Download Wednesday, September 21, 2016 The Plaza Hotel - US

Wednesday, September 21, 2016
The Plaza Hotel
In 2014, the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bloomberg Philanthropies co-hosted the firstever U.S.-Africa Business Forum, a historic summit focused on expanding trade and investment
opportunities on the continent. Building on the success of the first Forum, held alongside the
U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bloomberg Philanthropies
will again bring together African heads of state and private sector CEOs from the United States
and Africa to celebrate the partnerships and innovations that have led to deepened business
relationships and to discuss the exciting potential for further collaboration.
The Obama Administration and the U.S. private sector recognize the tremendous potential of the
fast-growing and dynamic economies of Africa, and agree that the promotion of economic
partnerships, sustainable development, and increased two-way trade and investment is central to
the U.S.-Africa relationship.
This Forum comes at a pivotal time for Africa and the United States. In the face of a rapidly
changing global economy, it will allow U.S. and African companies and leaders to showcase
ways in which they are working together to address new opportunities and challenges, as well as
highlight the United States’ long-term commitment to Africa’s economic growth and prosperity.
Interactive sessions will focus on key issues that impact efforts to deepen U.S.-African economic
engagement, including economic diversification and regional integration, workforce
development, entrepreneurship and innovation, and infrastructure and urbanization.
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PROGRAM
Leaders Breakfast: 7:30 am – 8:45 am
OPENING PLENARY
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Welcome Remarks
The Honorable Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Commerce of the United States
and
The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. &
Bloomberg Philanthropies and 108th Mayor of New York City
Looking Back
U.S.-Africa Partnerships Since 2014
At the first U.S.-Africa Business Forum in 2014, the U.S. government and private business
leaders announced more than $33 billion in deals and commitments to investment in Africa. In
this opening segment, participants from the inaugural forum highlight some of the remarkable
achievements over the past two years and set ambitious new goals for the future.
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Bill Killeen, President & CEO, Acrow Bridge
Rahama Wright, Founder & CEO, Shea Yeleen
The Bottom Line
Moderator: Zain Verjee, Co-Founder & CEO, aKoma Media
A short, moderated segment featuring business pioneers from across the continent responding to
interactive audience data on the most important themes of the day.
ACT 1
Opening Remarks
David MacLennan, Chairman & CEO, Cargill
Spotlight on Cote d’Ivoire
Moderator: Francine Lacqua, Editor-at-Large & Anchor, Bloomberg TV
His Excellency Alassane Ouattara
President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire has grown its economy significantly over the past four years. The nation’s GDP
growth rate reached 8.4 percent in 2015 and is expected to climb even higher this year. In this
spotlight segment, President Ouattara outlines his country’s latest national development plan,
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including new infrastructure investments and economic reforms, and shares his vision for Côte
d’Ivoire as one of Africa’s great business centers.
ACT 2
Opening Remarks
Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Markets on the Move
How Diversified Economies Can Transform Risk into Opportunity
Recent disruptions in global commodity prices, increased borrowing costs, and greater
competition for global trade have challenged Africa’s economic outlook. To counterbalance
these forces and integrate Africa more deeply into global trade patterns, African countries are
expanding their trade and investment ties with each other – as well as with key partners around
the world. In this session, African leaders and CEOs explore efforts by businesses and
governments to expand the development of cross-sector industries in an effort to build the
diverse, vibrant, and resilient African economies.
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Moderator: Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina, President, African Development Bank
Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia
His Excellency Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia
Emanuel “Manny” Chirico, Chairman & CEO, PVH
Charles Scharf, CEO, Visa
The Bottom Line
•
•
Moderator: Zain Verjee, Co-Founder & CEO, aKoma Media
Mugo Kibati, Chairman, M-Kopa and Chairman, Lake Turkana Wind Power
ACT 3
Opening Remarks
John G. Rice, Vice Chair, General Electric Company
Spotlight on Nigeria
Nigeria’s Economic Reforms for Growth
His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
The world’s 22nd largest economy, Nigeria is the most powerful economic engine in Africa. As it
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adapts to new regional and global economic forces, the policy decisions Nigeria makes today
will have profound impact on the future of the continent. In this spotlight section, President
Buhari lays out reform steps that have been taken to date and plans for 2016 and beyond,
including strategies for increasing investment, diversifying the economy, and connecting
Nigerian businesses with new market opportunities in the U.S. and around the world.
