The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and its partners have hosted the 4th African Business Forum 2021.
The virtual gathering was held on the margins of the thirty-fourth ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, with theme, “Innovative finance: building forward to the Sustainable Development Goals”.
Each year, the event brings together Heads of State and Government, policymakers, industry leaders, civil society representatives, academics, thought leaders, youth representatives and private business executives to discuss pressing development topics, including the role of the private sector in the development of Africa; cutting-edge and innovative ideas for financing sustainable development in Africa; and forging partnerships between African private and public sectors.
This year’s edition focused on the challenges and opportunities facing African economies and societies with regard to innovative financing for growth in Africa.
It also discussed accelerating the role of the private sector through innovative financing to build forward towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
“In the throes of the coronavirus disease pandemic, Africa is facing an unprecedented threat to the hard-earned growth that it achieved over the last decade,” the ECA said in a statement.
Here are some of the highlights of the meeting:
#Kenya is mainstreaming #women into all sectors of society, from governance to the economy. By leaving them out, we are leaving like half the country out & reducing our capacity to become superpowers by half, President #UhuruKenyatta told delegates during #ABF2021. #Ideas2Action pic.twitter.com/waSEKa7fRD
— ECA (@ECA_OFFICIAL) February 9, 2021
#African countries need a new issuance of special drawing rights. Only w/ SDRs can we have access to t/ #liquidity that will keep #business open #jobs secure & ensure we #vaccinate our populations. COVID a global bad we must fight together. #SDRs most critical weapon for battle. pic.twitter.com/KTEnMAJmQ3
— ECA (@ECA_OFFICIAL) February 8, 2021
Africa’s #energy needs demands were also discussed:
#Africa's #energy needs demand by 2050 will be driven by four factors; population growth, urbanization, economic growth & industrialisation. Massive investments amounting into hundreds of billions of dollars needed for continent to meet energy needs. ECA's #AntonioPedro #ABF2021 pic.twitter.com/RDrhurf01J
— ECA (@ECA_OFFICIAL) February 8, 2021
This year’s virtual meeting had in attendance the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta; the Democratic Republic of the Congo President, Félix Tshisekedi; Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank; Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50; Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, Chief Commercial Officer, Mixta Africa and Advisory Board Member, Africa Energy Chamber; and Bubacar Diallo, Founder and CEO of Benoo Energies, among others.
Amaka E. Nliam
