Africa to host SME-focused global finance, investment forum

This year’s Africa Finance and Investment Forum (AFIF2015) will focus on “Access to Finance & Entrepreneurship” and will be held for the first time on Africa soil, in Cape Town, South Africa.

AFIF2015, which is opened to all interested individuals and organisations in Africa and beyond, will be organised by European Marketing Research Centre (EMRC) in collaboration with the European Investment Bank (EIB) between November 24 and 26, this year. A first for EMRC’s annual international financial gathering, AFIF2015 will bring together different regions of the world with a common drive to fulfil Sub-Sahara Africa’s potential.

This year’s partnership with EIB, which is the largest multilateral borrower and lender by volume providing finance and expertise, will ensure a North and South perspective to the discussions and policy evaluations.

Patrick Walsh, director in charge of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) lending department of the European Investment Bank, has this to say: “In line with the EU’s ‘Agenda for Change’, in the coming years the Bank will have a renewed focus on private sector development (70percent of its annual activity in sub-Saharan Africa), recognised as a key driver of sustainable growth.”

Lord Boateng, a confirmed keynote speaker, formerly chief secretary of the United Kingdom and Britain’s High Commissioner to South Africa (2005-2009), views the upcoming forum as a significant event. Boateng says, “The AFIF 2015 Conference provides an exciting opportunity for policy makers, academics, and practitioners, to come together to explore best practice and chart the way forward, in this critical year in which sustainable development takes centre stage. I look forward to joining in the discussions.”

EMRC’s partnership with the likes of DEG which promotes business initiatives in developing and emerging market countries, Afreximbank, EIB, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Rabobank Foundation, Islamic Corporation of the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and Bank of Development of Brazil (BNDES), among others, has made AFIF over the years become the annual meeting offering pro-active and goal-driven sessions with a focus on establishing tangible results for speakers, partners and, most importantly, participants.

With an expected 300 people from all over the world, the three-day event will see policymakers, financiers, bankers and private sector entrepreneurs discuss and find practical business solutions to SME and other issues. AFIF is a pragmatic and business oriented experience, which rewards participants with substantial business contacts, especially those are prepared and have identified their key needs. AFIF regroups three key target groups: Entrepreneurs (project owners and CEOs ), financial institutions (banks) and investors interested in investing directly in banks or projects (DFIs/IFIs/foundations).

“AFIF is addressed to all those from North  and South that never stopped believing in the potential of Africa and truly see it as a continent of countless opportunities, of challenges, of fearless entrepreneurs, where many good things can happen,” Ines Bastos, EMRC senior project manager, said. This philosophy is put into practice through the B2B meetings, which are tailor-made to ensure maximum business partnership success.

Last year’s forum saw over 500 such meetings taking place. In addition, there will be information stands where delegates can hold one-on-one discussions with investors and foundation representatives, among others. The forum will provide simultaneous interpretation in English, French and Portuguese.

OLUYINKA ALAWODE