Successful Nordic-African Business Summit hosted in Oslo
On Thursday October 13, 38 speakers and around 400 African and Nordic business delegates and participants, including more than 20 ambassadors from African and Nordic countries discussed how best to invest in the rapidly growing cities in Africa.
For the sixth consecutive year, The Norwegian-African Business Association (NABA) hosted the leading Nordic-African business summit in Oslo.
Welcoming remarks were given by Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Børge Brende and Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Mr. Kai Mykkanen. During his speech, Mr. Brende was clear on the interest in African-Norwegian partnerships and the shift from traditional development aid to investment opportunities.
“The potential is endless when it comes to Africa and urbanization… Norway will partner with African countries that are also interested in private sector partnerships.”
Plenary sessions and panel debates included key speakers such as Mr. Thabo Mbeki, former president of the Republic of South Africa, who focused his speech on the African State of Affairs and what it means for the future development of the continent.
Other notable speakers included: Mr. Henri-Bernard Solignac-Lecomte, Head of Africa Unit at OECD, Hon. Benny Bugembe Namugwanya, State Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority, Mr. Kjell Roland, CEO of Norfund, Ms. Ebi Atawodi, CEO Uber West Africa, Ms. Juliet Anammah, CEO Jumia Nigeria and Mr. Tutu Agyare, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Nubuke Investments.
This year’s CEO & Chairperson’s panel included Mr. Svein Tore Holsether from Yara International, Mr. Hichem Elloumi from UTICA and Coficab in Tunisia, Mr. Hans Jochum Horn, Chairman of Rendeavour and Ms. Khanyi Dhlomo of Ndalo Media.
Discussions covered the role of technology, financing, and government policies as positive tools in the creation of sustainable growing cities:
“Urbanization by itself does not reduce poverty; it requires policies.”
“We are going to find that every sector will go through technology disruption”
After listening to interesting conversations on investment opportunities in “Growing African Cities”, participants and guests enjoyed an hour of food and networking. Coming back from lunch participants chose between four parallel sessions focusing on “Renewable Energy in East Africa”, “Infrastructure in West Africa”, “Consumer Goods in North Africa” and “Food Production for the Growing Cities”.
After the parallel sessions, participants attended speed meetings with relevant African and Nordic Ambassadors.
The Nordic-African Business Summit would not have been possible without our co-host Norfund, main partners: FK Norway, KLM and the Financial Times, and partners: Multiconsult, Statoil, Yara International, Rendeavour, INTL FCStone and and Leidar. Transport partner: Flytoget. Media partner: African Business Flowers: Mester Grønn AS
Download presentations:
Presentation by Mr. Henri-Bernard Solignac-Lecomte, Head of Africa Unit at OECD
President Thabo Mbeki’s key note speech
Video summary: