BUA Group is partnering with the AFRICA CEO FORUM for the 2020 edition of its public-private dialogue platform that is designed to attract prominent business leaders across the world.
The event is expected to drive public-private dialogue forward by providing a platform where economic leaders and public-sector representatives discuss key sectoral challenges relating to the growth of Africa and the business environment.
The 2020 edition of AFRICA CEO FORUM 2020 edition will focus on the role the private sector can play to improve the African continent.
According to a statement, the growing inequality, advent of climate risk, technological revolutions and resurgent protectionism (at a time when these four major disruptions are turning the global private sector upside down and pointing to capitalism’s fundamental transformation worldwide), the leaders of Africa’s economy and largest companies have been slow to participate in the topical discussion surrounding “capitalism and the common good”.
What you need to know: Businesses have often been accused of prioritising profit above the good of the society but the AFRICA CEO FORUM 2020 edition intends to change the narrative, proving that the private sector “doing business” and “doing good” can be one and the same.
In the statement, it was disclosed that telecoms firms’ role in financial inclusion, investors supporting the distribution of solar energy facilities and agribusiness prioritising on-site supply and processing are examples of “business for good”, and it is becoming a culture in Africa.
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The 2020 edition will feature discussions around fight against growing inequality, environmental battles, job creation, youth inclusion, etc. It would also attempt to proffer answers to these questions:
- How can these objectives be reconciled with competitiveness challenges?
- What role do companies and their leaders play in view of the changes underway and are they equipped to deal with them?
- How can the digital tidal wave be transformed into an impact accelerator?
The forum, which is expected to attract 1,800 participants, will also lead to significant transactions in favour of the regional and pan-African growth of the private sector and the development of the continent in general.
Speaking on the partnership, the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu said, “I am convinced that the world’s major companies must – and can – bring about a paradigm shift in doing business right.
“BUA Group is therefore proud to participate in the AFRICA CEO FORUM’s initiative to create a new movement promoting common-good capitalism. Painting a new horizon for the African private sector is a strategic priority at a time when the inequality gap continues to widen, imbalances remain significant and environmental risk grows.”
Many prominent figures have been scheduled for the 2020 edition. Business leaders such as:
- Philippe Le Houérou, CEO of IFC;
- Abdulsamad Rabiu, Executive Chairman of BUA Group;
- Alain Law Min, CEO of Mauritius Commercial Bank;
- Amadou Hott, Minister of Economy of Senegal;
- Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holding;
- Mohamed Mohsen, CEO of Arab Contractors;
- Albert Yuma, Chairman of Gécamines;
- Diane Karusisi, CEO of Bank of Kigali;
- Jean Kacou Diagou, Chairman of NSIA;
- Toyin Sanni, CEO of Emerging Africa Group;
- Sérgio Pimenta, VP Africa and Middle-East of IFC; and
- Richard Bielle, Chairman of the Management Board of CFAO.
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The previous edition such as AFRICA CEO FORUM 2018, had focused on the impact of digital technology while the AFRICA CEO FORUM 2019 covered the best approach to take to ensure the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).
