BREXIT: UK-AFRICA PARTNERSHIP TOPS AGENDA AT THE AFRICA SUMMIT
Portsmouth-UK: Amidst a groundswell of opposition, intense negotiations and relative uncertainty on the future of relations between Britain and its allies globally, African Leaders have been urged to harness the benefits of Brexit to push forward greater cooperation and partnership between U.K and Africa. This was the position of stakeholders at the recently concluded Africa Summit organized by the African Leadership Magazine at the London Hilton Hotel, On Parklane. The event which was organized as part of the group’s mandate of evolving solutions to some of the continent’s pressing and peculiar challenges had as its theme: “Jobs Made in Africa: Creating A World Of Opportunities For The Continent’s Young People”. In attendance were high profile business, political and diplomatic leaders, from Africa and the U.K, including, Tim Morris, Senior Trade Advisor for Africa, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Catherine Simon, Desk Officer: Africa, Department for International Trade, Hon. Hamat N.K Bah, Gambian Minister of Tourism and Culture, Hon. Amadou Kone, Minister of Transport, Cote D’Ivoire, amongst others. Leaders at the event were united in a call to leverage Post-Brexit to solve Africa’s twin issues of job and wealth creation. The event provided a robust platform to discuss and provide solutions to the alarming rate of unemployment on the continent.
UK-Africa trading relationship currently stands at more than £27bn and the UK is the second-largest investor in Africa, with over £21bn of investment. The decision for the UK to move away from the European Union (EU) provides an opportunity to re-engage and refresh the U.K.-Africa partnership.
The key highlights of this summit include African Business & Investment Round Table, Top 50 African & Afro Caribbean Leaders in the UK and Showcase Gala Awards & Dinner.
Among the attendees were some dignitaries from The Top 50 Influential African & Afro-Carribean Leaders in The UK: Tony Tiyou, Founder Renewables in Africa, Dentaa Amoateng, CEO, GUBA, Rachel Wang, Director, Chocolate Films, Nicholas Aitalegbe on behalf of Sapphire Gray, CEO SG Business Consultancy, Alistair Soyode of Ben TV and Zeinab Badawi, Journalist.
Also in attendance were members of the CEO Club: Dr. Tahir Akhtar, Yasmin Akhtar, Selva Pankaj, Mr. Selva Pankaj, CEO Regent Group, Haroon Rashid, CEO CareTeck PLC, Hanna Ibrahim, Ilias Gogakis, Alexnder Tlbot Rice, Richard Moir, Director CEO Club, Hon. Paul Clark, Former Minister of Transport, United Kingdom and Mr. Lutfi Talib, President, Singapore Business Group.
Gambian Minister of Tourism and Culture, Hon. Hamat N.K Bah, as well as his team from Gambia and United Kingdom, were present: Francis C. Blain, The Ambassador of The Gambia to the United Kingdom, Mr. and Mrs. Foday Jarjussey, Abdoulaye Jobe, James Bahoum, Mr and Mrs Ida Jeng (Representative of Gambia Tourism Board), Alhaji Mbye, UK Correspondent, The Point Newspaper, Isatou (Aisha) Davies Ann, Director of Information Services, Abdoulaye Sey, Editor-in-Chief, Gambia Radio and Television Services, Fatou Touray, Talk Show Host, Kerr Fatou and Yusupha Bojang (Kaira FM, representing Association of Community Radio Stations.
The SAAFI (Somali Advice and Forum of Information) team: Ms. Rhoda Ibrahim, Founder and CEO SAAFI, Ms. Khadra Ali, Consultant for Digital and Innovations in Development and Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed, Motivational Mentor, made an appearance at the event.
Media partners, Julie McConville, Sabrina Heineke and Joseph Ehigiamuso were present as well. Other attendees include Martin Roche, David White, Madame Stephanie, Minister of Transport, Cote d’Ivoire and Mr. Donald Olorunkeyede.
The African Summit was organized by the African Leadership Magazine and aimed at promoting an exchange of tested ideas, projects, research results, and findings that can help African governments, parliaments and business leaders to sustainably create more jobs in the continent and also provide a platform of opportunities for participants to undertake peer review; also meet face to face with renowned experts, development economists, academics, and development partners to establish global partnerships for assistance and collaborations, for the growth of entrepreneurship and job creation in the continent.
As part of the highlights, the summit also had a presentation of awards. Business leaders across the spectrum of the African community who distinguished themselves with their outstanding achievements were honored.
The African Summit honourees are Mr. Henry Saamoi, Chief Executive Officer, International Bank (Liberia) Limited, Liberia for the Industry Personality Of The Year Award (Banking Category), Mr. Peter Cole Chiori, The Managing Director/CEO, Ocean Glory Commodities Limited, Nigeria for the African Entrepreneur Of The Year Award (Transport & Logistics Category), Ms. Leelai M. Kpukuyou, Chief Executive Officer, Mini Mall Enterprise Inc, Liberia for the African Female Business Leadership Excellence Award, Trade Kings Group, Zambia for the African Company Of The Year Award (FMCG Category), Ghana Forestry Commission for the African Government Regulator Of The Year Award, Hon. Hamat N K Bah, Minister of Tourism and Culture, the Gambia for the Government Personality Of The Year Award, Hon. Amadou Kone, Minister of Transport, Cote d’Ivoire for the Public Service Excellence Award and Amb. Dr. Ikechukwu U. Odo, Meridian Hospital, Nigeria, for the Leadership Excellence in Medicine.
