- Nigeria, listed as an investment destination for China, is missing on the roll as the Chinese government hosts eight African nations to a high powered investment opportunities forum which begins in Beijing on October 15.
- The two-day investment drive will focus on opportunities in the energy sector of Africa’s economy. Listed to address the forum and present investment opportunities in the energy sector of their countries are energy ministers from Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Namibia, Uganda and South Africa.
- Chairman of the Board of ICBC Standard Bank PLC, Mingqiang Bi and Deputy General Manager, Special Financing Department, ICBC Bank, Madam Shen Min are expected to provide insights into investment financing for
African nations.
According to a statement made available, “there will be 11+ project presentations featuring major opportunities, including: The East to West Landbridge – LAPSSET Corridor; East African Standard Gauge Railways; Dry port development in Ghana; Unbundling of state utilities in Liberia and; Gas-to Power investment opportunities in Mozambique and South Africa.
The forum, which is in its fourth year, is tagged The 4th Annual Africa Infrastructure and Power Forum and “partners with the China Africa Development Fund, who will be seeking new projects to receive some of the $5billion under their management”.
- The statement notes that 2015 marks a turning point for African investment with the need to address the continent’s energy deficit, and the critical requirement to connect those living without access to electricity. According to the statement, 13 percent of world’s population live without electricity, majority, in Africa.
- Energy industry experts link Nigeria’s absence at the investment forum on the absence of an Energy Minister for the country. President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been unable to form a cabinet since inauguration on May 29, had promised to do so before the month runs out.
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