10.20 – 10.40 Break
10.40 – 11.15 High Level Panel - The Role of Governments in Facilitating Responsible Business in the Great Lakes Region [Cite de l’OUA]
The fourth Regional commitment of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework of the DRC and the region, requires member States to promote regional cooperation and economic integration. It is on this basis that the Great Lakes Private Sector Investment Conference was approved by the Signatories. The process has identified illustrative investment opportunities as well as highlighted challenges for turning these opportunities into beneficial activities for the region. This session will provide the leadership of the region the opportunity to share and engage with private sector participants on measures to improve the business and investment climate, and to promote private sector development, particularly for integrated projects in the region.
Moderator: Mr. Amadou Mahtar Ba, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, AllAfrica Global Media
Panelists: Heads of Government delegations of the PSC-F countries.
11.15 – 12.45 Plenary 1: Promoting Responsible Business in the Great Lakes region [Cite de l’OUA]
Responsible business conduct is growing increasingly. It entails a partnership where governments provide the conducive environment, appropriate incentives and legal framework for companies to thrive and efficiently contribute to economic, environmental and social development, while mitigating adverse impacts arising from their operations. This Plenary session will explore how responsible business conduct in investment and sound public policy can contribute to durable peace and stability while also providing high returns on investments for sustainable economic and social development in the Great Lakes region.
Moderator: Mr. Daniel Makokera, Chief Executive Officer, Pamuzinda Productions
Panelists:
- Mr. Jonas Borglin, Chief Executive Officer, International Council of Swedish Industry
- Mr. Stephen Chege, Director of Corporate Affairs, Safaricom Limited
- Dr. Frannie Léautier, Chairperson & Co-founding partner, Mkoba Private Equity Fund, Tanzania
- Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, Director General, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)
13.30 – 14.30 Lunchtime – Presentation on the Investment Opportunities Brief [Marquee - Pullman Hotel]
The presentation will focus on investment opportunities identified during a four month consultative process in the Great Lakes region, which involved stakeholders, including government officials, private sector, project promoters, and development partners.
Moderator: Dr. Mamadou Diallo, Deputy Special Representative of Secretary General (MONUSCO), DRC Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative
Presenter: Mr. Tomas Sales, Special Advisor, UNDP Private Sector African Inclusive Markets Unit
14.30 – 16.30 Thematic Breakout Sessions
Thematic Session 1 – Infrastructure [Marquee - Pullman Hotel]
It is widely acknowledged that infrastructure is a key catalyst for development and transformation, much more so for the Great Lakes region with half of its members landlocked. Eastern DRC, for example, is closer to capitals and ports in neighboring countries than its own national capital and sea ports. This session aims to discuss how to harness the opportunities, overcome the challenges and identify the roles that stakeholders and duty bearers can play in the region to unlock infrastructural potential to develop and transform the region, and to contribute to durable peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
Moderator: Dr. Elham Ahmed Mahmoud Ibrahim, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union
Panelists:
- Mr. Wamuka Mwamuka¸ Commercial Executive, Grindrod Rail
- H.E. Sindiso Ngwenya Secretary-General, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
- Mr. Admassu Tadesse, Chief Executive Officer, Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (PTA Bank)
Thematic Session 2 – Energy [Salonga – Pullman Hotel]
Despite the rich endowments of energy resources and the potential to generate significant amounts of clean energy, the Great Lakes region is seriously deficient in energy supply. The cost of energy is prohibitive, escalating production costs, inhibiting productivity improvement, and curtailing the region’s industrialization aspirations. This session aims to discuss how to harness the opportunities, overcome the challenges and determine the roles that stakeholders and duty bearers can play in the region in unlocking this potential to develop and transform the region as well as contribute to durable peace, stability and shared prosperity.
Moderator: Henri Boyé,Senior Energy Expert
Panelists:
- Mr. Jaime Barragan, Head of Unit, Country Relations and Public Sector, West and Central Africa, European Investment Bank,
- Mr. Vika di Panzu, Director General, Katanga Energy
- H.E. Jeannot Matadi Nenga Gamanda, Minister of Energy and Hydraulic Resources, DRC
- Mr. Pierre Kalinganire, Board Director,Rwanda Energy Private Developers
Thematic Session 3 - Agriculture [L’Étoile (9th floor) – Pullman Hotel]
The Great Lakes region hosts nearly half of Africa’s arable land, yet many of its members are net food and agricultural products importers. Agriculture is the principal economic sector and a key source of jobs and improved livelihoods for all of the countries. However, agricultural production and private sector investment in production and processing/marketing, remains sub-optimal. This session will explore the key opportunities and challenges for the region’s agribusiness sector, how to improve conditions for commercial agriculture and linkages to small holders to support increased food security, job creation and improved livelihoods. It will also explore the potential for cross-border agricultural value chains, how to build and improve their international competitiveness.
Moderator: Mary-Jean Moyo, Regional Head of Industry, Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services, Sub-Saharan Africa, International Finance Corporation
Panelists:
- Mr. Mounir Bakhressa, Managing Director, Bakhressa Group
- Mr. Jean Claude Kayisinga, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Agriculture Export Board, Rwanda
- Mr. Valentine Miheso, Agriculture Specialist, Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa
- Ms. Esperance Nzuzi, President, FOPAKO (Fédération des organisations paysannes du Congo Central)
- Mr. John M. Ulimwengu, PhD, Senior Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister, Democratic Republic of Congo
Thematic Session 4 – Tourism [Tumba – Pullman Hotel]
Despite hosting diverse and some of the richest natural resources and wonders of the world, the significant tourism potential in the Great Lakes region remains largely under-exploited, attracting less than one per cent of global tourism. This session will discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist for regional approaches to tourism, highlighting new initiatives to develop eco-tourism, where preservation and profits go hand in hand with cross-border cooperation and sustainable environmental concerns.
Moderator: Luuk Zonneveld, Chief Executive Officer, Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries.
Panelists:
- H.E. Elvis Mutiri wa Bushara, Minister of Tourism, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Dr. Georges Muamba, Executive Secretary, Greater Virunga Parks (GVTC)
- Mr. Funsho Peters, Chief Operating Officer, Afro Tourism
16.30 – 17.00 Tea Break and Press Conference
17.00 -19.00 Networking and Investment Exhibition Fair: Participants will tour the exhibition space to learn about the range of investment opportunities in Great Lakes region. Exhibition stalls will remain open throughout the conference.
19.00 – 21.00 Banquet [Cite de l’OUA]