“Post-pandemic recovery”. This remains one of the most popular phrases when considering Africa’s economic outlook in 2022, and indeed how commentators continue to frame regional analysis globally.
Global law firm Hogan Lovells has announced a prestigious line-up of panellists and speakers for its nineth annual Africa Forum. As one of the leading conferences for business in Africa, this highly anticipated event returns in person, taking place on Tuesday, 28 June 2022 in London and on a dedicated virtual platform accessible to participants all over the world. The Africa on the move themed event will consider and delve into what it is going to take to get the wheels of change turning to push the continent towards a sustainable, accelerated growth. Some of the high-profile speakers include Andrew Palmer, Director of Global Affairs at British International Investment, (formally CDC); Gilbert Nyatanyi, CEO of Rwandan Sovereign Wealth Fund, Agaciro Development Fund; David Cox, Africa Managing Director for Mott McDonald; Michael Wilkinson, Senior VP and GM for Europe, Africa and the Middle East; Marcia Ashong, the CEO at The Boardroom Africa and Bose Ogulu businesswoman and manager of Grammy award winning artist, Burna Boy.
The 2022 Africa Forum comes during the third year since the onset of the global pandemic and the resulting economic recession. However, the reality of a global economic recovery has been widely accepted, with many regions showing indicators of economic recovery. Africa’s emergence from recession in 2021 has not only improved sentiments about recovery, but it has also revitalized and renewed the region’s pre-pandemic optimism; Africa is on the move.
Bright spots are emerging. SME’s are finding increased support as non-banking private lending continues to grow as an asset class. Less resource-dependent markets, including Benin, Mauritius, Niger, Rwanda and the Seychelles are set to reach growth levels well above 5% while Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal are set to return to pre-pandemic growth levels. Investment in technology and digital infrastructure has boomed with a record US$4.9bn in 2021, up from US$2bn in 2022. And this year’s EU-Africa summit held in February resulted in the meeting’s first ever monetary commitment since its inception in 2000 – committing to spend close to US$25bn per year, for the next seven years.
Andrew Skipper MBE, Chair of Africa Practice, Hogan Lovells said “We at Hogan Lovells are very excited to have so many influential and respected industry leaders and decision-makers at this year’s Africa Forum. Last year we had a very successful event in the middle of an emerging economic recovery from the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic. We’re looking forward to see what this year’s forum will give us.”
As ever, Hogan Lovells Africa will catalyse conversations about the continent’s performance and prospects, assessing its past, present, and future. Join us as we bring together a prestigious line-up of business leaders, key decision-makers, and cultural influencers to delve into critical dialogue about Africa’s Road to strengthened partnerships, continental synergy, and the actualization of it’s potential as a leading global player.
For more information and to register for Africa Forum, please go to: https://www.hoganlovells.com/en/events/africa-forum-2022