Private Sector Investment Conference, 24 - 25 February 2015, Kinshasa, DRC

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Conference agenda

The Great Lakes Private Sector Investment Conference

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo,

Pullman Hotel

24 – 25 February 2016

Theme: Investing in the Great Lakes: Making Business, Promoting Peace and Development

In fulfilment of the objectives of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement, signed by the countries of the Great Lakes region of Africa, the Great Lakes Private Sector Investment Conference (PSIC) aims to mobilize investments to spur the transformation of the region, through the promotion of regional projects that significantly increase employment, improve productivity, expand connectivity of the region to value markets, including intra-regional trade, and promote the spirit of shared prosperity across countries while yielding significant returns on investments. Countries of the region would also feature national exhibition stands to promote national projects and interact with investors.

The Conference will provide participants the platform for public-private sector dialogue on investments, and networking opportunities from the diverse participants drawn from high level government officials from across the region, and over 350 participants from all over the world. Participants will benefit from the opportunity to:

Gain knowledge of the economies of the countries in the region, the institutional and regulatory frameworks in place to facilitate investments, participate in dialogue to improve the investment climate and promote responsible business conduct in the region;
Identify emerging long term investment opportunities, avail of projects that are bankable, ready for business and conform to inclusive and responsible investment requirements. Match potential investors to projects promoters in the following conference priority areas: agriculture; infrastructure; mining; energy; information, communication, technology; tourism; and finance; and
Participate in discussions to build public-private partnerships.

Day 1: 24 February 2016

08.00 - 09.20 Arrival at the venue of the opening ceremony, [Cite de l’OUA]

09.20 - 09.30 Video Presentation on the economic potential and investment prospects of the Great Lakes region of Africa.

09.30 - 10.20 Opening Statements and Welcome Remarks [Cite de l’OUA]

Mr. Albert Yuma, President, Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC)
H.E. Dr. Elham A.M. Ibrahim, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission
H.E. Mr. BAN Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization
Heads of State present
H.E. Vice-President Manuel Domingos Vicente, Vice-President of the Republic of Angola
H.E. President Joseph Kabila Kabange of the Democratic Republic of Congo

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]

Day 2: 25 February 2016

08.00 – 09.00 Arrival

09.00 – 10.30 Plenary Session 2 – Investment Climate: Challenges and Opportunities

[Marquee – Pullman Hotel]

Africa’s sustained growth over the past two decades was driven by a mixture of prudent macro-economic policy environment, favorable commodity prices, and increasing investment inflows, albeit in only a few sectors and countries. While Great Lakes region countries have dedicated significant efforts to improve the investment climate for attracting investment into national projects, regional projects require more concerted efforts and mechanisms at the regional level to create the right climate for investment. This Plenary Session will explore the challenges to investing in regional projects, the opportunities to creating regional frameworks to support such investments and what governments of the region can do to improve the investment climate in order to attract investment into regional projects.

Moderator: Professor Daniel Samba Mukoko, Former vice Prime Minister and Minister of Budget

Panelists:

Mr. Nathan de Assis, Executive Director, Equity Capital Resources, Zambia
Dr. Frannie Léautier, Partner & Chief Executive Officer, Mkoba Private Equity Fund, Tanzania
Mr. Ladell Robbins, Vice-President and Investment Officer, African Capital Alliance, Nigeria
Mr. Anthony Siwawa, Founder and Managing Director, Venture Partners

10.30 – 11.00 Tea Break

11.00 – 12.30 Thematic Breakout Sessions

Thematic Session 5 – Mining [Salonga – Pullman Hotel]

The African Great Lakes region hosts significant proportions of a variety of the world’s deposits of mineral resources. The mining sector is a significant source of employment and earnings for the most countries, but minerals have also been significant drivers of conflicts in the region. The regional and international community has responded with a number of frameworks that could govern the exploitation of minerals and their proceeds, but some seem to inadvertently operate as to impede achieving the objectives of other frameworks. This panel will explore the challenges to exploring mineral resources in the Great Lakes region, the opportunities for exploring them in a responsible manner, and the role of government in ensuring responsible exploitation of minerals.

