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Commonwealth Africa Summit 2018 seeks to unlock Africa’s economic potential

Unlocking Africa’s economic potential by increasing trade, collaboration and philanthropy within the commonwealth is set to be the focus at Commonwealth Africa Summit in London from 12 – 15 March 2018

The Summit aims to discuss the ways to promote collective action, achieve shared prosperity and common good for Africans leveraging on their relationship with the commonwealth family of nations.

Through a series of discussions the event is expected to encourage dialogue on how to strategies and mobilise valuable African resources that are critical to shaping the continent’s emerging economies.

The 5th annual event, themed Common Good, will attract government ministers, industry leaders, Chief Executives of corporations from Africa and across the Commonwealth and cabinet ministers to deliver speeches.

Some of the renowned speakers include Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, Yakubu Gowon, Baleka Mbete, speaker of the parliament of South Africa, Lord Watson of Richmond, Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Baroness Uddin of Bethnal Green, Simon Walker, director general of the British Institute of Directors (IOD) and many other global leaders.

With more than 400 global and African thought leaders participating during the event, the issues will range from trade and investment, entrepreneurship, job creation, economic development, health, security and counterterrorism and energy.

Africa's political future

How Africa’s growing youth population can transform the continent will be the subject of the youth forum taking place on the final day of the Summit. More than 100 major players in the African youth development sector are expected to meet to explore reshaping the agenda for youth participating in political leadership on the continent.

Under the theme of ‘opening the space, taking the place,’ the forum on Africa’s political future will focus on the Agenda 2063 and its aim to socio-economically transform the continent through full implementation of the African Youth Charter. Part of that aim is for full gender parity with women occupying at least 50 per cent of elected public offices.

The event is organised by the Commonwealth Africa Initiative (CAFI) in association with Oxford Business Group, GLEEHD Foundation, APO Group, IC Publications (African Review), Cornfield Group, Ben TV, Phoenix Media Group, Amayew Debrah and other partners. CAFI promotes the socio-economic interest of Africa in the Commonwealth.