Businesses and Investors from the
developed economies, who are desirous of taking advantage of the bourgeoning
business and investment opportunities in Africa, should seek credible local
partners to help them in the process.
developed economies, who are desirous of taking advantage of the bourgeoning
business and investment opportunities in Africa, should seek credible local
partners to help them in the process.
Phillips Oduoza, GMD/CEO, UBA Plc
Speaking at the panel on pan-African
businesses at the recently concluded three-day Milken Global conference in Los
Angeles, California, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, the Group Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) of United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Plc said it is imperative for the investors to partner with
local players like UBA “that understand the business terrain to help them
navigate around some of the seeming challenges of investing in Africa”.
businesses at the recently concluded three-day Milken Global conference in Los
Angeles, California, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, the Group Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) of United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Plc said it is imperative for the investors to partner with
local players like UBA “that understand the business terrain to help them
navigate around some of the seeming challenges of investing in Africa”.
Understanding of the local culture,
customization of products and initiatives were identified as critical factors
to successfully invest in Africa by the panel which was made up of Phillips
Oduoza, UBA GMD/CEO, Berand Petersen, Chairman, De Beers Consolidated Mines in
South Africa, Ahmed Heikal of Citadel Group in Egpyt, Pade Durotoye, CEO Oando
Exploration and Production Ltd and Jonathan Berman of Dalberg Consulting.
customization of products and initiatives were identified as critical factors
to successfully invest in Africa by the panel which was made up of Phillips
Oduoza, UBA GMD/CEO, Berand Petersen, Chairman, De Beers Consolidated Mines in
South Africa, Ahmed Heikal of Citadel Group in Egpyt, Pade Durotoye, CEO Oando
Exploration and Production Ltd and Jonathan Berman of Dalberg Consulting.
The Panel also called on prospective
investors from developed countries to evolve new financial models that will
enable them invest in the Ports, transportation and power sectors. The
panel also called for more of structured financing and capacity building as
well as the need for prospective investors to listen more and dialogue
constructively; have more Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) Development Finance
Institutions (DFIs) and Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) focus more on Africa.
investors from developed countries to evolve new financial models that will
enable them invest in the Ports, transportation and power sectors. The
panel also called for more of structured financing and capacity building as
well as the need for prospective investors to listen more and dialogue
constructively; have more Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) Development Finance
Institutions (DFIs) and Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) focus more on Africa.
The panel on pan-African
businesses discussed how entrepreneurs and industry leaders are harnessing the
enormous potentials in Africa to transform the continent in diverse fields like
manufacturing, technology, real estate, financial services, infrastructure and
agriculture.
businesses discussed how entrepreneurs and industry leaders are harnessing the
enormous potentials in Africa to transform the continent in diverse fields like
manufacturing, technology, real estate, financial services, infrastructure and
agriculture.
The main discussions centered on the
questions that confront investors and businesses when approaching the African
market, entry strategies as well as obstacles that threaten
growth.
questions that confront investors and businesses when approaching the African
market, entry strategies as well as obstacles that threaten
growth.
The Milken Global Conference brings together
some of the world’s leading thinkers, visionaries and decision-makers to help
find solutions to critical issues facing the world.
some of the world’s leading thinkers, visionaries and decision-makers to help
find solutions to critical issues facing the world.
The Conference which took place from
April 27 th to May 1 st 2014, is in its 17 th year and brings
together more than 3,000 people from around the world — senior leaders with
the mind and the means to create positive action for four days of intense
discussion.
April 27 th to May 1 st 2014, is in its 17 th year and brings
together more than 3,000 people from around the world — senior leaders with
the mind and the means to create positive action for four days of intense
discussion.
More than 650 speakers, including
major investors, CEOs, government officials, scientists, educators, philanthropists,
and journalists, take part in more than 140 sessions at the conference to
discuss wide-ranging panel topics including: the worldwide water crisis, the
future of Wall Street, the promise of impact investing, the four ways stem
cells will change medicine, Africa’s emerging energy landscape — and dozens
more.
major investors, CEOs, government officials, scientists, educators, philanthropists,
and journalists, take part in more than 140 sessions at the conference to
discuss wide-ranging panel topics including: the worldwide water crisis, the
future of Wall Street, the promise of impact investing, the four ways stem
cells will change medicine, Africa’s emerging energy landscape — and dozens
more.
“The Milken Institute utilizes
its unique ability to convene leaders from across sectors and continents to
extend our work addressing the core issues of access to capital, improving
health care, and spurring job creation,” says Institute CEO, Mike Klowden.
its unique ability to convene leaders from across sectors and continents to
extend our work addressing the core issues of access to capital, improving
health care, and spurring job creation,” says Institute CEO, Mike Klowden.
The Milken Global Institute boasts
of the ability to bridge the words of business, finance and policy.
of the ability to bridge the words of business, finance and policy.
