Dubai to host top-level African forum

Five African presidents and more than 12 ministers along with a large number of top executives and decision-makers will participate in a two-day forum to be held in Dubai in November in what is dubbed as the largest economic African gathering outside the black continent.

The 4th Global Business Forum on Africa will be organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry on November 1st-2nd, under the patronage of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, under the theme "Next Generation Africa". It brings together 1,000 top-level participants, including government officials, policymakers, business and finance leaders, and entrepreneurs from across Africa and around the world.

The presidents of Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Uganda and Zambia have confirmed their presence in the event.

During the forum, delegates will explore the potential of leveraging technology to accelerate growth in Africa, and discuss trade and investment opportunities that are opening up across the continent. Public and private sector stakeholders from African and GCC countries will highlight recent economic trends, and identify mutual areas of cooperation and growth opportunities in key sectors that offer the most potential for foreign companies and investors.

In addition, the event will examine the role that Africa’s dynamic young entrepreneurs can play in tackling economic and societal challenges, and explore potential for forming long-term partnerships with the aim of filling market gaps and fuelling growth.

Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber, noted that this year’s forum comes at a time when Sub-Saharan African economies are experiencing robust growth, and described Africa’s rising middle class and rapid urban growth as two key trends that are creating exciting prospects, which companies in the UAE stand to benefit from.

Buamim explained that participation and interest in the Global Business Forum on Africa has grown significantly over the last four years, and added that the event now serves as an ideal platform for business, finance and government leaders to network, discuss new avenues of cooperation, and develop the fast-growing ties between Africa and Dubai.

The event is part of the Global Business Forum series launched by the Dubai Chamber which focuses on Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States, CIS, and Latin America. The series has hosted 10 heads of state, 74 ministers and dignitaries, 5,400 executives, and decision makers from 65 countries to date.

Dubai Chamber is collaborating with the Economist Group in developing the content of the forum. The previous Global Business Forum on Africa in Dubai attracted more than 1,000 participants, while more than 100 bilateral investment meetings were held during the event.