DAY 1 - September 10, 2019 (Time is UTC/GMT+1)
09.00 – 12:00 Opening Session
Introduction:
Bienvenu Boudimbu, Presidential Adviser, Official Master of Ceremonies, Republic of Congo
Welcoming Remarks:
Ms. Ingrid Olga Ghislaine Ebouka Babakas, Minister of Planning, Statistics and Regional Integration, Republic of Congo and World Bank Group Governor for Congo
Honorary speakers:
Mr. Jean Jacques Bouya, Minister of Spatial Planning and Major Projects, Congo
Mr. Xu Hongcai, Vice Minister, Ministry of Finance, China
Mr. Liu Jin, Executive Vice President, China Development Bank
Mr. Sergio Pimenta, World Bank Group, IFC Regional Vice President for Middle East and Africa
VIDEO PROJECTION: AFRICA OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Speeches by High Personalities and Heads of States
H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission
H.E. Félix Tshisékédi, President, Democratic Republic of Congo
H.E. Joao Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President, Angola
H.E. Faustin Archange Touadéra, President, Central African Republic
H.E. Paul Kagame, President, Rwanda
H.E. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President, Equatorial Guinea
Opening Speech by H.E. Denis Sassou Nguesso, President, Republic Congo
VIDEO PROJECTION: SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES, REPUBLIQUE DU CONGO
12:00 – 12:30 Signing ceremony
12:30 – 13:00 GROUP PICTURE (Heads of States and Designated Officials)
13:00 – 14:30 High Level Roundtable “The Future of Work in an Integrated and Digitized Africa”
Background: The future of work in Sub-Saharan Africa will look different from the rest of the world. The potential of digital technology, if harnessed effectively, will transform the nature of work for all Africans. This panel will discuss the choices and investments that need to be made by policy makers and private sector partners to pave the way for the next generation of African workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to thrive.
Moderator:
Mr. Albert Zeufack, Chief Economist, Africa Region, World Bank
Speakers:
Mr. Jean Jacques Bouya, Minister of Spatial Planning and Major Projects, Congo
Mr Sergio Pimenta, World Bank Group, IFC Regional Vice President for Middle East and Africa
Mr. Zhou Yuxiao, Ambassador of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China
Mr. Alex Segura, Mission Chief for Congo, International Monetary Fund
Mr. Abebe Hailey-Gabriel, Assistant Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO
Mr. Lassané Kabore, Minister of Economy, Finance and Development, Burkina Faso
Ms. Rima Le Coguic, Director Africa, Agence Française de Développent (AFD), France
Ms. Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNECA
Ms. Recheal Blankson, Blog4Dev 2019, Ghana
14:30 – 15:30 Working Lunch: Supporting Investments in Africa: Perspectives from IFC
Chair:
Mr. Sergio Pimenta, World Bank Group, IFC Regional Vice President for Middle East and Africa
Moderator:
Mr. Aliou Maiga, Director for West and Central Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Speakers:
Mr. Ibrahima Abe Diallo, Head of “Bourse de Sous-Traitance et de Partenariats” - BSTP, Guinea
Mr. Tony Chan, SUNDA
Mr. John Irungu Ngahu, Operations Officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Ms. Mehita Fanny Sylla, Country Manager, Representative - Pays Central Africa Sud Region, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
15:30 – 17:00 Session I: Human Capital Development
Background: Sub-Saharan Africa lags in most indicators of human capital, and estimates show that the continent is operating at only 40 percent of its potential despite recent progress on health and education indicators. At the same time, a notable skills gap hinders countries’ competitiveness in the global economy. This session will focus on where to invest, not only to bridge the gap in basic services, but also to help people become innovators, entrepreneurs, leaders and empowered citizens, no matter their income level. It will examine the scope for knowledge exchange and collaboration between African countries, China, and the rest of the world on key institutional, regulatory, and technological reforms.
