*This event is private and by invitation only. For further details, please email theafricadebate@investafrica.com

Thursday 6 June - Programme

09:30 | Welcome Remarks

  • Rt Hon Mark Simmonds, Chairman, Advisory Board, Invest Africa

  • Karen Taylor, Executive Chair, Invest Africa

09:45 I Keynote Address: African Head of State

10:15 | Fireside Chat: Investing in Africa – Navigating Risk and Reward

Africa’s investment outlook is showing gradual improvement after a turbulent period, with growth projected to reach about 4% in 2024. Still, despite positive signals, including stabilised public debt ratios and significantly reduced inflation, challenges persist – from funding shortages to high borrowing costs. In this session, speakers will delve into these challenges and opportunities associated with investing in Africa, deconstructing investment-inhibiting views on risk, reward, and return across Africa.

  • Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank Group

  • The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Deputy Foreign Secretary and Minister of State (Development & Africa), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

  • Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO, Africa Finance Corporation

10:45 | Debate: Taking Stock of Africa’s Economic Outlook

Despite steering clear of severe market turbulence amid post-pandemic challenges and geopolitical shifts, Africa faces a complex economic landscape in 2024. Growth prospects are subdued by instability, lacklustre performance in major economies, and a backdrop of global economic uncertainty. In 2023, economic growth on the continent decelerated to 2.5%, and while a modest improvement is forecast at about 4% in 2024, it remains below pre-pandemic growth levels. The shadow of debt also looms large, with many countries grappling with high external debt risk or already entrenched in debt-related issues. Still, glimmers of optimism are apparent: inflation is expected to recede, and prudent macroeconomic policies are bolstering fiscal balances in key markets. In this session, speakers will take stock of Africa's economic outlook, discussing and debating key trends and opportunities that investors need to consider in 2024 and beyond.

  • Marie Diron, Managing Director & Global Head of Sovereign & Sub-Sovereign Risk, Moody’s Ratings

  • Gagan Gupta, Co-Founder, ARISE Group

  • Sarmad Lone, Head of Banking & Coverage, Middle East, Pakistan & Africa, Standard Chartered

  • Babatunde Soyoye, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Helios Investment Partners

  • Admassu Tadesse, Group President & Managing Director, Trade and Development Bank

  • Rishi Ramesh Kansagra, Chairman, Lagata (UK) (moderator)

11:30 | Networking Break

12:00 | Fireside Chat: Realising a Climate-Resilient and Prosperous Africa

Africa is experiencing a decline of 5% to 15% in its per capita economic growth due to the impacts of climate change. The continent also faces considerable risks of decreased agricultural productivity, with potential losses of up to 2.9% by 2030 and 18% by mid-century, as indicated by the Center for Global Development. And yet, despite these formidable challenges, Africa receives only a fraction of global climate finance flows, with a shortfall that severely hampers the continent's capacity to adapt, mitigate, and bolster resilience against climate change's adverse effects. In this session, speakers will explore strategies to concurrently foster resilience and propel growth amidst the climate crisis, highlighting tools such as carbon taxation and the promotion of sustainable supply chains, as well as broader ways in which the trade, investment and climate agenda can be aligned on the continent to realise a climate-resilient and prosperous Africa.

  • Dr Vera Songwe, Former Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa; Founder and Chair, Liquidity and Sustainability Facility

  • Diana Layfield, Chair, British International Investment

12:30 I Debate: Africa’s Role in the Global Energy Transition

As the world grapples with the climate crisis, Africa has emerged as a key player in shaping the global energy transition. With abundant reserves of critical minerals like cobalt, essential for electric vehicle batteries, and a wealth of solar resources, the continent holds immense clean energy potential. However, a stark reality persists: Africa receives a mere 2% of global clean energy investments, and the processing of its transition metals is largely outsourced, depriving the continent of its rightful benefits.  In this session, speakers will discuss and debate Africa’s role in the global energy transition, the geopolitics of clean energy supply chains, and how the continent can strengthen its presence along the value chain and build downstream capacity.

  • Laura Blanco Toro, Global Head of ESG, Xcalibur Smart Mapping

  • Amadou Hott, Former Senegalese Minister of Economy; Special Envoy for the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa, African Development Bank Group

  • Mohamed Ismail Mansour, Chairman, Infinity Power

  • Akinwole Omoboriowo II, Chairman and CEO, Genesis Energy Group

  • Sameh Shenouda, Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer, Africa Finance Corporation

13:15 | Expert Insights: Building a Responsible Business in the DRC

Monique Gieskes, Chief Executive Officer of Plantations et Huileries du Congo, will share her journey in cultivating a socially responsible and sustainable business in the DRC, touching on new policies and initiatives undertaken to foster success that extends beyond profit margins – contributing positively to local communities.

