Full Circle Africa Economic Conference launches with focus on sustainable economic advancement and business innovation in Africa

Los Angeles, CA – December 11, 2023 – The inaugural Full Circle Africa Economic Conference (FCAEC), the leading global conference transforming the African narrative through economic advancement while celebrating culture and heritage, will take place on December 28 and 29, 2023 in Accra, Ghana. The event was announced today by FCAEC co-founder, actor and entrepreneur, Boris Kodjoe. As a follow-up to the Full Circle Festival Year of Return event that took place in 2019, this year’s FCAEC launch event will build on Full Circle’s mission to position Africa as a premier destination for global investment.

Chaired by Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, the FCAEC is expected to convene 50 of the most prominent international business leaders, activists, academics and entertainment icons. The gathering will provide a platform for thought leaders to discuss Africa’s economic challenges and opportunities, and to develop strategies to invest in business on the continent. The FCAEC presents an important opportunity for the global community, along with local and regional participants, to explore topics like counteracting old stereotypical narratives about Africa, education infrastructure, STEM entrepreneurship, infrastructure and connectivity, sustainability, emerging technologies and fintech, engaging the African diaspora and other themes. Through a combination of panel discussions, keynote presentations, and interactive sessions, the conference will generate new ideas and commitments that will serve as a catalyst to building a more resilient and sustainable African economy.

“With a burgeoning ecosystem of bright minds, entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to solving real-world problems, Africa is poised to redefine the global economic landscape,” said Kodjoe. “The diversity of ideas and the resilience of innovators across the continent, combined with a young and dynamic population, position Africa not just a hub but a catalyst for shaping the next wave of transformative breakthroughs that will have a profound purpose and impact on the world. We are grateful to Sand Technologies, AFREXIMBANK and all our sponsors for their collaboration and generous support.”

Among the notable keynote speakers is Fred Swaniker, winner of a 2023 TIME100 Impact Award and a key figure in the movement to reshape Africa’s economic and technology ecosystems. Swaniker has built a network of innovative high-tech institutions throughout the continent that are on track to train 200,000 AI, data science and software-engineering professionals annually who will deliver critical technology projects for leading global enterprises. As the Founder and CEO of Sand Technologies, he is helping to establish Africa as the epicenter for next-generation AI and technology expertise, leadership development and talent solutions.

“The next generation of AI experts will come from Africa. That pivot is already underway, with some of the continent’s sharpest minds working with us right now to solve the world’s toughest AI and software challenges,” said Swaniker. “Global companies considering how to build a competitive advantage in this digital age should be building their technology workforce in Africa.”

Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export–Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK) and Forbes Africa Person of the Year 2023, will also be participating. He is committed to empowering African governments, businesses, and communities to realize a more stable, prosperous future in a post-AfCFTA Africa. He is an outspoken voice for increased intra-African trade.

“At Afreximbank, we are committed to making the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) work for all. The renewed reawakening of a global Africa that is sprouting across the Diaspora and among African communities, needs to convert aspirations into tangible economic gains, creating business opportunities, and building bridges that connect Africans across the oceans. FCAEC 2023 will serve as a platform and a vibrant showcase of Africa's immense trade potential, cultural richness, and entrepreneurial spirit and will lay the building blocks for a more prosperous and interconnected African & Diaspora economy,” said Prof. Oramah.

For more information, please visit fullcircleafrica.org

About Full Circle LLC

Full Circle launched in 2018 with the Full Circle Festival Year of Return, which endeavored to reconnect the African Diaspora to the continent and to change the narrative about Africa. In 2019, President Nana Akufo-Addo credited the event for playing an instrumental role in generating roughly $1.6B for the Ghanaian economy as well as significantly boosting tourism. With the FCAEC, it is furthering its mission to position Africa as a premier destination for global investment.

About Sand Technologies

Sand Technologies implements digital transformation projects for leading organizations and governments around the world. The company has particular expertise in enterprise AI, data science, software engineering and IoT, and serves its clients from delivery centers in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Explore further at www.sandtech.com.

About AFREXIMBANK

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade. For 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank is setting up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries to effectively participate in the AfCFTA. At the end of 2022, Afreximbank’s total assets and guarantees stood at over US$31 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$5.2 billion. The Bank disbursed more than US$86 billion between 2016 and 2022. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure, (together, “the Group”). For more information, visit: www.afreximbank.com

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