In recent times, Africa has attracted the attention of the global investment community in a tremendous way. In June 2019, Aljazeera reported that while global Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) was dawn, Africa had shown resilience. It reported that when global FDI had fell from $1.5trillion in 2017 to $1.3trillion in 2018, Africa’s FDI had grown 11% over the same period to roughly $46billion.
A key attribute to the boost of FDI is brand promotion. It shows how well Africa is promoted to the global investor community. It is therefore not surprising to note that most of the countries that have deliberate brands out, reap the best of the fruits. Africanews.com reported that three countries stood out in 2018 when the continent’s FDI had rose by 13%. The countries; South Africa, Ghana and Ethiopia had all built strong brands to attract the attention of global investors.
Africa countries have therefore, through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), chose to foster its brand to pitch a bigger value to the world. There are therefore a number of global dialogues, conferences and meetings to showcase the value of the various countries within the continent and the continent as a whole. One such conferences is expected to take place in London from the 5th to the 7th of May 2020. Dubbed AFSIC, Investing in Africa, the conference is arguable the biggest African investment conference that takes place outside of the continent. It’s expected to assemble over 1,500 top investors and business leaders. The conference will also attract about 400 reputable speakers who will seek to promote various aspects of the continent’s resources, opportunities and values. Among the speakers are Olukorede Adenowo – CEO, Standard Chartered Bank, Gambia and Senegal, Eline Blaauboer – MD, Africa Tech Ventures, Dr. Weixi Gong – Chief, UN Industrial Development Organisation and Henry Agyei Asare – CEO, Tentmaker hub.
Speakers will engage in various presentations and discussions on topics touching on specific sectors, countries and/or opportunities. Among the country focused sessions will be Investment Opportunities in Ghana session. The session which will seek to highlight the array of opportunities available in Ghana, the branded investment gateway to Africa, will have Henry Agyei Asare of Tentmaker hub, an investment and Financial analyst together with Ishmael Dodoo of Greenhill Capital, Michael Edem Akafia of Goldfields Ghana, Bernard Takyi Oduro of Omanbapa Ghana Limited and five others.
Speaking about the conference, Mr. Henry Agyei Asare whose organisation, Tentmaker, is a local partner to the conference indicated the importance of such conferences in driving FDIs, connecting Africans in the diaspora and the global investor community to the stupendous green ocean opportunities available in Africa. He indicated that majority of the about 200million Africans living in the diaspora are looking for ways to integrate back home, therefore such conferences are needed as vehicles for their integration.
AFSIC is also open to African organisations and entrepreneurs seeking investment and partnership. Interested individuals and organisation can register online or contact Tentmaker for a discount code for registration.