World Economic Forum on Africa "Going for Growth"

1 May 2006 - Geneva, Switzerland

Top African political and business leaders will participate in the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa from 31 May – 2 June 2006 to discuss Africa’s next steps along a sustainable growth path.

Under the theme “Going for Growth”, the continent’s premier gathering of leaders in business, politics and civil society will identify action priorities to sustain a 5% growth rate, engage business as a catalyst for change in Africa, draw lessons from best-performing states and sectors, address new risks and assess new opportunities.

Over 700 participants will review what was delivered during the ’Year of Africa’ in 2005 and what is in the pipeline. They will analyse the impact of China and India on Africa as well as ways to improve the branding and perception of the continent.

“The World Economic Forum on Africa will focus on the individual success stories driving growth and discuss ways to scale up these pockets of success”, said Haiko Alfeld, Director for Africa of the World Economic Forum. “Business has a key role in building credibility of reform and rebranding efforts, not least to counter the ’collective contagion’ still afflicting Africa,” he added.

Among the participants are South African President Thabo Mbeki (photo), President Armando Emilio Guebuza of Mozambique (photo) and President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania.

The co-chairs of the World Economic Forum on Africa are Syamal Gupta, Chairman, Tata International, India; Jim Goodnight, Chief Executive Officer, SAS Institute, USA; Maria Ramos, Chief Executive Officer, Transnet, South Africa; and Charles Soludo, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

For a list of other leading participants, click here: www.weforum.org/africa/participants.

Among other initiatives at the World Economic Forum on Africa, the Forum will launch a business alliance to reduce chronic hunger on the continent. In this proposed public-private partnership, committed Forum member companies and hunger experts will design a model for businesses to work together to attack the root causes of hunger through initiatives including expanding rural market systems, disseminating effective business models and microfinance.

Political and business leaders will take part in a globally televised BBC World Debate from the Forum 2006 on The Future of African Growth, which will be moderated by Nik Gowing.

Note to Editors:
# Media Accreditation: Media wishing to cover the World Economic Forum on Africa should sign up and submit their registration on our new online registration site at www.weforummedia.org by 12 May.
# Picture Library: For free, print-quality photos of past regional meetings go to www.pbase.com/forumweb
# More information about the World Economic Forum on Africa is available at www.weforum.org/africa.
# The Programme of the meeting can be downloaded at www.weforum.org/africa/programme
# The official host broadcaster, SABC (www.sabcnews.com) will provide video and audio tape play outs of the plenary sessions.

Photos of our events can be downloaded free of charge for journalists at http://www.swiss-image.ch/worldeconomicforum (login required).
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The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. (www.weforum.org)

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