2:30 – 7 p.m.: Participants’ registration (level 2)
3 – 5 p.m.: Musical concert by Jacques Greg Belobo
Pierre Mercure Hall of the Pierre Péladeau Centre
300 Maisonneuve Blvd E., Montreal
7:30 p.m.: Opening cocktail reception courtesy of Export Québec. Drummond Room.
Master of Ceremonies: Karl Miville-de Chêne, President of Contacts Monde
7 – 8 a.m.: Participants’ registration (level 2)
7 – 8:30 a.m.: Private, invitation-only breakfast of the Bourse régionale des Valeurs mobilières (BRVM – regional stock exchange). Salon 1.
8 – 9 a.m.: Breakfast (buffet). Drummond Room.
8:30 – 9 a.m.: Official opening of Forum Afrique Expansion. Drummond Room.
Acknowledgments by: Jean-Louis Roy, President of Partenariat International and former Secrétaire Général de l’Agence de la Francophonie (1990-1998)
9 – 9:15 a.m.: Opening conference: African Business Roundtable - Samuel Dossou-Aworet, President
9:15 – 9:30 a.m.: Casablanca Finance City – Saïd Ibrahimi, President and CEO
9:35 – 11:35 a.m.: Panel – “DOING BUSINESS IN AFRICA”
Drummond Room.
According to experts at the African Development Bank (AfDB), establishing a business climate that is favourable to enterprises is a key step in the development of a dynamic private sector, which is crucial to the transformation of Africa. A dynamic private sector is what drives productivity, economic growth and income growth. Today, the private sector generates 90% of all jobs in Africa, two thirds of its investment, and 70% of its production. A large, well-structured and diversified private sector that contributes to the tax base and to services can help bring about policy reform that can lead to good governance. To achieve broad, inclusive growth, enterprises have more options at their disposal for creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. Reforms have been introduced and things are gradually improving. What is the current status of Africa’s new business climate?
Introduction: Roland Kwemain, President of Go Ahead Africa
Moderator: Pierre Boivin, partner at law firm McCarthy Tétrault
Panelists:
12 noon – 2 p.m.: Luncheon conference: Guest of honour: Christine ST-PIERRE, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie
Introduced by: Jean-Louis Roy, President of Partenariat International and former Secrétaire Général de l’Agence de la Francophonie (1990-1998)
Acknowledgments by: Aldéa Landry, Deputy Premier of New Brunswick (1987-1991)
2 – 5 p.m.: B2B meetings. Salons 4 and 5.
2:15 – 3:55 p.m.: Panel – “AFRICA’S DIGITAL REVOLUTION”
Drummond Room.
In a report by the World Bank on development around the globe, senior economist Kaushik Basu observed: “The digital revolution is transforming the world, facilitating the flow of information and the rise of developing countries that are able to take advantage of its new opportunities.” Africa has numerous challenges in this area, including: adapting its industries to the new digital reality; aligning computer technology with environmental priorities, including renewable energy sources; the development of new computer-related industries; the development of digital infrastructure (cable and fibre optics); the development of trained, qualified labour for the new digital trades and other promising sectors. To reap the greatest benefit, how can African countries create an environment suitable for digital technology while attracting more investment into this sector? What regulatory framework needs to be put in place to stimulate competition, market entry, and the acquisition of the necessary skills that will contribute to the acceleration of development?
Moderator: Raïssa Okoï, Development and Partnerships Manager, Voxafrica
Part 1: Announcement of the “Deal of the Year”
Part 2:
Panelists:
4 – 5:30 p.m.: Panel – “THE ELECTRIFICATION OF AFRICA: POWER AFRICA”
Drummond Room.
Access to energy is a fundamental need, not only for meeting health and education objectives, but also to reduce the cost of doing business, fulfill economic potential and create jobs. The African Development Bank (AfDB), among other promoters, has launched an Energy Pact for Africa. Its aim is to help bring about guaranteed access to electricity for all by 2025, particularly by encouraging solutions that promote clean, renewable sources. This is in step with other initiatives, such as that of former President Barack Obama or the foundation spearheaded by international star Akon. Currently, what is the status of such solutions and projects, and what parties are involved in their creation and implementation? With needs that are immense and investment that is sorely needed, what technologies can be introduced for the greatest benefit of all?
Introduction: Alain Sayegh, Director, Integration of new technologies, Hydro-Québec Distribution
Moderator: Benoît Lasalle, President and CEO, Windiga Energy (Canada)
Panelists:
Closing remarks by Alain Carrier, Coordinator – Africa And Middle East Markets Ministry of Economy, Science and of Quebec
5:30 – 8 p.m.: Networking cocktail reception courtesy of AFREXIMBANK
Drummond Room.
