Nicolette Dirk
THE World Economic Forum, starting tomorrow, will offer some top South African consulting firms the opportunity to provide insight into solving Africa’s socio-economic challenges.
Themed “Re-imagining Africa”, the three-day WEF event is being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. More than 1 000 delegates are expected to attend the forum which will focus on long-term development and improving infrastructure on the continent. Consulting companies such as AT Kearney form part of WEF’s global agenda council.
The council consists of experts in various fields. Besides being part of WEF’s decision-making process for more than three decades, AT Kearney, a global management consultancy, has also partnered with WEF on a pro bono initiative called Grow Africa Partnership. Grow Africa works to increase private sector investment in agriculture.
Wim Plaizier, head of AT Kearney Africa, said Grow Africa also focused on lowering the risk and cost to investing in agriculture in 10 African countries. The aim was to enable the countries to realise their full potential.
“Africa is mainly focused on importing food and we need to improve the circumstances to stimulate exporting food. In this regard, WEF is important as it brings together roleplayers from businesses and governmental organisations to address issues,” Plaizier said.
One of the key issues up for discussion is Africa’s infrastructure and long-term development. Agriculture and food security are big challenges facing the continent. More than 330 business leaders, members of government and farmer associations will attend the Grow Africa Investment Forum to consider ways to promote new investment opportunities in the sector.
Plaizier said that following a fruitful WEF Africa meeting in Nigeria last year, he was optimistic about solutions that could emerge from this forum.
“Africa is often perceived as a continent that needs aid, but at last year’s WEF, African representatives told the world that they didn’t need handouts, but investments to develop ourselves. The issue is looking at what type of investments can do this,” he said.