The 26th World Economic Forum on Africa ran from 11 to 13 May in Rwanda. We’ve gathered highlights from the three-day event at which governments, business leaders, and civil society gathered to discuss the continent’s progress and navigate a way forward.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame speaks at the World Economic Forum on Africa in Kigali on 12 May 2016. (Image: Benedikt von Loebell, WEF, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, via Flickr)
Media Club South Africa reporter
The 26th World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa closed on 13 May, bidding farewell to more than 1 200 heads of state, CEOs, academics, international organisations, journalists and artists who had gathered in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.
Among the speakers and guests were South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and numerous South African business leaders such as Rapelang Rabana and Patrice Motsepe. We’ve gathered a few highlights from the three-day conference.
On the overall theme “Connecting Africa’s Resources through Digital Transformation”
(Image: WEF)
Those countries which are thriving are those which are inclusive: Graça Machel https://t.co/tJPOopDTER #af16 #4ir
— World Economic Forum (@Davos) May 12, 2016
We, as leaders, must demand of ourselves actions, results and accountability: Graça Machel https://t.co/VokmRWnCMg #af16 #4ir
— World Economic Forum (@Davos) May 12, 2016
Watch the discussion about what the theme means for Africa:
On investing in infrastructure
“Investment in infrastructure has stimulated economic activity. Therefore, there are returns to be made for investors in infrastructure in South Africa and Africa. Infrastructure is better done when approached at a regional level, because our countries are interlinked through the movement of people and trade.” – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa
Watch the panel discussion:
On increasing the digital landscape in education, health and the economy
The digitalisation of the economy is a huge opportunity for the continent to leapfrog and embrace the new and move forward.
See the discussions about how technology and innovation can improve sectors such as education, health and the economy:
(Image: WEF)
We need to organise ourselves to work towards our objectives: Pravin Gordhan https://t.co/FO7KjmZOyb #financialinclusion
— World Economic Forum (@Davos) May 13, 2016
You have to match learning tools to the local curriculum: Rapelang Rabana, Rekindle Learning https://t.co/kcIOcXBp9v #af16 #4ir
— World Economic Forum (@Davos) May 12, 2016
“The internet has become a pervasive, fundamental part of daily life. But low internet penetration significantly impacts a country’s ability to participate in the digital economy, which is becoming an increasingly important priority for development as Africa, like the rest of the world, enters the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” – WEF executive Alex Wong
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(Image: WEF)
On gender empowerment and female innovators
Watch a panel discussion featuring a few of Africa’s top female innovators, including South Africa’s Nneile Nkholise from iMED Tech Group:
Where are women in the technology and infrastructure talk? Inclusion is an imperative – Graça Machel #af16 #4ir pic.twitter.com/9wRNwPwPLY
— DjembeCommunications (@djembepr) May 12, 2016
