Economist Corporate Network launches Africa service

Regular forums

Regular forums - based on models in Europe and the Middle East - will offer senior executives the opportunity to discuss business trends, market information and on-the-ground insights with their peers and with Economist analysts in a confidential environment. Members will also have access to regular briefings on www.corporatenetwork.com, including detailed data for 25 key markets in Africa, slide packs for members to use, webinars and discussion forums.

The first Africa business briefing - which takes place in Sandton tomorrow, 26 March plans to explore why companies are taking Africa more seriously since the economic crisis, give an outlook in key markets across the continent and discuss best practice and business challenges in the region.

Led by the Economist Intelligence Unit's Pat Thaker, regional director for Africa, Jane Kinninmont, associate director for Middle East and Africa and Delia Meth-Cohn, editorial director for CEMEA, the briefing will be interactive and focus on real business issues.

Will Wilkinson, commercial director of Economist Corporate Network for CEMEA said: "We are very excited to be investing further in such a vast, young, and largely untapped market. We offer our members a unique business service that will help them understand market potential and make smarter business decisions, faster. At the heart of the service is a data tool that gives members access to forecasts for 25 markets in Africa, produced by a specialsed team of EIU editors."