Bloomberg Invest Focus Africa

About the Event

Every crisis creates an opportunity. Even though the pandemic put the brakes on social and economic progress in Africa, as the continent rebuilds, it has a chance to pursue a growth path that is responsible, inclusive, and sustainable.

The region has enormous economic potential: a youthful population, burgeoning tech sector, rich natural resources, and fast-growing markets offer rewarding opportunities for investors and global businesses. However, challenges remain. Millions of people have been pushed into poverty. The impact of climate change worsens each year. Political instability in some countries is rising. This needs urgent attention. The world must come together to discuss Africa’s recovery and how to finance its needs.

At Bloomberg Invest: Focus on Africa, we discuss actionable solutions for Africa to reimagine its future. What will it take for investors to deploy their capital in the continent? We will convene corporate leaders, policymakers, innovators, and thinkers to explore key issues around investing so that the Africa that emerges from the pandemic is stronger than the one that went into it.

Join us. At Bloomberg Invest: Focus on Africa.

Agenda

MON, MAY 16 – 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM GMT +1 / 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM CET

6:00 PM BST – Registration and Cocktail Reception

7:10 PM BST – Opening Remarks
– Henrique Almeida, Breaking News Reporter and Editor for Bloomberg in Western Europe, Bloomberg

7:15 PM BST – In Conversation with… Addressing Investors’ Concerns and Discussing Opportunities
In this conversation, we look at the Angolan example and examine the opportunities and challenges for investors in the industrial sector. We discuss the concerns investors have and how they can be allayed. We look at the impact of the pandemic on supply chains and the knock-on effect on manufacturing. And we spotlight the government’s plans for so-called Special Economic Zones in Luanda and elsewhere in Angola – could this model be replicated across Southern Africa?
– Víctor Francisco dos Santos Fernandes, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Republic of Angola
– Moderator: Henrique Almeida, Breaking News Reporter and Editor for Bloomberg in Western Europe, Bloomberg

8:05 PM BST – Panel Discussion Investing in Manufacturing in Southern Africa: Untapped Business Opportunities
Industrialization is at the center of Southern African nations’ efforts to meet growing local consumer demands for goods and services and become the next global manufacturing hub. What should the governments’ strategies be to foster a competitive manufacturing sector? Some governments plan to sell assets through a massive privatization program including factories and other manufacturing facilities, but who is buying these assets?
– Liz Lloyd, Chief Impact Officer, British International Investment
– Marco Serena, Group Head of Sustainable Development Impact, Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG)
– Moderator: David Malingha, East Africa Bureau Chief, Bloomberg

9:00 PM BST – Event Concludes

TUE, MAY 17 – 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM GMT +1 / 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM CET

9:30 AM BST – Welcome Remarks, Bloomberg Host
– Mallika Kapur, Deputy Global Editor, Bloomberg Live

9.35 AM BST – Conversation with a Newsmaker
A one-on-one conversation with a newsmaker plays a key role in charting Africa’s economic path.
– Cina Lawson, Minister for Digital Economy, Togo
– In conversation with Arijit Ghosh, Africa Managing Editor, Bloomberg

9:50 AM BST – Tech’s New Frontier
The continent’s tech sector is booming. The pandemic led to a massive increase in investment into digital services and tech-enabled solutions. The result? A sharp increase in the number of Unicorns in Africa. We hear from the most innovative startups on the continent and look at their impact on development.
– Yemi Lalude, Partner, Head of Africa, TPG Rise
– Tim Steel, CEO, Copia
– Isis Nyong’o Madison, Co-founder, WomenWork
– Moderator: Samuel Gebre, Africa Correspondent, Bloomberg News

10.30 AM BST – Conversation with a newsmaker
A one on one conversation with a leading figure-shaping Ghana’s economic policy
– Ernest Addison, Governor, Bank of Ghana
– In conversation with David Merritt, Executive Editor, Bloomberg

10.45 AM BST – The Road to Green Energy
What does the race to Net Zero mean for countries in Africa? We look at how the region can contribute to emission reductions and benefit from the dynamics of a global energy transition.
– Elizabeth Nyeko, Founder & CEO, Modularity Grid

11.05 AM BST – Africa: The Path to Debt Sustainability
The pandemic diverted vital funds away from debt relief toward essential healthcare needs. This, with a decline in government revenues as economic growth stalled, added pressure to a region already saddled with massive debt. How can African countries chart a way out of this debt trap?
– Gregory Smith, Author, Where Credit is Due
– Razia Khan, Head of Research, Africa and Middle East, Standard Chartered Bank
– Moderator: David Malingha, East Africa Bureau Chief, Bloomberg News

11.30 AM BST – A Conversation with a newsmaker
A virtual conversation with a leading figure in Angola on the country’s economic outlook.
– Vera Daves de Sousa, Minister of Finance, Angola
– In conversation with Henrique Almeida, Bloomberg

11:40 AM BST – Building Africa
Poor infrastructure cripples growth. In many parts of Africa, roads, ports, railway lines and airports are in need of urgent repair. Access to reliable electricity is more important than ever due to a growing reliance on technology for work, education and e-commerce. What is this region doing to improve its infrastructure and logistics network? How can Africa close its infrastructure gap and will infrastructure projects – from those in the pipeline to the ones under construction – propel growth?
– Maher Jarmakani, Chairman and CEO of Nigerdock
– Sergio Pimenta, Regional Vice President for Africa, IFC
– Moderator: Jennifer Zabasajja, Anchor, Quicktake

12:00 PM BST – Programming concludes

12:00 PM BST – 13:00 PM BST – Networking Lunch