During the three-day meeting in Cape Town, South Africa of the 23rd World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, from 8-10 May 2013, global leaders in business, government and civil society discussed a wide range of challenges facing the region, and recent advances in governance and economic growth.
10 May 2013: During the three-day meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, of the 23rd World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, from 8-10 May 2013, global leaders in business, government and civil society discussed a wide range of challenges facing the region, and recent advances in governance and economic growth.
Topics included economic outlooks, geopolitical tensions, innovations in science and technology, global partnerships, agriculture, financial services, energy, governance, health and mining. On the post-2015 development agenda, panelists discussed approaches to building an inclusive agenda for Africa, formulating measurable and attainable goals, and rethinking development frameworks. With respect to agriculture, panelists considered how partnerships can accelerate investment, bolster infrastructure development, lead to new regional markets and empower female farmers.
The WEF on Africa was preceded by the Grow Africa Agricultural Investment Forum, where the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) moderated a panel on the role of smallholder farmers in meeting Africa’s potential.
The Forum was hosted by the Grow Africa partnership, which seeks to promote greater private sector financing for African agriculture and supports the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). [IFAD Press Release] [WEF on Africa Website]