Participants at the forthcoming African Economic Congress (AEC) are expected to proffer solutions to lingering problems confronting Africa while seeking for home-grown solutions to such recurring problem.
The event, which is the first of its kind to be held in Nigeria, is expected to host 500 participants who would be addressing concerns in specific sectors of Nigerian economy such as infrastructure, Oil and Gas, Power, housing, and overall improved economy.
Nancy Nnaji, CEO of the ECA, informed newsmen on Monday in Abuja that the forthcoming event that would be held from November 4 – 6, would focus on harvesting benefits of intra-African trade, and engaging investors on specific areas of Nigerian economy.
“The African Economic Congress will focus on the strategic ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area,(AFCTA) and its future impact on Africa’s global cooperation and African Industry Revolution.
The Congress,she said would contribute to the AFCTA by explaining and promoting its priorities and policy actions to address challenges in areas like Trade and Investment, Agriculture, economic policy, climate change and energy.
“Participants will also engage in an in-depth dialogue with a number of international financial institutions, economic stakeholders, industry players, and the international Finance Corporation, in order to review the development and adoption of policies and mechanisms for the engagement and effective participation of peoples.
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Nancy informed further that the programme in Abuja, Nigeria, will aim to foster systems leadership and global stewardship while recognizing the actuality of a more complex “multi conceptual” world.
Obadiah Mailafia, a development Economist, and a former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria told newsmen that the focus of the conference would drive towards ensuring that Africa plays its role as a solution to its numerous problem plaguing the continent.
“We must begin to rethink our strategy and ensure that we send a message to the world that we are part of the solutions to our numerous problems.
The expected participants at the session include: The governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Godwin Emefiele, Babatunde Fowler, the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Mitchell Elkegbe, MD Interswitch, Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria, Demola Sogunle.
The participants also include: Fatoumata Ceesay, Former Special Gambia Parliament, Aliyu Abdulhammeed, Managing director, NIRSAL, and others who are expected to participate in a range of sessions and meetings with leaders from politics, business and society from across Africa.
