Prominent members of the African Diaspora will brief City investors about innovative and lucrative ideas for Africa’s development at Cass Business School on 23 April 2013.
The briefing, titled ‘Pitching Africa in the City’, will mark a sharp departure from the points usually made about the African Diaspora's contribution to Africa's development through remittances. Instead, investors and business people will receive tips on practical steps they can take to boost their presence in the African market, and how they can engage with African Diaspora professionals to take advantage of on-going and forthcoming development opportunities in Africa.
The panelists include Ben Oguntala, CEO of DevelopedAfrica.com, an online resource which will allow international companies unprecedented access to commercial development opportunities in African countries. Mr Oguntala will outline the usefulness of this resource to companies already operating in Africa, and to those seeking to move into this expanding market.
Another speaker will be Sylvie Aboa-Bradwell, CEO of the UK-based think-tank African Peoples Advocacy (APA). She will brief attendees about the documentary Leading Lions, which APA is currently producing. The documentary follows four outstanding members of the African Diaspora, including several panellists, as they work and implement their groundbreaking ideas in the City, London, Africa and elsewhere. Ms Aboa-Bradwell will discuss how investors and business people can position themselves at the forefront of the positive transformation of Africa by participating in the Leading Lions project.
There will also be interventions from Didier Meledje, president of Alpha Professional Network (APN), and Justine Lutterodt, ethical leadership consultant and co-founder of the Africa Women’s Circle. Mr Meledje will highlight the need for investors to engage with APN in order to gain invaluable insights into African as well as other emerging and frontiers markets. Ms Lutterodt will discuss the relevance of ethical leadership for investment in Africa, and the importance of empowering African women entrepreneurs.
Colourful Radio director, Henry Bonsu, will chair the briefing. Special guest speaker will be TEDxExeter 2012 speaker, Bandi Mbubi. ‘I am excited to be part of this unique mobilisation of the African Diaspora aimed at engaging businesses to boost Africa’s development,’ Mbubi said.
The event will also feature an exhibition by businesses with services related to the African market; a showcasing of African Diaspora services to the City, and a drinks reception.
Sylvie Aboa-Bradwell, who is organising the briefing in collaboration with Ben Oguntala, said: ‘This is an unmissable opportunity for astute investors to get ahead of the game in Africa, and participate in the positive transformation of Africa in the 21st century.’
You can register for the event at: http://pitchingafricainthecity.eventbrite.co.uk