Africa is home to more than 1 billion people, comprises 54 diverse nations and has a land mass as large as China, India, the United States and most of Europe combined. The business opportunity is just as enormous. Entrepreneurs and industry leaders are harnessing this potential to transform the continent in such diverse fields as manufacturing, technology, real estate, financial services and agriculture. But there are questions that businesses and investors need to consider when approaching this unique market. What sectors are primed and ready for investment? What obstacles threaten growth and how are companies successfully navigating around them? How does Africa's cultural and geographic diversity play into business strategy and procedures? What does it take for a company to scale up from a head office in Lagos all the way to Lilongwe? This panel will gather prominent entrepreneurs and industry leaders operating in Africa--trailblazers who have achieved success there--to discuss what it takes to seize the opportunity. They will share their visions for the continent and insights on its challenges and opportunities.

Read the blog post on Currency of Ideas

Moderator

Jonathan Berman

Senior Advisor, Dalberg; Author, "Success in Africa"

Speakers

Pade Durotoye

CEO, Oando Energy Resources Inc.; CEO, Oando Exploration & Production Ltd.

Ahmed Heikal

Chairman and Founder, Citadel Capital

Phillips Oduoza

Group Managing Director and CEO, United Bank for Africa Plc

Barend Petersen

Chairman, De Beers Consolidated Mines


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