Follow the World Economic Forum on Africa Live

More than 700 leaders from business, government, civil society, academia, media and the arts from over 70 countries will meet at the 22nd World Economic Forum on Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 9 to 11 May 2012.

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See what’s happening at the Meeting and join the discussion on our social networks:

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What change do you want to see in Africa by 2013

Tell us what change you want to see in Africa in the next 12 months and we will take your ideas to the people who can create the action to transform your country and improve your region. Leaders at the meeting Addis Ababa will say how they are working to transform your vision to reality on our Youtube channel.

Watch the sessions live

Watch the discussions below about the future of Africa, as they happen and on-demand, on Livestream, Facebook and our website.

Please note that there may be changes to the speaker lists, any updates will be reflected on this page.

Thursday 10 May

09.00 – 10.00 (06.00 – 07.00 GMT)

Africa’s Innovators

A rising generation of innovative entrepreneurs, investors, activists and policy-makers is transforming business and society from the grass-roots level. Who are Africa’s emerging innovators and how are they shaping Africa’s transformation?

• Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communications Technology of Nigeria
• Nick Moon, Co-Founder and Director, KickStart Kenya, Kenya; Social Entrepreneur
• Ory Okolloh, Policy Manager, Africa, Google, South Africa; Young Global Leader; Global Agenda Council on Africa
• Bright Simons, President, MPedigree Network, Ghana; Young Global Leader; Global Agenda Council on Information & Communication Technologies
• Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, Co-Founder and Managing Director, SoleRebels, Ethiopia; Young Global Leader

Moderated by

• Olanrewaju Akinola, Editor, This is Africa, Financial Times, United Kingdom

09.00 – 10.15 (06.00 – 07.15 GMT)

Africa’s Investment Heatmap

In recent years, returns on foreign direct investment in Africa have been higher than anywhere else in the world, mostly due to high commodity prices. What new sectors and geographies will provide the highest returns in the coming decade?

• Martyn Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Frontier Advisory, South Africa; Young Global Leader
• Yvonne Ike, Chief Executive Officer, West Africa, Renaissance Group, Nigeria
• Jay Ireland, Chief Executive Officer, GE Africa, GE, Kenya
• Michael Macharia, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer, Seven Seas Technologies (SST), Kenya; Global Shaper
• Geoffrey White, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Lonrho, United Kingdom

Moderated by

• Matthew Murray, Foreign Editor, Wall Street Journal, USA

10.45 – 12.00 (07.45 – 09.00 GMT)

Africa in the World Economy — From Tigers to Lions?

In eight of the past 10 years, Africa’s “lion” economies have grown faster than East Asia’s tigers. What are the priorities for the continent to emerge as a new global growth pole?

• Kofi Annan, Chairman, Africa Progress Panel (APP), Switzerland; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa; World Economic Forum Foundation Board Member
• Gao Xiqing, President and Vice-Chairman, China Investment Corporation (CIC), People’s Republic of China; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa
• Bekele Geleta, Secretary-General, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Geneva; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa
• Monhla Hlahla, Chairperson, Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC), South Africa; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa
• Donald Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Tunis; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa
• Doug McMillon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Wal-Mart International, Wal-Mart Stores, USA; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa

Opening Remarks by

• Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum
• Josette Sheeran, Vice-Chairman and Member of the Managing Board, World Economic Forum

Chaired by

• Børge Brende, Managing Director, Government Relations and Constituent Engagement, World Economic Forum

13.30 – 14.45 (10.30 – 11.45 GMT)

Advancing Africa’s Trade Agenda

Despite growth in some emerging regions, the global economy remains steeped in uncertainty with export forecasts falling and the Doha trade round in deadlock. How can the continent advance its regional and global trade agenda?

• Mahmoud Eisa, Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade of Egypt
• Jean-Louis Ekra, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, African Export-Import Bank, Egypt
• Pascal Lamy, Director-General, World Trade Organization (WTO), Geneva
• Mekonnen Manyazewal, Minister of Industry of Ethiopia
• Jaidev R. Shroff, Chief Executive Officer, United Phosphorus (UPL), India

Moderated by

• Jim Frederick, Editor, Time International, USA

13.30 – 14.45 (10.30 – 11.45 GMT)

Fostering Political Stability

Despite major progress, political and macroeconomic stability remain foremost concerns for long-term investors in many sub-Saharan economies. How can policy-makers further advance stability across the continent?

