13 Heads Of Government To Attend WEFA Summit In Abuja

About 48 hours before the commencement of the World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA), no fewer than 13 heads of state and more than 1,000 delegates from across the globe are billed to participate in the conference slated for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, between May 7 and 9, 2014.

WEF’s Director and Head of Africa Region, Ms. Elsie Kanza, who made the disclosure at a pre-event briefing in Abuja yesterday, said the number of participants is one of the highest after many years of hosting the event in different countries of the world.

“We are expecting over a thousand participants from over 70 countries, more than half will come from African countries and many will come from the business communities, NGOs (non governmental organisations) and religious groups,” she said.

As the largest economy in Africa, Kanza said Nigeria has a great role to play in the region to ensure positive economic growth, adding that by 2040, Africa would have a larger workforce than China.
Kanza said the major focus of the forum would be on how best to ensure that Africa with its positive economic growth rate witnesses inclusive growth.

According to her, 59 per cent of African youths are unemployed, noting that private sector participation would help in the job generation drive.

“The forum as you have already seen would focus on inclusive growth, how to get policies changed and better business modules that can help create jobs. It will look at how to make citizens participate in making decisions that can help change communities,” she said.

Kanza, who also commented on the security situation in Nigeria, said WEF was concerned about the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls and prayed for their imminent rescue, even as she pointed out that terrorism had become a global phenomenon.

“Every single participant will be hoping and praying for the safe return of the Chibok girls. Over half of participants of the WEF are African and others from over 40 counties across the continents.

“Under African tradition, when your neighbour has a tragic occurrence, the community doesn’t run away. The community comes together to fix the problem of the neighbour who is in need. This is indeed what you will see happening in Nigeria.  

“Nigeria as the largest economy and in population has a great role to play in Africa economy and social evolution,” she said.

Kanza added that the evil of terrorism had become a growing concern for the African region, assuring participants that discussions on issues of insecurity in the region would also come up as one of the topics during the global meet.