Moderator:
Mr. Steven Shalita, Manager, Africa External Relations (ECR), World Bank
Panelists:
Mr. Amit Dar, Regional Director, Human Development Global Practice Group, World Bank
Mr. Antoine Nicéphore Thomas Fylla de Saint-Eudes, Minister of Technical and Professional Education, Skills Training and Employment, Republic of Congo
Margaret Malu, Deputy Regional Director for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean States Region for the United Nations World Food Program (WFP)
Mr. Xu Xiaodong, Vice President, China International Intellectech Corporation Ltd, Co., China
Mr. Randall Riopelle, Senior Manager for China, Korea and Mongolia, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Mr. Philipp Krause, Senior Advisor, the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation, BMGF, United of States
Mr. Patrick Kabisi, Chief Executive Officer, United Bank for Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Dr. Cristabel Ngwashi (Blog4Dev 2019, Cameroon)
Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Bank Plc., Nigeria
17:00 – 18:30 Session II: Digital Revolution, Innovations and the New Service Economy
Background: Digital technologies can unlock new pathways for economic growth, innovation, participation, job creation and access to services in Africa. New technologies can help Africa tap directly into the US$11.5 trillion global digital economy. This session will examine ways to build the foundations of a thriving digital economy —including digital infrastructure and platforms, digital financial services, and an environment that is supportive of digital entrepreneurship— and to mitigate risks including cybersecurity, data privacy and protection and market concentration.
Moderator:
Mr. Steven Shalita, Manager, Africa External Relations (ECR), World Bank
Panelists:
Mr. Yves Castanou, General Manager of the Regulatory Agency for Posts and Electronic Communications, Republic of Congo
Mr. Michel Rogy, Practice Manager, Digital Development, Infrastructure Practice Group, World Bank
Mr. Karim Sy, President of Digital Africa Initiative
Mr. Verone Mankou, Founder, Vox Medias Congo, Republic of Congo
Mr. Zhang Jianyu, General Manager, BSCA Bank, China
Mr. Abasi Ene-Obong, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of 54Genes, BioBanking, Nigeria
Mr. Karim Koundi, Partner at the International Audit & Consulting Firm Deloitte, France
Mr. Amour-Freddy Bilombo, Blog4Dev 2019, Republic of Congo
19:00 – 21:30 Welcome Dinner, hosted by the Government of the Republic of Congo
DAY 2 – September 11, 2019
09:00 – 09:30 Introduction
Mr. Bienvenu Boudimbu, Presidential Adviser, Official Master of Ceremonies, Republic of Congo
Honorary Speaker:
H.E. Macky Sall, President, Republic of Senegal
09:30 – 11:00 Session III: Public and Private Partnerships and Investment Climate
Background: Infrastructure is an indispensable foundation for growth and connectivity. Africa’s infrastructure gaps are large and financing gap is estimated at $US 68-108 billion per annum, even though the continent has abundant sources of renewable energy, including solar and hydro. Public-private partnerships are therefore essential for financing the provision of these public goods. This session will examine the opportunities for PPPs in building Africa’s infrastructure as well as the efficient delivery of public services. The session will also highlight examples of African countries which have created a conducive environment for private investment by undertaking a range of business-friendly reforms that are necessary for a successful Public Private Partnership.
Moderator:
Ms. Elizabeth Tchoungui, Journalist, Producer, TV Host and Writer
Panelists:
Mr. Amadou Hott, Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation, Senegal
Ms. Soraya Hakuziyaremye, Minister of Trade and Industry, Rwanda
Mr. Zhang Zhiqing, Deputy Director-General, Foreign Capital Utilization Department, National Development and Reform Commission, China
Ms. Yang Baohua, Chairwoman, China Africa Development Fund, CAD-Fund, China
Mr. Kay Parplies, Head of Unit – Investment and Innovative Financing, Directorate-General International Cooperation & Development, European Commission
Mr. Alain Ebobissé, Chief Executive Officer, Africa50
Mr. Stefan Rajaonarivo, Senior Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Mr. Wenhe Zhang, Senior Underwriter, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)
Mr. Jeremy Riro, Blog4Dev 2016, Kenya
Mr. Maleye Diop, Resident Representative for the Republic of Congo, United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
11:00 – 11:15 Coffee & Tea Break
11:15 – 12:45 Session IV: Industrialization and Global Value Chains
Background: Industrialization is necessary for Africa’s transformation, and yet since 2008, the share of manufacturing in the GDP of Sub-Saharan African economies has stagnated around 10%, and more than 80% of employment is created in low-productivity sectors. At the same time, despite vast agricultural potential, Africa has remained a net importer of agricultural products, with an annual food import bill of around US$40 billion. The session will explore ways to tap into China and other countries’ experience and mobilize private investments to establish a competitive and climate-resilient agriculture sector. It will also discuss new industrialization strategies that take stock of past mistakes in the continent and successful stories in Eastern and South Asia, while addressing new opportunities and challenges brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and today’s global economic environment.
