Prez Mahama, Senyo Hosi To Speak On Africa Rising In Switzerland

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), Senyo Hosi, will join a high-powered panel that includes former President John Mahama to discuss the future of Africa at a summit in Switzerland.

Dubbed African Development & Investment Convention (ADIC) 2018, it is on the theme ‘Africa Rising-Lacing Politics, Industry and True Partnership in Policy for Development’.

Providing some insight into his presentation ahead of the summit, Hosi said he would interrogate the ‘Africa rising’ phrase and explore whether Africa is rising with its people in comparative terms with the goal of a developed continent as observed with developed countries. 

He noted that it would also seek to assess whether Africa is an economic frontier for Africans or just a frontier for drivers of world capital flowing to optimise returns.

“The paper will assert that Africa cannot rise without its own and that the continent must ensure its development is in tandem with the sustainable development and competitiveness of its people, industry and institutions by ensuring inclusive growth. 

“It will review the need to realign politics to develop strong institutions and call for the need to de-politicise and de-tribalise our government institutions and build them on the principles of meritocracy. 

“The ‘Big Man’ syndrome must change for Africa to rise with its people. The worship of politics must change to the true call of service,” he added. 

According to him, the paper would review the place of industry in Africa in respect of policy development and management. It will call on African businesses to revise their general passiveness to policy and remind them that they have more at risk than the transient politicians. 

Otherwise, he said, they will become the proverbial stomach that takes in anything the mouth swallows till it takes in poison and dies.
“Industry in Africa must lead policymaking from behind. 

“The growing youth population, in today’s world of social media and increased access to information, is increasingly impatient for real development and comparative quality in their lives.

“What is rather seen is increased graduate unemployment. Africa will be a time bomb unless its economic partnerships are revised from the extractive mentality to an industrial one where FDIs focus on optimising the value chain from Africa’s enormous natural resources,” he stated. 

Hosi noted that Africa cannot continue to export crude and import petroleum products, as well as export raw cocoa beans and import chocolate. For him, it is unacceptable for Africa to house about 60% of the world’s arable land and yet be hungry. 

He made a strong case that the extractive mentality and primitive structure in African economies would continue to exclude majority of the continent’s youth and labour power. 
Africa’s youth must be put to constructive and productive work, else they will become destructive, saying the narrative must change in a rising Africa. 

Hosi plans to call on development partners to drive trade and value-added Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) to Africa’s economies instead of donor funds and choking debts. 

“Africa needs real trade partners investing in its secondary and tertiary production chain. 
“This, the paper will argue, is true partnership and is one necessary to ensure Africa never rises without its own else its rise will be a rise in absentia,” the CBOD CEO said. 

Keynote speakers include Jewel C.H. Taylor, Vice-President, Republic of Liberia; Prof P.L.O. Lumumba, CEO of Kenyan School of Law, Board Member of AFIDEP; Dr Bryant Orjiako, Chairman of Seplat Petroleum Development Co. of Nigeria; and Mr Meir Moalem, CEO & Managing Director, Sky and Space Global, UK. 

Others are Mr Engin Caglar. World Innovation Forum Ambassador, Switzerland; Mr Louis Toscani, CEO & MD, Swiss Active Capital in Switzerland; Dr Lance S. Mambondiani, CEO of Steward Bank in Zimbabwe.

Also speaking at the event are Mr Olivier Kamanzi, CEO of Africa Global Chamber of Commerce Chicago – USA; Mr Neil De Beer Oau, Chairman, NEDEBE CORP of South Africa; Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe, Founder & Chairman of Fasmicro Group – Nigeria; Mr Bola Adeboye, Founder & President of TEEiN – Nigeria; and Ms Matilda A. Arhin, President, Ghana Intl Chambers of Commerce (GHICC), Atlanta-USA; Okezie Ikpeazu, Executive Governor of Abia State – Nigeria; Ms Natalia Smirnova, owner and CEO of Emquarta Personal Advisor Ltd – Russia; Mr Ted Gueller, CEO of Galerie le sud – Switzerland; Mr Olakunle Soriyan, CEO of Olakunle Soriyan Company, Nigeria; Mr Douglas Mboweni, CEO, Econet Wireless – Zimbabwe; and Dr Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, President, Leadership Success Intl. USA, South Africa.

Highlights of the summit

Highlights at the event include Conference Plenary and Expert Panel Sessions, Do-Tanks, Market Link Platform, the Business Exhibition, Gala Dinner, and social and special recognition award presentations.

ADIC Awards ceremony

ADIC Awards ceremony is designed to honour and recognise visionary leaders, business development experts and distinguished individuals with proven records of accomplishments. 

About the ADIC

The African Development & Investment Convention (ADIC) is a one-stop-shop and access point to entering the African market. 

It is an annual convention devoted exclusively to promoting Africa as an investment and trade hub through public-private partnerships, project-investor matching, and showcasing of bankable projects across all sectors. The ADIC is an international convention that attracts investors, decision-makers, including heads of state, development finance institutions, funding institutions, researchers, thought leaders, regulatory bodies and entrepreneurs across the globe. 

ADIC is also the platform for networking among likeminded individuals and a forum discussing investment, development and governance practice in Africa.