Forum to chart Africa's economic transformation set for Rwanda

The inaugural African Transformation Forum (ATF) will take place 14-15 March 2016 in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

“Each country must chart its own course toward development,” said Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, “but cooperation – even just to exchange ideas and emulate best practices – can help the process considerably.”

The ATF, he added, “will convene leading figures from African governments, business and civil society to discuss practical next steps toward transformation in Africa, and the broader push to build globally competitive economies.”

The aim of the Forum, according to the organizers, is to bring together African governments and some of Africa and the world’s leading development experts to chart a path for Africa’s much needed economic transformation.

“We are reshaping the way that Africa thinks about its obstacles and the solutions to overcoming them,” said Dr. K.Y. Amoako, President of ACET.

The ATF will introduce the Coalition for Transformation in Africa—a leadership network organized in Chapters, each focused on a specific and vital area of economic development.

“The Coalition for Transformation will be the first of its kind, a robust and lasting mechanism for the design and promulgation of a positive economic agenda,” added Dr. Amoako.

Chapter members, composed of government representatives, business leaders, international experts and development partners, will continue meeting and working beyond the Forum and report back on their activities at the next gathering.

Discussion topics during the Forum will include: improving skills and creating meaningful jobs for Africa’s rapidly increasing youth workforce; modernizing agriculture and expanding agro-industry; promoting light manufacturing; deepening financial inclusion; facilitating trade and regional integration and the sustainable management of natural resources.

Speakers are expected to include Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda; Carlos Lopes, ECA Executive Secretary; Ashish Thakkar, founder Mara Group and Chair, UN Foundation for Global Entrepreneur Council; Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank and Makhtar Diop, World Bank Vice-President for Africa.

The event is supported by the Ford Foundation, The MasterCard Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Coca-Cola Company, and the Government of the Netherlands.