Moderator:
Ms. Elizabeth Tchoungui, Journalist, Producer, TV Host and Writer
Panelists:
M. Gilbert Ondongo, Minister of State, Minister of Economy, Industry and Public Portfolio, Republic of Congo
Aliou Maiga, Director for West and Central Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Mr. Diego Arias, Lead Agriculture Economist, World Bank
Mr. Liu Yong, Chief Economist, China Development Bank (CDB), China
Ms. Li Zhiping, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Economy, China
Ms. Donata Garrasi, Director of Political Affairs in the Office of the Special Envoy of the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General for the Great Lakes region, UN
Ms. Musopa Kalenga, Blog4Dev 2019, Zambia
Mr. Cheng Fubo, Vice President, Commercial Aircraft Corporation Ltd., China
Mr. Dejene Tezera, Director of Agribusiness Development Department, United Nations Industrial Development Organization
12:45 – 14:15 Lunch
14:15 – 16:00 Session V: Climate Smart Energy Solutions
Background: A prerequisite for powering productive economies and creating jobs in African countries is access to modern and sustainable energy services. Given the continent’s growing population and demand for energy, it will take innovative solutions and partnership to provide affordable, quality energy to fuel the economy, create jobs and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The session will explore China and other countries’ experience with climate-smart energy policies and opportunities for the World Bank to leverage institutional and private investors in transforming Africa’s energy sector.
Moderator:
Mr. Steven Shalita, Manager, Africa External Relations (ECR), World Bank
Panelists:
Mr. Bruno Jean Richard Itoua, Minister of Higher Education, Republic of Congo
Mr. Racine Kane, Deputy Director General for Central Africa, African Development Bank (AfDB)
Mr. Ian Crosby, Principal Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Mr. Christian De Gromard, Senior Expert, Department « Energy and Digital Transition, Agence Française de Développent (AFD), France
Mr. Long Jisheng, Chairman, SUS Environment, China
Ms. Martha Wakoli, Blog4Dev, Kenya
Mr. Sidy Diop, Directeur, Deloitte Economic Advisory, France
Mr. Michael Konadu, Commercial Growth Director, GE Power Africa, GE Power Africa, United States
Mr. Issa Diaw, Program Leader, Infrastructure, World Bank Group
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee & Tea Break
16:30 – 17:30 Closing Session
Chair:
Ms. Ingrid Olga Ghislaine Ebouka-Babakas, Minister of Planning, Statistics and Regional Integration, Republic of Congo, and World Bank Group Governor for Congo
Honorary speakers:
Mr. Xu Hongcai, Vice Minister, Ministry of Finance, China
Mr. Liu Jin, Executive Vice President, China Development Bank
Mr. Sergio Pimenta, World Bank Group, IFC Regional Vice President for Middle East and Africa
Mr. Jean Claude Tchatchouang, Executive Director, Africa Group II, World Bank
Mr. Jean Jacques Bouya, Minister of Spatial Planning and Major Projects, Congo
17:30 – 18:00 Press Conference
Moderator:
Sylvain Elenga, Journalist
Speakers:
Mr. Jean Jacques Bouya, Minister of Spatial Planning and Major Projects, Congo
Mr. Jean Christophe Carret, Country Director for Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo and Central African Republic, World Bank
Mr. Liu Yong, Chief Economist, China Development Bank, China
18:00 – 20:00 Closing Dinner, hosted by China Development Bank
Moderator:
Ms. Yang Baohua, Chairman, CAD Fund
Speakers:
Mr. Ma Fulin, Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Congo
Mr. Liu Jin, Executive Vice President, China Development Bank
Mr. Wu Guohua, Deputy Director General, China Development Bank
Mr. Zhou Chao, Vice President, CAD Fund
DAY 3 – September 12, 2019
09:00 – 13:00 Field visits (three itineraries proposed by the Government of Congo)
Maloukou Special Economic Zone
Université Sassou Nguesso
Les cataractes (Site touristique)
