Youth, economy on Africa agenda at Commonwealth Africa Summit

© Christopher Titze via 123RF

Immediate past President of Ghana, John D Mahama and Spanish former Deputy Prime Minister María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, are among dignitaries confirmed to discuss the Africa’s economic growth and Shared Prosperity of Commonwealth Member States from Africa at the Commonwealth Africa Summit 2018 from 12-15 March 2018.

The Commonwealth Africa Summit is a high level, multi-stakeholder event that annually brings together government and business leaders from the Commonwealth and allies to facilitate dialogue and action on key and relevant issues ranging from trade and investment, entrepreneurship and job creation, economic development, security and counterterrorism, energy and power, amongst other relevant issues in Africa.

The event, annually hosted as part of activities to celebrate the Commonwealth Week in London, is organised by the Commonwealth Africa Initiative, to provide a veritable platform for the generation of new ideas, trade agreements, business relationships and investments.

In addition to Mahama, other lead speakers and panellists include: Amina J Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary General; Toyin Saraki, CEO, Wellbeing Foundation; Dr Hassan Ahmed Hilal, Minister of Environment Sudan; Chief Folorunso Alakija, vice chair, Famfa Oil; Mia Amor Mottley MP, leader of  opposition and former Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados; Dr Babatope Agbeyo, chairman Cornfield Group; Ashish Thakkar, CEO, Mara Group; and others.

Unlocking Africa’s economic potential by increasing trade, collaboration and Philanthropy within the commonwealth will be at the forefront of conversations at this week Commonwealth Africa Summit in London.
register via https://t.co/QXKOC4vLdd
join us! #cas2018 #commonwealth2018 pic.twitter.com/ly5t0ZgB2s

— Commonwealth Africa (@CWAfricasummit) March 5, 2018

The 2018 Summit will also feature as panellists, a wide array of senior cabinet ministers and chief executives of corporations from Africa and across the Commonwealth, including: Dr Hassan Ahmed Hilal, Minister of Environment Sudan; Kate Osamor, UK Shadow Secretary for International Development; Vivienne Yeda, director general, East African Development Bank; Mark Pursey, CEO, BTP Advisers; Henry Sands, SABI Strategy Group;  Isha Johansen, president of Sierra Leone Football Association; Muriel Maupoint, CEO, Hope for Children;  Sally Anne Wilson, CEO, Public Media Alliance;  Dr Justina Mutale, advisory board member , World Leaders Forum; Tim Loughton MP; John Penrose MP, UK Prime Minister’s anti-corruption champion; Martin Realey, CEO, Build Africa;  Debbie Ariyo, CEO AFRUCA;  Tim Wainwright, CEO Water Aid;  Paul Smith Lomas MBE, CEO of Practical Action;  Dr Babatope Agbeyo, CEO, Cornfield Group and Botosoft Inc; Parminder Vir OBE, CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Lord Alan Watson of Richmond, former chair of Coca Cola Europe Advisory Board;  Dayo Israel, Africa regional director, Commonwealth Africa Initiative; Odein Ajumogobia, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Nigeria;  Lord Hughes of Woodside, chair of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM); Paul Kunert, CEO, Joule Africa; Dr V B Narayanamurthy, professor, India; Sidney Yankson, CEO, Ghana Capital Partners; Dr Amy Jadesinmi, CEO, LADOL Energy; Paul Kunert, DJ Cuppy Otedola; Dr Ken Ikpe; Mark Tierney; Helen Tarnoy, founder and managing director, Aldwych International;  Omar Selim, CEO, Arabeque; Edward George, country head, UK Representative Office, ECOBANK Group; Chad Blackman, Caribbean engagement head, Commonwealth Africa Initiative; and many others.

Panel moderators at the event include Sarah Sand (BBC), Joseph Hammond, Christine Holzbaeur (IC Publications), Toun Okewale Sonaiya (WFM), Gillian Joseph (Sky), Eryca Freemantle and others.

The event, opened to Africans, friends of Africa and young African leaders will also feature a Youth Forum to discuss Africa’s political future, and invites participants from across the Commonwealth.

The event is organised by the Commonwealth Africa Initiative (CAFI) in association with BOTOSOFT Limited, Oxford Business Group, GLEEHD Foundation, APO Group, IC Publications (African Review), BEN TV, Phoenix Media Group, Ghana Society, Amayew Debrah, Africa.com, GhanaNewsOne, GEMAFRICA TV and other partners. CAFI promotes the socio-economic interests of Africa in the Commonwealth.