Key business leaders across Africa to discuss the continent’s economic trends

Selected business leaders and policy makers from across the African continent will this weekend converge at Windsor Golf & Country Club in Nairobi to discuss the mega trends in Africa. 

The forum organized by Strathmore Business School (SBS), business leaders among them Kenyan Industrialist Dr. Manu Chandaria, Keroche Breweries Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Tabitha Karanja and Prof. Reid, Whitlock, Chief Executive Officer, Tony Elumelu Foundation, will discuss the growing trends in key economic sectors and prospects for the African continent with a view of providing insights for the continent’s growth in the next decade.

The forum which will have a panel discussion, is mainly drawn from the SBS Alumni, will explore the empirical prospects of the recent developments in the ICT and energy sectors, which are projected to change the fortunes of the continent in the wake of increased investment.  

Announcing the event, Strathmore Business School Dean Dr. George Njenga said the forum is a one of the many forums that the business school is exploring as an avenue to share knowledge and experience drawing among key leaders and policy makers. 

“We want to provide an opportunity for leaders to share insights and chart perspectives for both governance and business leadership in Africa. There are countless precedents in Africa and many ground-breaking innovations that have heralded a new frontier of economic sustainability,” said Dr.  Njenga. 

“We recognize that Africa is quickly shaking off stereotypes of receiver of aid and sufferer of famine, and looking to build a brighter future of sustainable economic growth, investment, and growing democratic prospects,” he noted.

Other leaders expected to speak at the conference are: James Mworia, Chief Executive Officer, Centum Investments Company Limited, Theopista Ntale, Head of Wholesale Banking and Head of Women’s division at Development Finance Company of Uganda. 

Already, the African continent has registered positive results, with several nations joining the ranks of the top ten fastest growing global economies. By 2050, the continent is predicted to have the world’s second largest population, which leaders are hoping to leverage on the global trade stage in manufacturing, services and agriculture. 

The recent discovery in rich oil fields and natural gas reserves has transformed the region into an important player and a key “target” in global oil and gas production.

Similarly, developments in the ICT sector have also transformed lives on the continent with new great cases being recorded in Kenya and other countries on the continent.   In Kenya, ICT has played a major role country's growth of financial inclusion, where active bank accounts have increased from 2.5 million in 2007 to more than 12 million in half a decade. 

This forum comes at a time when SBS is celebrating its 10 years of success since its establishment in 2005.

This event comes ahead of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit that will be co-hosted by US President Barack Obama in July 2015 in the country.