State of the Africa Region

Saturday, April 18, 2015
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | 15:00 – 16:30 GMT
WATCH LIVE | Follow on Twitter: #AfricaSOR

This year’s State of the Africa Region seminar will focus on the challenges and opportunities facing Africa in a changing world. Hear from the World Bank’s Chief Economist for Africa as he presents the implications of lower oil and other commodity prices for a region that exports a large number of commodities. Join the discussion on this and other long term challenges facing Africa: the demographic transition; the urbanization process; and the changing nature of conflict and fragility.

Chair:

• Makhtar Diop, Africa Region Vice President, World Bank

Presenter:

• Francisco H.G. Ferreira, Africa Region Chief Economist, World Bank

Discussants:

• S.E. Madame Nialé Kaba, Ministre des Finances, Ministère des Finances, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire
• H.E. Armando Manuel, Minister of Finance, Ministry of Finance, Republic of Angola

Building African Participation in Global Value Chains

Thursday, April 16, 2015
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | 16:30 – 18:00 GMT
WATCH LIVE | Follow on Twitter: #AfricaValueChain | #AfricaInvestor

African economies are experiencing a range of unprecedented challenges to their growth, competitiveness and opportunities for investment. Led by Africa Investor CEO Hubert Danso, a panel of global experts will explore how African companies and banks can work with governments, the World Bank and international companies to attract investment and mobilize capital in order to build African brands capable of creating jobs and increasing the continent’s role and influence on the global economic stage.

Chair:

• Anabel GONZALEZ, Senior Director, Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice, World Bank Group

Co-Chair:

• Hubert DANSO, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman, Africa investor

Invited Panelists:

• H.E. Marcel  DE SOUZA, Minister of Development Planning, Prospective and Economic Analysis, Benin
• H.E. Cristina DUARTE, Minister of Finance and Public Administration, Cape Verde
• H.E. Matia KASAIJA, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Uganda
• H.E. Henry ROTICH, Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury, Kenya
• H.E. Saada SALUM, Minister of Finance, Tanzania
• H.E. Regis IMMONGAULT TATAGANI, Minister of Economy and Investment Promotion and Perspective, Gabon
• Solomon ASAMOAH, Vice President; Infrastructure, Private Sector and Regional Integration, African Development Bank (AfDB)
• Edward J. MATHIAS, Managing Director, The Carlyle Group
• Thierry TANOH, Minister, Deputy General Secretary in charge of Economic Affairs, Cote d’Ivoire
• Ashish J. THAKKAR, Founder and Managing Director, Mara Group

_________________________________________

Harnessing Urbanization for Growth and Shared Prosperity in Africa

Friday, April 17, 2015
11:00 a.m. – 12:30  p.m. | 15:00 – 16:30 GMT
WATCH LIVE |Follow on Twitter: #AfricaGrowthShare

Africa has grown more rapidly than any other region in the world with an additional 450 million people expected to move to Africa’s cities between 2010 and 2040. With the potential to grow, attract investments, be innovative and create more jobs, how can cities turn this rapid urbanization into a win win?

Join a panel of global experts, including world renowned Economist Paul Collier and representatives from some of Africa’s busiest cities, as they discuss how to build infrastructure, boost employment and improve the quality of life, housing, education and health services for the growing numbers of Africa’s city dwellers.

Co-Chairs:

• Makhtar Diop, Africa Region Vice President, World Bank
• Ede Ijjasz Vasquez, Senior Director for Social, Urban, Rural & Resilience, World Bank

Panelists:

• Paul Collier, Professor of Economics, Oxford University