Register Today –Friends of Africa-Where Ideas meet Opportunities ! ! !
For more information on 2014 Economic Development conference do click the link:
Friends Of Africa is thrilled this year to invite you, your partners, friends and associates to the Annual Friends of Africa Economic Development Conference on the 4th (Saturday) of October 2014 at The Grand Ball Room of the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Centre, Toronto.
The theme for this year is “Africa-The Next Investment Haven”. It is expected to be a full day of knowledge sharing, networking, learning and robust debates on Africa’s Health Sector, the Rising Profile of Young Entrepreneurs, and Women in active Private sector businesses. A Business Roundtable for Entrepreneurs will showcase the huge potential for Private Sector contribution to Africa’s development programs and the need to support these groups.
Speakers are expected from both public and private sectors of North America and other African countries include: Ministers Elvis Afriyie- Ankrah (Ghana), Micheal Coteau and Charles Sousa (Canada), Canadian Parliamentarians Jim Karygiannis and Monte Kwinter, diplomats including High Commissioners of Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Shweta Sharma CEO, Spinning Star Energy LLC, USA, CEOs of Private Equity Funds, and other sector CEOs. Firms with Investments in Africa will share perspectives on what it takes to do business in Africa. Africans will showcase the investment opportunities in their countries and professional Diasporas’ will speak on the institutional support required.
Participants will have access to registration details, submit proposals, invitation to partners and experience the new insights into Africa’s development on the link below from July 15th 2014.
Business Finance: Happening at FOA, 2014-An African Economic Development Conference: Join Brian Love, Director, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ontario, Director, Economic Development Council onOctober 4 at the Finance Roundtable of FOA 2014 to discuss Financing and Grants program for Manufacturers and Business owners in Canada. Learn from businesses that have accessed funding to grow their businesses and share from their experiences over the years.
Financing Options for Manufacturers and Businesses: Casa Foundation presents the funding database to entrepreneurs across vertical sectors of the economy. The new Financing options for Small businesses, start ups and Entrepreneurs include grants that are open to innovators and students and other lines that could be availed to manufacturers and enterprises. For more details on how these options work, the Business Finance Roundtable at the 2014 FOA Economic Development Conference on the 4th October will feature presentations by Ministry of Economic Development and Trade on support to SMEs. Don’t Miss it:
Speakers And Panelists
Elvis Afriyie Ankrah is the Minister of State at the Presidency in Ghana. Ankrah was actively involved in student politics. He was the President of the Students Representative Council at the Universit y of Ghana. Join Ankrah as he discusses strategic enagagemnt of Youths in economic development in one of the fastest growing Frontier markets
Michael Coteau currently serves as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, as well the Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. He was appointed Minister of Citizenship and Immigration in February 2013. Coteau is former CEO and Executive Director of a national literacy not-for-profit, Alpha Plus. At FOA 2014, Coteau will discuss Ontario’s Tourism development strategy and how Africa can build its tourism sector
Brian Love is Director, Business Services at the Ministry of Economic Development,Trade, and Innovation (MEDTI) and serves on the Board of Economic Development Council for Ontario. At FOA 2014, join Brian at the Finance Roundtable to share some of MEDTI’s economic development initiatives such as Business financing/grant options to facilitate the growth of businesses in the manufacturing and Trade sectors.
Olu Oyelade is the Managing Partner at InVcap and Chairs its Management Investment Committee. She oversees the management of the firm’s private equity funds. Join Olu at the FOA 2014 Investment Roundtable to discuss why Africa is fast becoming an Investment Haven for discerning Investors
Micheal Strait is Managing Director of JCM Capital’s Fund Development Group. As the MD, Michael has overall responsibility for the management of JCM Capital’s Clean Power Development Fund and directs strategy towards the profitable growth and operation of the division. At FOA 2014, Michael will discuss JCM’s operations in Africa’s energy sector and how JCM competes in Africa’s US$40b energy markets
Shweta Sharma is CEO of Spinning Star Energy (SSE) LLC, Austin Texas. Spinning Star Energy (SSE) is currently developing a 615 MW wind power project and a 355 miles transmission project in Texas, USA with a total investment of US$1.7 billion. SSE is a Joint Venture created by US Private Equity firm US Renewables Energy Group LLC (US-REG) and Shenyang Power Group LTD (SPG) of China. At FOA 2014, Shweta will discuss new developments in Africa Wind Energy.
Hon Jim Karygiannis, a Member of the Canadian Parliament till 2014, served the most ethnically diverse federal riding in Canada for close to twenty-six years. Jim strongly advocated for social justice and human rights as Chair of the Canada-Nigeria and the Canada-Somaliland, Friends of the DRC and the Parliamentary Friends of Coptic Christians. At Friends of Africa (FOA) 2014, Jim will discuss how Small businesses can shape government policies for a profiatble future..
