Wednesday November 14, 2007

 Golf Tournament at Erinvale Golf Club
 Opening Gala Dinner - Theme : "Exploring the Possibilities"

Thursday November 15, 2007

Plenary One

“What Can Be Done To Increase Sustainable U.S. Investment in Africa ?" A Dialogue Between African Heads of State and Business Leaders

 Speakers
 H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba, President, Republic of Namibia
 The Honorable Robert Mosbacher, Jr., President, OPIC
 Mr. Stephen Cashin, CEO, Pan African Capital Group
 Mr. Geoffrey White, CEO, Lonrho PLC
 Dr. Simo Lushaba, Chairman, Empowered Growth Partners

The U.S. continues to be Africa’s leading single country trade partner, with a combined trade relationship of approximately $70 billion in 2006. For the past five years, U.S.-Africa total trade has been progressively increasing, this status quo, however, is set to change dramatically in the near future. Top challengers for investment opportunities in Africa include China, India, South Africa, Russia, and the European Union countries, all of which are enhancing their investment growth strategies for the continent. Recently, U.S. investors have been cautious about expanding their investments in Africa, partly due to past experiences or general risk averseness. An overwhelming majority of African countries, including those represented on this panel, are effectively reshaping themselves as secure and attractive markets for capital and labor intensive investments. Real investment opportunities exist in mining, infrastructure development, aviation, agric-processing, power/energy, and tourism among numerous other sectors. This distinguished panel will address the foremost challenges and opportunities for propelling and sustaining U.S. investment in Africa.

Plenary Two

 Investing in Africa : The Chinese and U.S. Perspectives

 Speakers
 Mr. Iqbal Sharma, Deputy Director General (Acting), Dept. of Trade and Industry, Republic of South Africa
 The Honorable Thomas Pickering, Consultant to The Boeing Company , former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
 Professor Yang Guang, Director General, Institute of West-Asian and African Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
 Mr. Sindiso Ngwenya, Assistant Secretary General, COMESA

China is significantly expanding its economic strategic partnership with Africa. From energy (oil), to infrastructure (roads and rail), telecommunications, mining, textiles and apparel sectors, the growth of China’s influence in Africa is dramatic. In 2005, China became the largest single country exporter to Sub-Saharan Africa, with $13.4 billion in exports to the region. Chinese economic strategists believe China’s development model resonates powerfully with African counterparts, thereby having a positive impact on Africa’s development in comparison with the West.

Opposing arguments suggest that China’s rampant growth in fact has a number of adverse trade-offs, including the flooding of markets with inferior products and ineffective skills transfer. At the same time, U.S. businesses are charged with not being aggressive enough in African markets, thereby leaving the playing field open to competition from China. This distinguished panel will weigh different perspectives of this debate, while contributing constructive feedback on avenues for China-Africa-U.S. trilateral dialogue and collaboration in support of Africa’s growth objectives.

Friday November 16, 2007

Plenary Three

 Financing Investment in Africa

 Speakers
 H.E. Ramakrishna Sithanen, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance & Economic Planning, Republic of Mauritius
 H.E. Mandisi Mpahlwa, Minister of Trade and Industry, Republic of South Africa
 The Honorable J. Joseph Grandmaison, Member, Board of Directors, U.S. Export-Import Bank
 Mr. Arnold Ekpe, CEO, Ecobank Transnational Inc
 Mr. Ndewirwa. N. Kitomari, CEO, SVM Financial Services

Domestic and foreign investment rates in African countries remain lower than in other developing countries. A convergence of factors such as the inability of local African lenders to provide substantial long-term financing, and the hesitation of international financiers to provide funding due to the perception of non-repayment risk have led to the creation of numerous mechanisms for developing and financing long-term projects and general investments. Private capital, BOOT (build, own, operate, and transfer) and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) are a few models of project financing that you will find employed in Africa today.

The IFC’s Doing Business Report has recognized many African countries as top reformers in business regulatory environments. Due to these developments, and partly fueled by funds with surplus capital from commodity price increases, Africa received a record high $39 billion in foreign domestic investment (FDI) in 2006. Key growth sectors where these new financing models are being employed include power (oil and gas, and electricity), telecommunications, and transportation infrastructure. Panelists will discuss the evolving financing landscape in Africa, the availability of strong local partners, and the many challenges and opportunities they face on the continent. In addition, panelists will address specific opportunities for U.S. companies and organizations to increase their lending activities in Africa.

Plenary Four

 Ensuring a Healthier Future for Africa : What Can Business and Government Do ? A Dialogue among American Private Sector Health Advocates and African Decision Makers

 Speakers
 Honorable Brigadier General dr. Brian Chituwo, MP, Minister of Health, Zambia
 Mr. Alex Cummings, President for Africa & Middle East, Coca Cola Mr. Ebenezer Omatsola Kpiasi, Medical Director, Nigeria & Mid-Africa, Chevron
 Dr. Robin Gorna, DFID, Global AIDS Policy Team Leader

The plenary session will be a dialogue among American private sector and African and international decision makers on the current and future impact of health on business from an economic development and productivity standpoint. Ill health, particularly HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, are having a significant impact on business and economic growth in Africa. What strategies are businesses and governments engaging in to mitigate the impact on business ? What are the responsibilities of business and government in addressing the broader societal implications of disease beyond their workforces ? What is the responsibility of business vs. government in improving access to health care and health outcomes of citizens ?

Plenary Five

 The Role of Stock Markets in the Future of Africa

 Speakers
 Mr. Maged Shawky Sourial, Chairman, Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange
 Mr. Ekow Afedzie, General Manager, Ghana Stock Exchange

This plenary will examine the importance of capital markets for African growth and development and offer some suggestions as to how to achieve the benefits of a stock exchange without necessarily incurring all the costs.

 Plenary Six

 U.S.-Africa Energy Cooperation : The Future in the Oil, Gas and Power Sectors

 Speakers
 H.E. Yoweri Museveni, President, Republic of Uganda
 H.E. Marc Ravalomanana, President, Republic of Madagascar
 Ms. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for Africa, The World Bank
 Mr. Ferdinando Beccalli-Falco, President & CEO, GE International
 Mr. Andrew Fawthrop, VP for Nigeria, Chevron

Energy (oil and gas) continues to account for the bulk of U.S.-Africa trade. Key African producers including Nigeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and Chad are expected to supply approximately 20 percent of U.S. energy requirements by 2015. The commodity price boom, combined with macroeconomic reform policies in many African countries, is fostering historic economic growth rates that will require dramatically increased power generation. U.S. investors have made substantial capital-intensive investments in the oil sector in Africa, and are leaders in implementing off-shore technology in the Gulf of Guinea.

This partnership is changing with the entry of Asian competitors, who are more willing to invest in the downstream sector that is crucial to the development of domestic power production. Severe power shortages in many African countries offer opportunities for new U.S. investment in that sector. To attract that investment, African countries need to create sound cross-border regional collaboration, implement clear legal and regulatory frameworks, and balance economic growth policies with social and environmental concerns. This distinguished panel will address the foremost challenges and opportunities for increasing U.S. investment in energy and power in Africa.

 Closing Gala Dinner

 Speakers
 The Honorable Henry M. Paulson Jr., US Secretary of Treasury
 H.E. Yoweri Museveni, President, Republic of Uganda. Source : Summit.

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