(http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/thumbnail.php?file=Jonathan_166638470.jpg&size=article_medium) President Goodluck Jonathan President Goodluck Jonathan arrived Addis Ababa, Ethiopia yesterday for the 22nd World Economic Forum on Africa alongside seven other African Heads of States.
More than 700 leaders from business, government, civil society, academia, media and the arts from over 70 countries are expected at the forum which kicked off today.
With Africa experiencing strong growth despite the increasingly volatile global economy, African leaders are expected to use the meeting pursue measures that will transform the region.
The meeting entitled: “Shaping Africa’s Transformation” has as agenda, three pillars: Strengthening Africa’s leadership; Accelerating investment in frontier markets; and Scaling innovation for shared opportunities
The meeting will also afford African leaders an opportunity to bring together pan-African and global leaders to discuss the future of the region.
Other African leaders expected at the forum include Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, Djibouti, President Ismail Omar Guelleh; Gabon, President Ali Bongo Ondimba; Gambia, President Yahya Jammeh; Mauritius, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Charles Gaëtan Xavier-Luc Duval; Namibia, Prime Minister Nahas Gideon Angula, Rwanda, President Paul Kagame; Tanzania, President Jakaya M. Kikwete; and Zimbabwe, Deputy Prime Minister, Arthur G. Mutambara, Benin, President Boni Yayi and President Jacob Zuma of South Africa.
As part of the event, President Jonathan will today chair an informal session of World Economic Leaders entitled: “How can African countries boost regional trade”, where issues including access to financing, building trade capacity, the role of the private sector, fostering regional integration, developing African supply chains based on value added goods and best practices will be discussed.
TheNation