Moderator: Mr. Jean Bakole, UNIDO Regional Director

Panelists:

Mr. Sacha Backes, Senior Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
- Mr. Claude Baissac¸ Chief Executive Officer, Eunomix
- Mr. Boris Kamstra, Chief Executive Officer, Alphamin Resources
Mr. Andre Kapanga, General Manager, Tenke Mining
Ms. Yvette Mwanza, President of the North Kivu Chamber of Businesses and Traders

Thematic Session 6 – ICT [L’Étoile (9th floor) – Pullman Hotel]

Innovative technological changes, conceived and created in Africa, are changing the way business is being done in the Great Lakes region and spreading across the world. ICT is playing a leading role in achieving some of Africa’s sustainable development goals such as financial inclusion and market information sharing. Mobile telephony is facilitating participation of rural populations in formal financial and marketing sectors through African solutions to African challenges. It is a young, growing industry, with the younger population of Africa clearly leading the way. Panelists will discuss the challenges and opportunities for innovation and transformation in a continent where access to electricity is still patchy, and connectivity is still unreliable, but opportunities abound to overcome these issues taking advantage of African traditional and increasingly urbanizing cultures.

Moderator: Ms. Juliana Rotich, CEO and Co-Founder of Ushaidi and BRCK (Internet Access built for Africa)

Panelists:

Mr. Christian Doyen, Head of Africa Operations, PYCO Group
Ms. Alice Kariuki, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Airtel Africa
Mr. Hans Kuipers, Partner and Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group

Thematic Session 7 – Finance [Marquee – Pullman Hotel]

Consultation with micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the Great Lakes region over the past year has pointed to significant challenges to access affordable finance, high cost of credit, stringent terms and lack of support for long-term investments. Trans-border projects are constrained in attracting financing on a long-term basis, often due to differential financial policies across borders. This session will explore the challenges to growing the finance sector in the Great Lakes region, the opportunities for shared prosperity and economic growth and the responsibilities of different stakeholders to make finance work for the Great Lakes region.

Moderator: Professor François Kabuya Kalala, Professor of Macroeconomy and Banking, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Panelists:

Mr. Wale Adeosun, Founder and CEO, Kuramo Capital Management
Mr. Eric Mboma, Chief Executive Standard Bank, DRC
Mr. Henry O. Ajagbawa, Consultant, International School of Management, former Executive Director, Ecobank

12.30 - 13.30 Lunch

13.30 - 14.00 Testimonial: The role of investors and their potential contribution to lasting peace and development processes

The Guest Speaker at this session will reflect on the role of investors in contributing to peace processes, including identifying the key challenges to greater engagement, attracting global investment, lessons learned, and recommendations on how to overcome these challenges.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, Chairperson of the United Africa Group

14.00 – 15.00 Report back Plenary Session: Reports from the various breakout sessions will be presented and discussed.

Rapporteur: Mr. Modibo Touré, Assistant Secretary-General, Department of Political Affairs, United Nations

15.00 – 16.00 Closing Plenary-Statements

Mr. Neven Mimica, Commissioner for International Cooperation and development, European Union
Representative of the Government of the DRC
Prof Ntumba Luaba, Executive Secretary, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR)
Mr. Said Djinnit, Special Envoy of the Secretary General for the Great Lakes region, United Nations

16.00 – 17.00 Press Conference

17.00 Cocktail

Departure

ORGANIZED BY

FINAL REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE

	Executive Summary

	Full Report

Testimonies

"There is no way the private sector will be able to drive the economy without the cooperation of the government. They are the facilitators, they need to roll out good policies for you to even be interested in investing." (Aliko Dangote in African Business, Number 423, October 2015)

"There is nowhere foreign investors can generate the kind of returns Africa offers. You are talking about 30% return on your investment. It is a good place to invest." (Aliko Dangote in African Business, Number 423, October 2015)

VIDEOS

Conference Agenda

Conference Agenda

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