• Halima Ahmed, Political Activist and Candidate for Member of Parliament, The Youth Rehabilitation Center, Somalia; Global Shaper
• Bineta Diop, Chair of the Executive Board, Femmes Africa Solidarité, Switzerland; Global Agenda Council on Conflict Prevention
• Bekele Geleta, Secretary-General, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Geneva; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa
• Thabo Cecil Makgoba, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, South Africa
• Jean Ping, Chairperson of the Commission, African Union, Addis Ababa
• Robert Kenneth Sichinga, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry of Zambia

Moderated by

• Richard Dowden, Director, Royal African Society, United Kingdom

15.15 – 16.30 (12.15 – 13.30 GMT)

Grow Africa: Transforming African Agriculture

With access to 60% of the world’s potentially available crop land, Africa’s agriculture sector could deliver growth and food security throughout the continent and beyond. How can leaders bring about a lasting transformation in African agriculture and food security?

• Zein Abdalla, Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo Europe, Switzerland
• Fahad Bin Abdulrahman Bin Sulaiman Balghunaim, Minister of Agriculture of Saudi Arabia
• Dyborn Charlie Chibonga, Chief Executive Officer, National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM), Malawi
• Jakaya M. Kikwete, President of Tanzania
• Berry J. Marttin, Member of the Executive Board, Rabobank Group, Netherlands
• Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia

Moderated by

• Josette Sheeran, Vice-Chairman and Member of the Managing Board, World Economic Forum

15.15 – 16.30 (12.15 – 13.30 GMT)

Accelerating Job Creation

Seven of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies are forecast to be in Africa; yet, over 70% of the working-age population remains without a job or is vulnerably employed. How can growth be translated into gainful employment?

• Chinwe A. Effiong, President, Junior Achievement of Africa, Kenya
• Abdoulie Janneh, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Addis Ababa
• Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa Continent, Marriott International, United Arab Emirates
• Mohammad Omran, Chairman, Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat), United Arab Emirates
• Lars H. Thunell, Executive Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Washington DC; Global Agenda Council on Youth Unemployment

Moderated by

• Ann Bernstein, Executive Director, Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE), South Africa

17.00 – 18.15 (14.00 – 15.15 GMT)

Africa’s Leadership

Improved macroeconomic and political stability, an ongoing resource boom and a growing consumer base put Africa on the brink of a major transformation. What are the priorities for the region’s leaders to transform growth into shared opportunities for present and future generations?

• Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon
• Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President of Nigeria
• Jakaya M. Kikwete, President of Tanzania
• Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia

Chaired by

• Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum

18.15 – 18.30 (15.15 – 15.30 GMT)

Social Entrepreneurs Award for Africa 2012

Social Entrepreneurs implement innovative solutions to social and environmental problems with financially sustainable models. The Schwab Foundation announces the 2012 African Social Entrepreneurs of the Year working in different sectors and countries across the region.

Presented by

• Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum

Friday 11 May

09.00 – 10.15 (06.00 – 07.15 GMT)

Rethinking South-South Relations

Moving 5 million of China’s 85 million low-value manufacturing jobs to Africa could boost employment by 50%. As China, India and Brazil move up the industrial ladder, how is their relationship with Africa evolving and what opportunities does this present?

• Amadou Diallo, Chief Executive Officer, DHL Freight, Deutsche Post DHL, Germany
• Charles Gaëtan Xavier-Luc Duval *, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development of Mauritius
• Pravin Gordhan, Minister of Finance of South Africa
• Ashish J. Thakkar, Managing Director, Mara Group, Uganda; Young Global Leader
• Zhong Jianhua, Special Representative, African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People’s Republic of China

Moderated by

• Shantayanan Devarajan, Chief Economist, Africa Region, World Bank, Washington DC; Global Agenda Council on Poverty & Economic Development

09.00 – 10.15 (06.00 – 07.15 GMT)

Manufacturing Growth

Africa accounts for a mere 1% of global manufacturing and is losing ground in labour-intensive industries. How can the continent bolster the productivity and competitiveness of its manufacturing sector?

• Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment of Nigeria
• Sachen Chandaria, Executive Director, Orbit Chemical Industries Ltd, Kenya
• Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa
• William V. Hickey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sealed Air, USA
• Leslie W. Maasdorp, President, Southern Africa, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, South Africa; Young Global Leader; Global Agenda Council on Africa

Moderated by

• Vittorio Massone, Managing Director, sub-Saharan Africa, Bain & Company South Africa, South Africa

10.45 – 12.00 (07.45 – 09.00 GMT)

Accelerating Infrastructure Investments

In past years, transportation, energy and communication investments contributed substantially more to per capita growth than structural policies. What winning models and partnerships are accelerating infrastructure investment?

• Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2007-2010) and Chair of World Economic Forum Global Issues Group
• Ahmed Heikal, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Citadel Capital, Egypt
• Donald Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Tunis; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa
• Brian Molefe, Group Chief Executive, Transnet, South Africa
• Tidjane Thiam, Group Chief Executive, Prudential, United Kingdom; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa
• Jubril Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando, Nigeria; Young Global Leader
• Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia

Chaired by

• Robyn Curnow, Correspondent, CNN, South Africa

13.30 – 14.45 (10.30 – 11.45 GMT)

CNBC Debate: The Market Integration Challenge

The Cape to Cairo project aims to integrate 26 countries and 590 million people into one free trade zone. What does market integration really require?

In partnership with the World Economic Forum, CNBC Africa hosts this televised debate.

• Eleni Gabre-Madhin, Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopia Commodity Exchange, Ethiopia
• Pravin Gordhan, Minister of Finance of South Africa
• Erastus J. O. Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson, African Union, Addis Ababa; Global Agenda Council on Africa
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance of Nigeria
• John Rwangombwa *, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of Rwanda
• Meles Zenawi *, Prime Minister of Ethiopia

Moderated by

• Bronwyn Nielsen, Anchor, CNBC Africa, South Africa

15.15 – 16.30 (12.15 – 13.30 GMT)

Women as Africa’s Way Forward

Women are at the foundation of Africa’s political and economic transformation. How can female leadership be scaled up across businesses, institutions and governments?

• Diezani K. Alison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources of Nigeria
• Kenneth C. Frazier, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Merck & Co., USA
• Monhla Hlahla, Chairperson, Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC), South Africa; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa
• Donald Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Tunis; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa
• Charlotte Osei, Chair, National Commission for Civic Education, Ghana
• Sheila Sisulu, Deputy Executive Director, United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Rome

Moderated by

• Julie Gichuru, TV Host and Media Executive, Royal Media Services, Kenya; Young Global Leader

15.15 – 16.30 (12.15 – 13.30 GMT)

Beyond Minerals: Africa’s Future Economy

Almost 70% of sub-Saharan export revenues still come from natural resources, including oil, metals and minerals. How can the continent use its natural resource wealth to lay the foundation for economic diversification?

• Paul Collier, Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford; Director, Centre for the Study of African Economies, United Kingdom; Global Agenda Council on Fragile States
• Mohamed Lamine Fofana, Minister of Mines and Geology of Guinea
• Joseph Mathews, Head of Government and Community Relations, Mining, ArcelorMittal, United Kingdom
• Bruce McNamer, President and Chief Executive Officer, TechnoServe, USA; Social Entrepreneur
• TP Nchocho, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Development Bank of Southern Africa, South Africa

Moderated by

• Paul Kapelus, Director, Synergy Global, South Africa

17.00 – 18.15 (14.00 – 15.15 GMT)

Shaping Transformation: Africa’s Rising Leaders

Around the globe, companies and countries increasingly link their growth aspirations to the promise of Africa’s resource wealth, retail markets and talent pools. What are the hopes and aspirations of Africa’s rising leaders for the region’s transformation?

• Tewodros Ashenafi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, SouthWest Energy (HK), Ethiopia; Young Global Leader
• Yawa Hansen-Quao, Founding Director, Leading Ladies’ Network, Ghana; Global Shaper
• Euvin Naidoo, Co-President, South African Chamber of Commerce in America (SACCA), South Africa; Young Global Leader
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance of Nigeria
• Juliana Rotich, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Ushahidi, Kenya; Social Entrepreneur; Global Agenda Council on Information & Communication Technologies

Closing Remarks by

• Pravin Gordhan, Minister of Finance of South Africa

Chaired by

• Josette Sheeran, Vice-Chairman and Member of the Managing Board, World Economic Forum