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Global leaders will descend on Dubai for the Africa Legal Network’s (ALN) 5thAfrica Investment Conference on 7-8 November at the Four Seasons Resort, Dubai, UAE. The invite-only event will see Guest of Honour, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister for Tolerance, UAE, and world leading business professionals and government representatives meet with the objectives of spurring investment into Africa and promoting debate on some of the pressing issues facing the continent.
The conference comes at a time when the Sub-Saharan African economy is expected to surpass $ 2 trillion in the next two years, according to data from a recent IFC report. Gulf entities have invested around $30 billion in Africa’s infrastructure projects over the last decade, according to the Dubai Chamber, a trend which shows no sign of slowing down with DP World’s announcement last month to develop a $50 million logistics facility in Mali.
Discussing the diverse investment opportunities available to Gulf and international investors, the conference will also welcome Guest of Honour, Dr. Cheick Modibo Diarra, Former Prime Minister of Mali and ALN Chairman, as well as a line-up of international speakers with a deep understanding of conducting business in Africa. Speakers include, Mohamed Rali Badissy, Senior Attorney for Energy and Finance, US Department of Commerce; Jesse Zigmund, General Counsel, M-KOPA Solar and James Mwangi, CEO of Equity Group.
This year’s conference will delve into key topics affecting the continent, including the implications of the adoption of disruptive technology, the rise of African mega-cities and the impact of the push for renewable energy sources. Panel sessions will also offer delegates practical advice on doing business in Africa, with sessions covering entry strategies, raising finance and how to navigate common ‘pitfalls’.
ALN Chairman and former Malian Prime Minister, Dr. Cheick Modibo Diarra, said:
“Over the past few years Africa’s economy has been giving investors a reason for optimism as it regains traction after a marked slowdown. This year’s ALN conference comes as the continent’s real output growth is forecast to reach pre-shock levels. Rising commodity prices and progressive regime changes across Africa are combining to produce stability, prosperity and an ideal environment for foreign investment.”
“Now in its fifth year, I have no doubt that the ALN Africa Investment Conference will continue to provide a dynamic platform for global leaders and businesspeople to share insights, engage in debate and promote business exchange between Africa and the rest of the world. We are seeing a changing attitude towards perceived ‘risk’ when it comes to investing in Africa, as well as increased appetite from international investors looking to invest across many sector types on the continent. With a range of thought-provoking panel sessions and ‘spotlight’ sessions on specific countries in North, West and East and Southern Africa, delegates will come away understanding that the opportunities on the continent are truly limitless.”
According to a fDi report, the UAE was the second top investing country in Africa by value of capital investment in 2016, accounting for $11 billion of capital expenditure - second only to China. The report also showed that UAE-led FDI rose a substantial 161 percent from 2015, when it injected $4.2 billion of capex into African projects.
Over 400 delegates are expected to attend the event, which brings together speakers from a host of companies, government departments and think-tanks, including Helios Investment Partners, Standard Chartered, Citigroup, General Electric Capital, M-KOPA Solar, Masawara, Brenthurst Foundation, Surbana Jurong, The Access Bank UK, Africa Trade Insurance Agency, Taurus Family Office, AIM Group, Zenises, BrandMoxie, among others.
The conference sponsors include AX1S, Emirates NBD, The Access Bank UK among others. Emirates Airlines is the Official Conference Airline. Four Seasons Dubai; Shangri-La Dubai and JW Marriott Marquis Dubai are the accommodation partners. Media sponsors include, Banker Africa, Forbes Africa and The Business Year.
To find out more on the ALN Africa Investment Conference, please click here.
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