Remarks by Obi Emekekwue, Director of Communications and Event Management, Afreximbank
7:30 – 9 a.m.: Women’s breakfast conference (invitation only)
Salon 1.
“THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN”
Over the past decade, the role of women in decision making in business has been greatly debated. Women’s empowerment has also been the subject of much discussion. This year, Forum Afrique Expansion broaches the topic once again, yielding the floor to the women. The United Nations defines women’s empowerment according to five main criteria: dignity; the right to self-determination and making one’s own choices; access to resources and opportunities; control over one’s life both inside and outside the home; and the capacity to influence social change in order to help create a fairer economic and social order, both on a national and international level. Today, what battles are being waged for this progress in the francophone countries? Political officials and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds will share their experiences and information on this issue, in terms of public policies and the reality in the field.
HOST: Isabelle Limoges
GUEST PERSONALITIES:
With the presence of: 20 other influential women
8 – 9 a.m.: Participants’ registration (level 2)
8 – 9 a.m.: Breakfast (buffet). Drummond Room.
9 – 10 a.m.: PANEL – A NETWORK OF AFRICAN TPOs FOR A “MADE IN AFRICA” LABEL
Drummond Room.
Africa’s network of trade promotion organizations, or TPOs, was created in December 2014 in Casablanca and to date has 14 member countries: Morocco, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Tanzania, Chad and Madagascar. Its mission is to strengthen cooperation between the members and to make the case for the advancement of the Made in Africa label within Africa and around the world. The network is a laboratory of ideas for promoting the Made in Africa label by examining the possible sectoral complementarities between the countries and taking concerted action to develop the African economy.
This gathering will provide TPOs an opportunity to: discuss how to strengthen their inter-institutional cooperation; share information on innovative initiatives in the promotion of trade and investment; and establish the good practices to implement in order to pursue the economic development of their respective countries.
What mechanisms can the network put in place in order to promote the “Made in Africa” label on a global scale?
Moderator: ZAHRA MAAFIRI, Executive Director, Maroc Export (Moroccan Centre for the Promotion of Exports)
Panelists:
9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.: B2B meetings
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.: Afreximbank – Obi Emekekwue, Director of Communications and Event Management
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Panel – “FINANCING OF PROJECTS IN AFRICA”
Drummond Room.
Engaged on the path toward emergence and determined to reach its multiple development objectives, Africa remains largely under-equipped and shows a chronic energy deficit. Numerous programs have been introduced to remedy this, yet they still await substantial financial support in order to move ahead. In most cases, the decision has been made to develop Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), yet despite this, the resources required remain insufficient. From transportation infrastructure to electric power generation facilities, a number of sectors are open to North American investors, for financing and also for the provision of services and equipment.
As well, business development and the growth of the African economy rely on the densification of small and medium-sized entrerprises (SMEs) within the economy. To date, however, SMEs in Africa have access only to limited funding, which is an obstacle to emergence and subsequent development. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), there is a broad consensus as to the key role that SMEs can play in reducing poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals in African nations. Numerous SMEs come up with very interesting projects, but to fulfill their potential they require better access to bank credit. New mechanisms are now in place, however, and this dynamic is part of the significant improvement of the business climate in Africa. As a result, many financial institutions and foundations now play an important role in granting substantial amounts in funding. How can new investors be attracted to Africa for the structure-building projects? Which sectors and which offerings require the most funding for SMEs? How can SME-specific projects be steered successfully, and what doors need to be knocked on?
Moderator: Jean-Philippe Prosper, Corporate independant Manager - Vice President, International Finance Corporation (IFC) – World Bank Group (2013-2015)
Panelists:
12 noon – 2 p.m.: Luncheon conference – “Business Opportunities in Morocco”
Guest of honour: Ms. Zahra Maafiri
Acknowledgments by: Ms. Danièle Henkel, Ambassador of Forum Afrique Expansion 2017
3 p.m.: Signing and announcement of MoUs
3:15 – 4 p.m.: Press conference by the Head of the Moroccan delegation
6 – 7 p.m.: Networking cocktail reception courtesy of Maroc Export
7 – 10 p.m.: Gala evening, under the High Patronage of the Kingdom of Morocco
Ballroom.
Mistress of Ceremonies: Selma Regragui, Founder and Director of 2C Communications
Handing out of the Afrique Expansion Excellence Awards, plus a tribute to the great builders.
Acknowledgments, musical performances, and a prize draw.