9th edition business forum: Makutano wants to boost intra-African trade

22 billion dollars. This is the potential of intra-African trade. Alas, an untapped financial windfall. It is precisely to think about practical solutions that Nicole Sulu, Founder of the Makutano Business Forum and the Makutano Business Network, decided to devote the 9th edition of the Business Forum to this question. The first business network in Central Africa will be held on September 20 and 21, 2023 at the Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan. This major event, which will take place for the first time outside the Democratic Republic of Congo and the sub-region, will bring together more than 150 personalities including heads of government, public decision-makers, private sector leaders as well as leaders of civil society to contribute to unlocking untapped intra-African trade potential. ‘For a decade, we have been facilitating dialogue between private and public decision-makers. In recent years, the Business Forum has cemented its pan-African scope and is working towards the advent of a prosperous and inclusi
ve Africa. This will only be possible through the development of intra-African trade which results from greater collaboration between all stakeholders and true continental integration,’ explained Nicole Sulu.
With a potential estimated at $21.9 billion, the equivalent of 43% of current intra-African exports, intra-African trade can be worth many satisfactions. According to a note provided by Makutano, with better regional integration and the strengthening of intracontinental trade would increase, ‘by 2035, African income by 9%, or $571 billion, and would create 18 million new jobs. This would strengthen the African private sector, create more competitive markets while accelerating economic diversification. In addition, this wealth creation would lift 50 million people out of extreme poverty, making growth inclusive.’ A challenge that the Business Forum should help meet. This is the conviction of Tidjane Thiam, Executive President of Freedom Acquisition Corporation. ‘Through its vocation and ambition, the Business Forum of the MAKUTANO network facilitates an open and constructive dialogue between private and public actors. Through these exchanges, each stakeholder develops a better understanding of the challenges a
nd constraints that the other faces. This is how intra-African trade will develop, which is absolutely essential to improving the well-being of Africans. ‘, he said. Not without calling on States ‘to build an environment conducive to business, particularly in terms of the free movement of goods, services and people. Only access to extensive markets will transform African companies into leaders in the global economy.’ This is how intra-African trade will develop, which is absolutely essential to improving the well-being of Africans. ‘, he said. Not without calling on States ‘to build an environment conducive to business, particularly in terms of the free movement of goods, services and people. Only access to extensive markets will transform African companies into leaders in the global economy.’ This is how intra-African trade will develop, which is absolutely essential to improving the well-being of Africans. ‘, he said. Not without calling on States ‘to build an environment conducive to business, particularly
in terms of the free movement of goods, services and people. Only access to extensive markets will transform African companies into leaders in the global economy.’
This international meeting will be attended by hundreds of leading African captains of industry and public decision-makers, including six current and honorary Heads of State. The network has more than 500 members in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa and around the world. On the menu, interactive working sessions on sectoral issues, debated in plenary sessions and explored in workshops in order to lead to concrete deliverables, networking sessions to talk business, with a particular focus on the multi-sectoral opportunities offered today the DRC and Ivory Coast …
Source: Africa News Agency