Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s former Vice President, will lead a panel discussion on “Navigating the Energy Transition” at the 10th Anniversary of the Financial Times Africa Summit scheduled for 17 October 2023, Mohammed Brimah, media officer to the former Vice President, has said.
“Prof. Osinbajo will be joined by other notable personalities at the Summit which include Patrice Trovoada, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO); Judd B. Devermont, Special Assistant to President Joe Biden and Senior Director for African Affairs, White House; Dr. Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation; James Mwangi, Founder of Climate Action Platform for Africa; Olugbenga Agboola, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, amongst others,” Brimah added.
The one-day programme is sponsored by the African Finance Corporation, European Investment Bank, Flutterwave, PUMA, Carnegie Mellon University Africa, Verto, Africaworks, among others.
“The last decade has seen the optimism of Africa Rising give way to concerns of stagnation, debt, conflict and food insecurity. Yet many of Africa’s economies have continued to grow. African tech attracts large amounts of capital and the continent’s commitment to creating a single market has resulted in many other countries paying Africa unprecedented attention, creating opportunities to attract more investment.
“How can African countries steer the right diplomatic and economic course; manage the energy transition effectively and also create the economic conditions to ensure that its young, fast-rising populations find jobs to fulfil their own aspirations and contribute to their nations’ development?” FT said.
According to the FT, the summit will focus on the energy challenge, trading with Africa, financing transformation, Africa’s digital future, healthcare and education, harnessing critical minerals, infrastructure and the population, and African arts.
In terms of benefits, the FT said 63 percent of the 2022 participants were chief executive officers, managing directors, vice presidents, directors who were among the top decision makers in their respective organisations and countries. The summit also offers participants the opportunity to join prestigious business communities across Africa and beyond.
The summit is widely recognized as one of the most important international forums for serious and productive discussion about the continent’s challenges and aspirations.
