Program
The investor’s paradise - Agriculture:
In terms of returns to capital, the agricultural sector in Africa is immensely attractive. In a global capital market, capital will flow to any part of the world where the highest returns are guaranteed. Right now, at least for Agriculture, that place is Africa.
Due to rapidly expanding markets such as China and India, there has been an increase in the demand for food. This trend which has caused food price inflation in the last three years is expected to continue in tandem with economic growth. Therefore, there is an ever growing supply gap that must be plugged. To investors, the supply gap presents itself as a HUGE opportunity for a good return on investment. For governments on the other hand, food security is crucial because high food prices leads to political instability and social unrest.
Yet another opportunity to invest in Agriculture in Africa is the issue of underutilization of resources. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) only 14% of the continents 184 million hectares of arable land are under cultivation. Agriculture also accounts for 17% of GDP and 57% employment.
A special presentation and Panel is scheduled for opening day of the convention – Feb 12th, 2011. Panel includes worldwide renowned experts in Agro-industry as well as investors from United Arab Emirates, Canada, and the United States.
Banking and Finance
Opportunities and Challenges of Funding Africa's Growth:
The Banking & Finance industry across Africa is considered one of the fastest growing businesses in the continent earning billions of dollars every year. The private and public sector’s strategic relations with the banking industry have made this industry the top wining venture of all.
Executives from the Banking industry across Africa will be attending the 2-day convention highlighting the vast opportunity Banking and Financial sector offers to investors.
Some of the world’s leading financial experts, bankers, and entrepreneurs will attend a special session of “Opportunities & Challenges in investing in Africa” panel.
Energy:
Top Executives from Petroleum and Renewable Energy will attend the convention highlighting an ever growing investment opportunity in the energy industry throughout the African continent.
Also attending the 2-day convention will be investors from the United States, Canada, and the United Emirates looking to form strategic business relations.
Telecom:
Africa has become the world’s fastest growing user in telecommunications; with over a billion people and a developing telecom infrastructure, investing in Telecommunication has become a win-win goal to all parties. Africa’s top telecom executives will be joined by investors from the United States, UAE, and Canada to discuss strategic business relations and partnerships. A special panel on “investing in Telecom” will take place in the 2nd day of the convention (Feb. 13th, 2011).
Travel & Tourism:
The travel & tourism industry in Africa is a vital part of the continent’s economic stimulus for job growth and investment. Executives from the travel and tourism industry, both from throughout Africa and the United States will attend the convention. A special panel will also take place highlighting the following:
Panel One: Airline Industry - The ever growing demand for affordable/reliable airline routes and airport infrastructure improvements
Panel Two - Hotel and Lodge Industry – the demand for infrastructure improvements and investment potential
Panel Three - Marketing Strategies – emphasizing strategic increase of tourist arrivals and enhancing capacity development of the travel and tourism industry in Africa.
The Infrastructure Development Panel:
African a Booming continent in Infrastructure Development - from Energy to Transport, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Trans-boundary Water Resources.
The Panel is designed to address the superb opportunities in investing in Infrastructure Development through out the continent and to create a strategic and mutually beneficial long-term partnership between the African Business Leaders in the field of Infrastructure Development and their counter partner through out the United States.
Africa’s infrastructure development is a multi-billion dollars venture; countries such as China and India are currently engaged in various parts in development.
