Countdown begins for second Africa 2.0 Leadership Symposium

The event, which follows hot on the heels of a successful inaugural symposium held in South Africa in 2010, will comprise four days of engaging workshops, lectures, specialist panel discussions, presentations, and high-profile strategies.

Africa 2.0 founder, Mamadou Kwidjim Toure said his organisation was looking forward to hosting another high-level outcomes-based symposium. He said the event provided an essential platform for the generation of ideas and commitments that would trigger dynamic home-grown solutions for the continent's growth and development.

Your chance to network

"We are confident that the outcomes of this second symposium will go a long way in assisting us to meet our objectives as Africa 2.0. The format of the event allows for discussion and networking that will, amongst other objectives, enhance co-ordination among growth initiatives across Africa, create an enabling environment for the growth of vital sectors, enable open dialogue amongst key stakeholders, as well as involve civil society and the private sector in the development of an action plan for Vision Africa 2020", he said.

Discussions will centre around the following key focus areas:

• The World in 2020 - Opinion leaders from around the world will share their perspectives on the world in 2020 as well as the role that Africa could play in such a world.
  
• 'Action, Coordination, Action' - A strategy and action plan for Vision Africa 2020 will be developed and refined around the 10 key pillars of the Vision. Breakaway sessions will engage participants on country and regional coordination and implementation. Pledges to implement strategic actions will be solicited.
  
• 10 ideas that could change Africa - Presentation and discussion of the scalability of a range of ideas, products, projects and policies that could effect change in Africa.
  
• Learning from the best - An examination of local and international (Asia, Latin America) best practices and identification of key factors for success, replication and scalability.

• Perspectives from former African presidents - A number of former presidents will speak on their experiences, lessons learned and recommendations for the next generation of leadership.

The keynote address will be delivered by the prime minister of Kenya Raila Odinga. Former African Presidents, including Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, and Festus Mogae of Botswana will participate in a Panel Discussion of Former Presidents.

Speakers and invited stakeholders will include Bismark Rewane (MD of Financial Derivatives Company Ltd), Habib Kagimu (chairman Tamoil East Africa), Mugo Kibati (CEO of East Africa Cables), Michael Joseph (CEO Safaricom), Nkosana Moyo (Board of Trustees - Investment Climate Facility), Thaksin Sinawatra (former prime minister of Thailand), Trevor Ncube (chairman of the Mail & Guardian), Charles Mbire (chairman of MTN Uganda), Arthur Mashiatshidi (CEO Wesizwe, Global Agenda Council for the future of Mining and Metals), Aminata Niane (GM of Apix), Thierry Tanoh (vice president IFC), David Bridgeman (African Union senior representative), Trevor Manuel (minister in the presidency, SA), Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki (CEO of NEPAD), and Peter Draper (EAC senior representative), amongst others.

Awards are a platform to Africa's own

The symposium will be accentuated by the Africa 2.0 Award Ceremony & Gala Dinner. This event, sponsored by MTN and the OCP Group and partnering with MTV Base, serves to acknowledge the achievements of African men and women who have effected positive change over the past decade, as well as to raise funds to sustain the implementation of the Vision Africa 2020 action plan over the next decade. The awards are a platform to recognize and commend those home-grown African children who have pushed the limit of the unknown or the Not-Yet-Done in the business, social and institutional field and contributed to the upliftment of the continent.

Africa 2.0 is an advocacy group of young Africans from across the continent who have a collective vision for Africa and are committed to finding sustainable solutions to some of the most pressing economic and social issues facing Africans today.