Webinar | May 2021 - November 2021

Business Leaders Series

Africa Regional Webinar Series

African economies are expected to rebound in 2021. According to the African Development Bank, real GDP on the continent is projected to grow by 3.4% after shrinking by 2.1% last year, a recovery driven by the effective deployment of therapeutics and vaccines, continued implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and increased private sector investment and participation in the economy.

19 May 2021 - Business Leaders Series: West Africa

The first regional event will invite leading private sector players and investors operating in West Africa to discuss the latest industry developments in technology infrastructure, renewable energy and trade & logistics. 

West Africa is expected to bounce back from the crisis with renewed confidence. This has been demonstrated by major investments in the technology ecosystem, new developments in the renewable energy space as well as a strong focus on trade and logistics projects to harness the potential of the AfCFTA. 

The West Africa regional event will unpack these economic and investment trends and provide a unique platform for businesses and investors alike.

Click here to see the speakers.

Register here

16 June 2021- Business Leaders Series: East Africa

Few regions in the world excite as much attention as East Africa. Driven by a resurgent Kenyan economy, the promise of economic liberalisation in Ethiopia and the possibility of vast oil production in Uganda, investors are flocking to the region in the hope of taking advantage of bold new opportunities.

Despite the pandemic, the World Bank has projected that it will remain the continent’s fastest growing region in 2021, alongside Southern Africa, with growth of 2.7%. This demonstrates the region’s economic resilience and diversification. 

The East Africa regional event will explore the new investment opportunities in the Agriculture sector in Eastern Africa, discuss the recent telecom liberalisation efforts in Ethiopia and provide crucial insights into the new wave of investments in critical technology and data infrastructure in the region.

Register here

15 July 2021 - Business Leaders Series: North Africa

Boosting local manufacturing is a key determinant for a strong economic recovery in Africa. Business-to-business spending in manufacturing in Africa is projected to reach $666.3 billion by 2030, $201.28 billion more than that it did in 2015, thus showing the high potential of the sector. 

North Africa is already benefiting from an increase in investments in the sector and boosts strong industries that are already shaping the future of Africa’s industrial landscape. 

Morocco is a leading aerospace manufacturing hub with roughly 140 aeronautical suppliers employing more than 17,000 people, and the government still plans to increase the number of firms operating to 220 by 2030, employing 40,000 people. 

Tunisia is home to 39 drug manufacturing companies and the sector has experienced steady double-digit growth at between 10% and 15% a year as a result of increased domestic demand for drugs, emerging export markets and the implementation of a favourable business environment.

The North Africa series will deep-dive into the booming manufacturing ecosystem in the region and invite leading industrialists and investors for a dynamic discussion and debate on the future of the sub-region.

Register here

11 November 2021 - Business Leaders Series: Southern Africa

Southern Africa was the region that was hardest hit by the pandemic, with an economic contraction of 7.0% in 2020. However, it is projected to grow by 3.2% in 2021 and 2.4% in 2022. 

The service sector, which accounts for over 50% of the GDP of most of the regional economies, is expected to be negatively impacted by the pandemic, worsened by travel bans, as well as disruption to transport, distribution, hotels and restaurants, entertainment, retail and trade.

However, as lockdowns across the region ease and both consumer and business spending increases, Southern Africa will experience a strong bounce-back in the years to come. 

With the re-start of air travel, the tourism and hospitality industry in the sub-region will recover, and with the implementation of the AfCFTA, cross-border trade will rapidly increase, benefiting businesses and governments alike. 

The Southern Africa region series will analyse in more detail the services sector in Southern Africa and invite private sector leaders operating in the tourism, hospitality and FMCG sector to draw a cohesive plan for economic recovery.

Register here