  • Monique Gieskes, Chief Executive Officer, Plantations et Huileries du Congo

13:30 I Networking Lunch

14:30 I Fireside Chat: Idris Elba in Conversation with Zeinab Badawi

Idris will share his insights on the need for strategic and sustainable investment across Africa, touching on the eco-friendly smart city he is building off the coast of Sierra Leone, his cutting-edge film studio taking shape in Tanzania, and broader efforts to drive sustainable development on the continent.

  • Idris Elba, Actor, Filmmaker, Musician, Entrepreneur, and Activist

  • Zeinab Badawi, Award-winning Broadcaster, Journalist, and Filmmaker; President of SOAS, University of London

15:00 | Fireside Chat: How ESG Can Unlock Sustainable Investment for Africa

While the concept of socially responsible investment traces back decades, it was often perceived merely as extra expenses without tangible benefits for profit-oriented investors. However, amidst shifting social attitudes catalysed by a more socially- and environmentally-conscious generation, business leaders now recognise environmental stewardship, equitable labour practices, work-life balance, and governance as crucial components of risk management and business viability. Similarly, investors are increasingly evaluating environmental and social performance as indicators of sustained corporate value, reflecting a broader shift towards responsible and sustainable investment practices. In this session, speakers will discuss and debate how ESG can unlock sustainable investment for Africa.

  • Cherie Blair CBE, KC, Co-Founder and Chair, Omnia Strategy

  • Runa Alam, Co-Founder and CEO, Development Partners International

15:20 | Debate: Driving Growth – Capital Flows into African Markets

While Africa is often lauded for its massive investment potential and labelled the last frontier for global growth, the continent continues to be overlooked by investors. In a global financial landscape with over $10 trillion in negative yield bonds and private equity funds holding nearly one trillion dollars in dry powder, investors are seeking new markets for sustainable returns. Africa's demographically dynamic profile and consistent growth of 4.5 to 5 percent over two decades present an enticing, yet untapped, opportunity. However, private capital flows continue to be concentrated, hampered by a lingering and often inflated perception of risk. In this session, speakers will discuss and debate the intricacies of luring private capital to African markets, exploring strategies for local capital market development, responsible investment approaches, and the creation of innovative financial instruments.

  • Abi Ajayi, Head of Primary Markets – Middle East and Africa, London Stock Exchange Group

  • Simon Huckle, Senior Vice President; Head of Emerging Market Financial Institutions, Crown Agents Bank

  • Dr Federico Galizia, Vice President, Risk and Finance, International Finance Corporation

  • Charles Russon, Chief Executive Officer, Corporate and Investment Banking, Absa Group

  • Runa Alam, Co-Founding Partner and CEO, Development Partners International (moderator)

16:00 | Networking Break

16:15 | Expert Insights: Employment Outsourcing – An Enabler for Market Expansion and Growth in Africa  

This session will cover the fast-growing Employer of Record (EOR) market, with a particular focus on how multinationals, international development organisations and global NGOs are leveraging the EOR solution in Africa to effectively manage an increasingly distributed workforce across the continent. The benefits of the EOR solution will be explained, including how it supports market expansion and empowers service delivery by knowledge workers across the continent. Key trends and insights from Africa’s largest provider of EOR services will also be shared.

  • Edan Latzelsberger, Managing Director, Africa HR Solutions

16:30 | Debate: AI on the Rise – Exploring the Opportunities and Risks in Africa

Africa’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem may be small, but it is growing quickly. From assisting cashew farmers in Ghana to optimising solar panels in Namibia and enhancing healthcare delivery in Rwanda, AI is already proving transformative. Investment into the sector is also gaining momentum as the global AI market is predicted to skyrocket from $387 billion in 2022 to a projected $1,394 billion by 2029, boasting a compelling CAGR of 20%. The promise of AI in Africa is not without perils, however. The continent’s persistent infrastructure constraints, from power grid deficits to limited internet connectivity, present challenges, while AI is also being deployed for negative purposes, including autonomous weapons systems and surveillance platforms in armed conflicts. In this session, speakers will discuss and debate the promise and perils of AI in Africa, analysing investment opportunities, risks, ethical and security challenges, and the African Union’s draft Continental AI Strategy.

  • Karim Beguir, Co-Founder and CEO, InstaDeep

  • Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Africa, Google

  • Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group CEO, Cassava Technologies

17:15 | Spotlight on Morocco

17:30 | Close

  • Chantelé Carrington, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Africa

18:00 | Networking Reception

  • Sithembile Ntombela, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Brand South Africa

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