By Our Reporter
EMRC, a not for profit organization that promotes sustainable development in Africa through growing business partnerships will hold the Africa Finance & Investment Forum 2015 (AFIF) in Cape Town, South Africa from 24th to 26th November 2015. The annual pan-African forum will focus on strengthening Africa’s private sector through a pragmatic and business oriented approach.
Under the theme ‘Access to Finance & Entrepreneurship’, the event is organized in collaboration with the European Investment Bank (EIB), DEG (German Development Finance Institution) and in partnership with ECOWAS-TEN, Agri Academy (South Africa), Pfizer, BlueCloud (United Kingdom) amongst others.
According to Ines Bastos the EMRC Senior Project Manager, AFIF accommodates innovation and brings to the table financiers who are looking to find real projects, investment opportunities and long-term partnerships.
“There is a spirit to get things done and have real and effective B2Bs. At EMRC we measure the success of our conferences through the partnerships that are forged during/after our Forums. Fortunately we have great success stories. The pragmatic side of our events is what makes partners, speakers and participants keep coming back year after year,” she says.
With an expected 300 participants from all over the world, the three days event will see North and South policymakers, financiers, bankers and private sector entrepreneurs discuss and find practical business solutions. It will focus on strengthening Africa’s private sector through a pragmatic and business oriented approach.
“This year, with AFIF being held in Africa for the first time, the meaning of North and South and South and South partnerships will be truly put into practice. This is the essence of AFIF and we expect that strong business partnerships and results are established. We already have some strong partners and speakers confirmed, which shows how important investing and finance in Africa has become,” says Idit Miller, EMRC Vice President and Managing Director.
AFIF regroups three key target groups: Entrepreneurs (project owners, CEO etc), financial institutions (Banks) and investors interested in investing directly in banks or projects (DFIs/IFIs/Foundations).