The plenary session, chaired by Schwab, aims to redesign Africa’s role in the New Global Economy as the continent is forecast to play an increasing role in the growth of the global economy over the course of the next decade with its population having reached one billion and expected to double by 2050.
For his part, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said that things are going ahead with the growth in the east African region gaining momentum, stressing the importance for countries to be integrated and connected, for example, by cable system to get new technologies. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, also expressed his country’s willingness to go ahead with sisters and brothers in the continent.
Other honored speakers including Anna Tibaijuka, UN Under- Secretary-General and also the executive director of UN Human Settlement Program (UN-HABITAT), and Asha-Rose Migiro, UN Deputy Secretary-General also called for more efforts to promote the development in Africa and more confidence on Africa.
Africa’s growth and its subsequent geopolitical role will be a product of both its competitive economic development and commitment to fostering strong social and political structures, experts believe, while the continent is increasingly regarded as a land of opportunities and not risks. Under the theme "Rethinking Africa’s Growth Strategy", the 20th World Economic Forum on Africa attracted nearly 1,000 participants from 85 countries to redesign a sustainable roadmap for Africa’s future.
This is the first time for the meeting to be held in the east African region in the past 20 years. Next year, the meeting is scheduled to return to the original and principal hosting country of South Africa, according to Katherine Tweedie, Director and Head of Africa, World Economic Forum.
Source: Xinhua