The Bottom Line
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•
Moderator: Zain Verjee, Co-Founder & CEO, aKoma Media
Tony Elumelu, Chairman, United Bank for Africa and Heirs Holding
ACT 4
Introductory Remarks
The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. & Bloomberg
Philanthropies and 108th Mayor of New York City
Spotlight on United States
The Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States
INTERACTIVE LUNCH: 12:00 – 1:30 pm
AFTERNOON PLENARY
1:45 pm – 4:00 pm
ACT 5
High Tech Growth
How Innovation and Technology are Driving African Economic Growth
Africa’s entrepreneurs are turning profound ideas into growing businesses by applying new
technology to traditional services and driving economic growth with innovative concepts and
products. From financial services and mobile-payments to the use of drones to deliver muchneeded resources across the continent, advanced technology and digital skills now p lay a vital
role in the future of Africa’s growth. How can Africa’s established companies work with startups
and new technology platforms to build its next generation of tech entrepreneurs. In this session,
Secretary Penny Pritzker moderates a conversation on the role of innovation as a platform for
entrepreneurship and growth.
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Moderator: The Honorable Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Commerce of the United
States
Jeremy Johnson, Co-Founder and CEO, Andela
Andrew Liveris, Chairman and CEO, Dow Chemical
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•
Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman, Econet Wireless
ACT 6
Opening Remarks
The Honorable Jacob J. Lew, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States
The Architecture of Progress
Infrastructure Development and Sustainable Growth
The growth trajectory of many large cities in Africa today presents both tremendous challenges
and remarkable opportunities. As incubators of new business innovations and social progress,
African nations are now faced with new questions around fulfilling energy supply, connectivity,
and transport. In this session, CEOs at the forefront of Africa’s rising infrastructure industries
examine the demographic trends, the investments necessary to build for the long-term, and the
partnerships necessary to compete on a global scale.
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Moderator: David Westin, Co-Anchor, Bloomberg <GO>
Aliko Dangote, President & CEO, Dangote Group
Jasandra Nyker, CEO, BioTherm Energy
Brian Herlihy, Founder & CEO, Black Rhino
John Coumantaros, Chairman, Flour Mills of Nigeria
The Bottom Line
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Moderator: Zain Verjee, Co-Founder & CEO, aKoma Media
Sara Menker, Founder & CEO, Gro Intelligence
ACT 7
Spotlight on Tunisia
His Excellency Beji Caid Essebsi, President of the Republic of Tunisia
in conversation with
The Honorable John F. Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States
Tunisia has gone through massive transition over the last four years and continues to inspire the
world with its democratic aspirations. In this spotlight session, President Essebsi shares how the
rebuilding process has presented a unique economic opportunity and why global companies will
find it a place to expand and grow.
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ACT 8
Opening Remarks
Fred Swaniker, Founder & Executive Chairman, African Leadership Academy and
African Leadership University
Job Shifts
Shaping the Twenty-First Century African Workforce
With 60 percent of Africa’s population between the ages of 15-25 – a number expected to double
by 2045 –youth unemployment is one of the most significant challenges facing the continent. By
2030 more than a quarter of the world’s workforce will live in Africa. New technologies are
rapidly accelerating education, literacy, and skills training to help Africa’s workforce meet
growing global demands, but achieving this success will not be possible without focused
strategies on the part of business, government, and civil society. In this session, visionary public
and private leaders highlight successful programs that are helping to address Africa’s workforce
challenges.
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His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana
Ginni Rometty, Chairman, President & CEO, IBM Corporation
Douglas R. Oberhelman, Chairman & CEO, Caterpillar
The Bottom Line
Moderator: Zain Verjee, Co-Founder & CEO, aKoma Media
CLOSING REMARKS
The Honorable Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Commerce of the United States
and
The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. &
Bloomberg Philanthropies and 108th Mayor of New York City
CLOSING RECEPTION
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
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