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World Economic Forum Africa Set For June 3-5 In Cape Town

World Economic Forum Africa Set For June 3-5 In Cape Town

From IndependentOnline. Story by Jabulile S. Ngwenya.

The 25th World Economic Forum on Africa takes place in Cape Town from June 3-5 and is set to be the largest in history with 1,250 delegates representing more than 75 countries.

First held in 1990, the WEF brings together leaders in business, politics, academia and civil society to discuss Africa’s role on the global stage. This year’s them is “Then and Now: Reimagining Africa’s Future.”

Elsie Kanza, WEF head of Africa, said in a statement on Friday, “The occasion of our 25th meeting allows us an opportunity to see how far Africa has come economically, socially and politically since 1990. However, what this meeting is really about is looking forward, to see how we can channel the lessons of the past with the creativity, innovation and resourcefulness that comes from all stakeholders working together to solve Africa’s challenges in the present and future.”

The WEF meeting takes place at a time when Africa is fast becoming attractive to international investors, with seven of the world’s fastest growing economies being in Africa. According to the WEF on Africa program, there is a great deal of potential within the continent for dynamic economic growth, with the continent’s growth projected to remain stable at 4.5 percent during 2015.

South African President Jacob Zuma and Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President Elect Yemi Osinbajo of Nigeria  are expected to speak at a discussion on poverty and inequality. Africa is home to the world’s youngest demographic. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, the number of young people of working age is expected to reach 1 billion by 2040, ahead of China and India.

Debates at the forum will include “Enabling Markets, Marshaling Resources and Inspiring Creativity.”

Attendees include 270 female leaders — the forum’s largest contingent of female leaders to date– along with representatives from more than 83 leading international companies, 200 young leaders and 90 senior government officials.

Sessions will address issues important to Africa and the world including migration, combating terrorism and how best to harness Africa’s informal economy.

The three-day forum will include community conversations, a series of public debates based on the popular Davos Open Forum format aimed at encouraging young people in the host city to engage with leaders on themes of entrepreneurship and leadership.

For the first time, WEF Africa will also host live press conferences and briefings aimed at enabling public engagement with the forum on important conversations around Africa’s future growth and sustainability.

The forum will be co-chaired by Antony Jenkins, Group CEO for Barclays in the U.K.; Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, undersecretary-general and executive director of the U.N. Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN WOMEN) in New York; Patrice Motsepe, founder and executive chairman of African Rainbow Minerals in South Africa; Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever in the U.K., and Michael Rake, the chairman of the BT Group in the U.K.

Read more at IndependentOnline.