NABA celebrate our first six months

NABA’s work to build bridges between Norwegian and African business communities is progressing, and since our launch at the Norwegian-African Business Summit in September 2011 the organization have undertaken many activities. Here are some examples of the work we have done so far.NABA was launched at the Norwegian-African Business Summit, our first event. 250 participants from the Norwegian business community, 25 speakers and 22 African Ambassadors/embassies were present. Norwegian Minister of Trade Mr. Trond Giske and Kenyan Minister of East-African Cooperation, Mr. Musa Sirma did the official opening. See pictures and presentations from the summit at our event page.NABA has assisted several Norwegian companies interested in African markets. Advisory work has included providing information, contacts and facilitation services. One Norwegian company had worked for several months without getting the permits to start operating in one country. NABA facilitated the necessary government contacts for the company, and shortly after the company was allowed to begin operating.NABA has been promoting a free trade agreement between the East-African Community and EFTA, through hosting meetings and raising the issues with the Norwegian government.Building a solid network for our members is one of NABA’s assets. NABA became an official member of the European Business Council for Africa and the Mediterranean (EBCAM) in October 2011. NABA signed a MoU with the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia in January 2012. More partnership agreements with several chamber of commerce will be established in the months to come.NABA has been asked by a Norwegian political party to contribute with inputs to their “Norwegian business in Africa” policies. NABA was also mentioned in the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs latest policy document on “development through private sector initiatives”. NABA participated in the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Minister of Development’s business trade mission to Ghana in November 2011, and NABA facilitated both government and private sector meetings in Ghana for a Norwegian investor in connection to this trade mission.NABA has facilitated business meetings for several African Ambassadors/embassies with Norwegian companies and also provided contacts with Norwegian companies.NABA has hosted several seminars on business opportunities in Africa this year. The seminar “Business focus on East-Africa: Energy&technology” was organised in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Norad in Trondheim on 8 March 2012. At the seminar 150 participants and all EAC-embassies were represented. On 6 March 2012, NABA organised “Aquaculture opportunities in Africa” gathering Ministers of Fisheries/delegations from Mauritius, Mozambique, South-Africa, Namibia, Angola, Ghana and Morocco in Oslo.One of NABA’s objectives is to contribute to a more balanced image of the African continent in the Norwegian media. NABA has published op-eds in two Norwegian newspapers (Aftenposten and Adresseavisen) commenting on the negative coverage of Africa and several errors made in an article where the newspaper criticised a company operating in Uganda.NABA has also been invited to several public meetings/debates. We have been invited to present our views on African business development in many different settings. Examples are the Falstad Management Seminar, the ANSA Alumni BRICS-seminar, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Program for African Studies, the Uganda Convention Nordic, Spire’s meeting on land issues in Africa and at the Student Society of Trondheim.In the months to come, NABA will organize several seminars and business mission – and not least, the Norwegian-African Business Summit 2012. For more information on how NABA can assist your company, please do not hesitate to get in touch.