4th annual Africa Development Forum: what is the focus?

4th annual Africa Development Forum: what is the focus?
By Catherine Hardy
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Transforming agriculture from a subsistence activity into a driver of development and growth

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Entrepreneurship in Africa…how can we free up energies and support agriculture?
What model of electrification will suit the continent?

Euronews put these questions to political leaders and participants at the 4th annual African Development Forum which has taken place in Morocco’s economic capital, Casablanca.

What is the forum about?

At Casablanca for d forum on Africa's Development.Transform Africa's energy&agric sectors&you will transform Africa pic.twitter.com/XOOsxl5JHb

— Cecilia Akintomide (@CBAkintomide) February 26, 2016

The organisers say the forum is focused on fulfilling Africa’s fundamental needs.

There are 800 million hectares of unexploited arable land on the continent, yet more than 50% of the population suffer from malnutrition and more than 60% have no access to electricity.

The meeting is an opportunity for economic stakeholders and heads of business to exchange experiences and share best practice.

Mohammed el-Kettani is CEO of the Attijariwafa Bank.

“The beauty of this forum is that it allows the 2,400 who have signed up to take part around 4,500 business-to-business meetings.”

“The aim is to increase cooperation between states in Africa.”

“Africans need to begin to cooperate with people in other states in their regions and also to work with their international peers on a level footing.”

Business opportunities

The Casablanca forum also offers the opportunity for business meetings with decision-makers and investors.

The main focus is on the transformation of the agricultural sector from a subsistence activity to a driver of economic and business development.

Merci d’avoir suivi le LT de l’interview du Ministre de l'Agriculture, M. MBOUMBA NZIENGUI, avec GabonDirect</a> ! <a href="https://t.co/uVr3uD67oC">pic.twitter.com/uVr3uD67oC</a></p>&mdash; Gabon Direct (GabonDirect) November 2, 2015

“Agriculture is no longer the concern of an Africa of the poor, where people do not have enough to eat or are not self-sufficient,”Mathieu Mboumba Nziengui, Agriculture Minister of the Republic of Gabon told Euronews.

“Agriculture, above all, concerns everyone, mainly Europeans and these days Africa itself, in the context of south-south cooperation.”

Zahra Maafri, the Managing Director of Maroc Export #FIAD2016#AWB#marocexport#euronews#Attijariwafabankpic.twitter.com/1vXX6gRiRa

— kawtar wakil (@kawtarwakil) February 28, 2016

Zahra Maafri is the Managing Director of Maroc Export-

“The aim of this 4th annual forum is to relaunch the debate about Africa’s fundamental requirements,” she told Euronews.

“The development of the agricultural and electrical power industries are two key sectors for a sustainable and balanced policy giving Africa a better position on the international market.”

Business-to-business investments refer to a situation where one company makes a commercial arrangement with another.

With the help of the Investment Promotion Agency (IPA), the Republic of Congo unveiled its development strategy aimed at opening the country up to international investors.

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“The future of investment lies in Africa, we have strong growth here and we are seeing increasing development allowing for south-south contact. I think it is a very good sign.” said Annick Patricia Mongo, IPA Congo-Brazzaville General Manager.

Closing ceremony of the Africa Development Forum in Casa organized by Attijariwafa Bank! pic.twitter.com/4OKaUocDbs

— Cheikh I. Diong (@CIDiong) February 26, 2016

The organisers are committed to turning this forum into an annual opportunity for multiplying business meetings and investment on the African continent.

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