Event Details
A 2011 study by the Economist found that over the last 10 years, no fewer than six of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies were in sub-Saharan Africa. Even more optimistically, the IMF forecasts that over the next 5 years seven of the world’s top ten fastest growing economies will be in Africa and will include countries like Ethiopia, Tanzania, Congo, Ghana, Zambia and Nigeria.
What is fueling Africa’s rapid growth? An emerging middle class driving domestic demand and a host of other issues have placed Africa on the verge of a new era where it can it transform the livelihoods of millions if its inhabitants and alter its perception in the global community.
How does Africa capitalize on this unique opportunity to create wealth and sustainable development that can alleviate poverty? What are the strategies used in Africa to address the challenges that slow down progress including poor governance, inadequate infrastructure, healthcare and education? How can technology and social entrepreneurship be leveraged to address these challenges? Through keynote addresses, panel discussions and breakout sessions the 2nd annual Chicago Business Symposium will provide a forum to address these issues and will showcase business leaders, policy makers and entrepreneurs that are shaping the region.
Booth / University of Chicago Student & Partner: $20.00
Non-University of Chicago Student: $35.00
University of Chicago Alumni / Faculty / Staff: $50.00
General Public: $60.00
CABG, AAMBAA & BCG Member:FREE
Program
11:00 AM-11:45 AM: Registration
11:45 AM-11:50 AM: Symposium Opening
11:50 AM-12:00 PM: Welcome Remarks
12:00 PM-1:00 PM: Opening Keynote Address / Networking Lunch
1:15 PM-2:15 PM: Panel Session #1: Investing in Africa
2:30 PM-3:15 PM: Panel Session #2: Africa: A Case Study for Innovation
4:30 PM-5:15 PM: Closing Remarks
5:15 PM-6:30 PM: Networking Cocktails
Speaker Profiles
Mr Haskell Ward (Speaker)
Senior Vice President, SEACOM
http://www.seacom.mu
Mr. Ward has been an officer of two major African infrastructure investment projects. For nearly a decade, he was an officer in Global Alumina, a major energy and mining company. At Global Alumina, he was responsible for managing the company’s relationships with key government officials and non-governmental organizations including the U.N., USAID and the World Bank. He is currently Senior Vice President of SEACOM. SEACOM is the first cable to provide broadband to countries in East Africa. SEACOM is a privately funded and over three quarter African owned undersea fibre optic cable that is assisting communication carriers in South and East Africa through the sale of wholesale international capacity to global networks via India and Europe.
Mr. Ward began his professional career as a volunteer in Kenya in 1962 and was a member of one of the first groups of Peace Corps volunteers, posted to Ethiopia. He also worked for the Ford Foundation where he specialized in economic development programs and strategies for the Middle East and Africa. Ward has served as deputy assistant secretary of state and as deputy mayor of New York City. He is the author of “African Development Reconsidered: New Perspectives from the Continent,” widely used as a college textbook on African development issues. Previously as a senior vice president at Global Alumina Corp., Ward helps manage its relationships with key government officials and non-governmental organizations, including the U.N., USAID and the World Bank. Ward is married to Leah Sears, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, and resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mr. Paul Derreumaux (Speaker)
Founder and Former Chairman, Bank of Africa Group
http://www.bank-of-africa.net/home.htm
Mr. Derreumaux is the founding member of the Bank of Africa Group, which started as BOA – Mali in 1982. At a professional level, Mr. Derreumaux has held various positions such as: Counselor at the Ministry of Plan in France, Counselor at the Ivorian Ministry of Plan, Finances and Economy. He was also the official representative of the French Agency for Economic Cooperation. In a different capacity, Mr. Derreumaux served as the Assistant Director of PROMOCI company in Paris in charge of Investment projects in Africa and advising African governments concerning public finances and planning. Additionally, Mr. Derreumaux held the position of President of the Francophone African Bank Managers, and counselor of the French External Trade Department. In his spare time, Mr. Derreumaux enjoys reading extensively on current affairs, traveling whenever time permits in his busy schedules and engaging with various associations for development initiatives. Paul Derreumaux grew up in France and holds a Masters degree in Economics.
Francis Kalitsi (Panelist)
Managing Partner, Serengeti Capital
http://www.serengeticap.com/
Kathryn King (Panelist)
Engagement Manager, McKinsey & Company
www.mckinsey.com
Jerry Macauley (Speaker)
Associate Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
www.ifc.org/
Eric T. Mboma (Speaker)
West & Central Africa Business Development Special Advisor, BHP Billiton
www.bhpbilliton.com
Kenny Olantunji (Speaker)
Managing Partner, McKay Legal
www.mckaylegal.com
Rotini Sekoni (Moderator)
Managing Partner, Cloudleap Partners
http://www.cloudleappartners.com/
Femi Akinde (Speaker)
Founder & CEO, SlimTrader
https://www.slimtrader.com/
Gregory Marchand (Speaker)
Founder & CEO, Gizmos Zambia
http://gizmoszambia.com/about_us
Richmond Nyarko (Speaker)
Head of Business and Creative Services, New Media Format
http://www.newmediaformat.co.uk/
Seyi Fabode (Moderator)
Founder, Power2Switch
www.power2switch.com/
Charles Abramson (Speaker)
President & CEO, Terra Endeavors
http://www.terraendeavors.net
Jason Gonzales (Speaker)
Founder & CEO, AquaVida
http://www.aquavida.org
Dr. Amy Lehman (Speaker)
Founder, Lake Tanganyika Floating Health Clinic
http://floatingclinic.org/