world to drive and invest in the unstoppable opportunity of Africa’s economic growth.

The report, titled ‘GABI Conversations’, captures the essence of the UN Global Compact roundtable discussions held on the sidelines of the 2024 Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda. Under the theme of ‘Digital Transformation’, this exclusive gathering in May 2024 brought together prominent African CEOs, representatives from global and African businesses, government officials, and key stakeholders in the digital sector to engage in targeted, solution-oriented conversations aimed at driving investment and growth on the African continent.

“Digital transformation is not just a pathway to economic growth but a vital component for sustainable development in Africa. By investing in infrastructure, fostering policy support, and empowering our entrepreneurs and workforce, we can create an environment where digital skills thrive. The GABI Conversations have highlighted the immense potential of digital technologies and AI for Africa, and we must continue to drive these efforts forward collaboratively. Together, we can ensure that Africa not only participates in the digital economy but leads it,” said Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact.

Africa’s digital economy is projected to reach (http://apo-opa.co/3WzSY7j) $180 billion by 2025, and $712 billion by 2050. This growth is fueled by a vibrant innovation ecosystem in industries like mobile financial services, telemedicine, and e-commerce.

The demand for digital skills training in Africa is also expected to surge in the coming decade as jobs that previously did not require digital skills will begin to do so.

It’s estimated that some 230 million jobs across Africa will require some level of digital skills by 2030 (http://apo-opa.co/4dvOwxn). This translates to a potential for 650 million training opportunities.

The event featured a series of panels and fireside chats that delved into critical discussions on the solutions needed to drive Africa’s economic growth. Key conversations focused on bridging the digital divide by providing skills, infrastructure, finance, and other opportunities. Key topics covered included AI governance, technology and the supply chain, the digital economy, upskilling of the future workforce, data centers, and digital infrastructure, among others.

Speakers at the event included H.E. Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Former Vice President of Nigeria and Guardian of the Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation, H.E. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation for the Republic of Rwanda, and Mr. Alex Okosi, CEO of Google Africa representing the GABI Circle. The discussions were moderated by Dr. Acha Leke, Chairman of McKinsey Africa, and hosted by Mr. Ozonnia Ojielo, the UN Resident Coordinator to Rwanda.

Key Conversations Insights

The significance of multi-stakeholder collaboration was emphasized by participants, highlighting the essential need for cooperation between governments, private sector entities, and other stakeholders to accelerate digital transformation. This collaborative strategy is essential for overcoming obstacles and amplifying the effect of digital initiatives. Emphasis was placed on the necessity of cultivating a highly skilled workforce, described as an ‘army’ of digital professionals, to advance the digital agenda.

It was stressed that AI has immense potential for the future of Africa. However, the continent must develop the necessary infrastructure to support AI technologies.

Additionally, it was emphasized that for Africa to benefit from digital transformation, it is essential to establish data centers on the continent. The presence of data centers in only a few African countries hampers progress. It was also stated that data centers must be financially viable and sustainable to bolster digital transformation.

To ensure individuals can effectively participate in and benefit from the digital economy, the discussions stressed the critical need for comprehensive capacity-building initiatives. One of the key highlights was the call for successful entrepreneurs to establish funds dedicated to supporting emerging entrepreneurs, thereby expanding and strengthening the digital economy.

Key Recommendations

The GABI Conversations highlighted the immense potential of digital technologies and AI for transforming Africa. To unlock this potential, it is vital to bridge infrastructure gaps, cultivate collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and empower individuals and entrepreneurs. Creating an enabling environment and making strategic investments in digital infrastructure are essential steps for Africa to achieve a prosperous digital future.

The key recommendations from the conversations include GABI establishing itself as a leading advocate for AI in Africa from 2025 onwards, with a focus on promoting the necessary infrastructure for AI technologies. Additionally, it was recommended to leverage the GABI platform to build on the initiatives of the UN Secretary-General’s AI Advisory Body, adapting the report’s outcomes to the specific needs of Africa.

Lastly, the recommendations emphasized the importance of using the GABI platform to engage with African governments and policymakers to advocate for the creation of legal and regulatory frameworks and policies supporting AI development.

Following the success of GABI Conversations, the UN Global Compact further engaged with business leaders at the African Union mid-year coordination meeting in Accra, Ghana. These events serve as a prelude to the 25 and 26 September 2024 ‘Unstoppable Africa’ event in New York during the UN General Assembly week. The insights and recommendations from these conversations will feed into the broader agenda of ‘Unstoppable Africa’ and inform GABI’s strategic programming and partnerships for 2025.

Under the leadership of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, GABI aims to reposition Africa as a business destination and opportunity for investment on the global stage while also contributing towards the African Union Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Interested participants can now register (http://apo-opa.co/3A5Dq3G) to request for an invitation to attend the Unstoppable Africa 2024 event in New York on 25-26 September. For more information on the Global Africa Business Initiative, please visit the website (www.GABI.unglobalcompact.org/). 

Download the GABI Conversations report here (https://apo-opa.co/4dyfAfB) and watch the highlights video of the event here (https://apo-opa.co/4dbAxwS) to explore these insights and gain actionable strategies for driving Africa’s digital transformation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Global Africa Business Initiative.