logo
Djibouti to gather leaders in finance and industry to accelerate investments across Africa in a new global order

Djibouti to gather leaders in finance and industry to accelerate investments across Africa in a new global order

Zawya03-04-2025

DJIBOUTI City, Djibouti -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The second edition of the Djibouti Forum will bring together important leaders in finance and business from over 50 countries to help kickstart a new era for investment in a fast moving and changing global order.
Hosted by the Fonds Souverain de Djibouti (Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti), this exclusive gathering has been designed to catalyse investments across Africa while highlighting the Horn of Africa's crucial role as a driver of regional growth and development.
This two-day Forum will discuss how future economic megatrends will impact the continent as well as bringing together leaders from several development banks to discuss the increasingly important role of African multilateral development banks and how to leverage their balance sheets to drive greater growth.
'The objective of the Djibouti Forum is to connect Africa's financial and business community and guide it in seizing the continent's unique and growing commercial and investment opportunities' stated Dr. Slim Feriani, CEO of the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti. 'Djibouti being at the intersection of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, is the right strategic partner to facilitate partnerships for our region's growth and development.' Through the visionary leadership of Djibouti's President, the Forum serves as a dynamic platform for a broad dialogue to help leaders address key shifts that will impact investment flows.
The event is set to host financiers managing over $2 trillion in assets under management, with strong participation from sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, and leading development finance institutions, including the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the African Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the African Finance Corporation, the Trade and Development Bank, and Afreximbank. The Forum expects 50 speakers and 400 international and regional high-level delegates to drive impactful discussions and meaningful collaborations.
Distinguished speakers include Sidi Ould Tah, President, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Solomon Quaynor, Vice-President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization, AfDB, Admassu Tadesse, President and Managing Director, Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB), Aminu Umar-Sadiq, CEO of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Bahruz Bahramov, Deputy CEO, State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), Miguel Azevedo, Managing Director Vice-Chair, Investment Banking Middle East & Africa, Citigroup, Lionel Zinsou, Former Prime Minister of Benin and Co-founder, SouthBridge, Acha Leke, Senior Partner & Chairman, McKinsey & Company, Africa, Carlos Lopes, Honorary Professor, Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town, Tidjane Thiam, Former CEO at Prudential and Credit Suisse, Executive Chairman of Freedom Acquisition Corporation, Thierno-Habib Hann, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Shelter Afrique and Hassan Jaber, Chief Executive Officer, Axian Telecom.
Participants can access the full agenda directly on the Djibouti Forum website and follow live discussions from African Business social media platforms.
Distributed by African Media Agency. on behalf of IC Publications
About the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti
Established in March 2020, the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti is helping to build a multigenerational savings pot, improve governance, diversify the economy and catalyse greenfield investments in the country's strategic sectors. These include sustainable natural resources and energy, telecommunications and digital infrastructure, technology, tourism, financial services, critical infrastructure and services, healthcare and education. For more information visit: https://www.fsd.dj.
Media contact
IC Publications
Isabelle Dana
i.dana@icpublications.com

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Orange Middle East and Africa and risingSUD join forces
Orange Middle East and Africa and risingSUD join forces

Broadcast Pro

time2 days ago

  • Broadcast Pro

Orange Middle East and Africa and risingSUD join forces

This three-year partnership aims to bring together innovation ecosystems in Africa, the Middle East and the South of France. At the Viva Technology trade show in Paris, Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA), represented by CEO Jérôme Hénique, and risingSUD, led by President Bernard Kleynhoff, announced a strategic partnership designed to accelerate the international growth of African startups. The agreement, spanning three years, will support the integration of startups from the Orange Digital Centre network into the dynamic business environment of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southern France. The partnership aims to connect innovation ecosystems across Africa, the Middle East and southern France. Startups within the Orange Digital Centre network will receive dedicated support from risingSUD, the regional economic development agency, to establish operations in an area already home to 500,000 companies, including global tech leaders and forward-thinking startups. This collaboration strengthens OMEA’s efforts to internationalise African and Middle Eastern startups and highlights its broader commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship across the continent. With a presence in 17 countries in Africa and the Middle East and eight in Europe, the Orange Digital Centre network offers an inclusive and accessible platform for digital training, startup incubation and acceleration, and project funding. Already this year, risingSUD has helped 14 African businesses set up in southern France, including Guépard, a startup from the Orange Digital Centre in Tunisia, which recently opened an office in Marseille. The new partnership will expand such opportunities, enabling more startups from Africa and the Middle East to benefit from risingSUD’s expertise, whether through project support, financing access, or connections with international partners. It also opens pathways for local talent and entrepreneurs in southern France to engage with the Orange Digital Center network. ?Commenting on the partnership, Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, commented: “This partnership with risingSUD marks a key step in our ambition to promote African innovation internationally. It is a continuation of the support we offer startups through our Orange Digital Centers. By facilitating their establishment and acceleration in France, particularly in the South region, we are giving young African companies the means to accelerate their growth.” Bernard Kleynhoff, President of risingSUD and President of the Economic and Digital Development, Industry, Export, Attractiveness and Cybersecurity Commissions of the Sud Region, added: 'Thanks to its strategic position, its historical trade flows and its commitment to innovation, the South of France is a natural bridge between Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It is now the leading French region for hosting African investment projects. This partnership opens up new economic opportunities and constitutes a real springboard for the development of businesses on both sides of the Mediterranean.'

SCCI underscores need for facilitating trade missions to Ethiopia
SCCI underscores need for facilitating trade missions to Ethiopia

Sharjah 24

time2 days ago

  • Sharjah 24

SCCI underscores need for facilitating trade missions to Ethiopia

Strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties The Chamber also seeks to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties between the UAE and Ethiopia, as part of its strategic vision to expand the outreach of its trade mission throughout Africa. These remarks were made during a meeting, held at SCCI's headquarters, between Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, and Aklilu Kebede Erena, Consul General of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Duba and Northern Emirates. The meeting was attended by a number of SCCI board members, alongside Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI; Dr. Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of the International Relations Department at SCCI, and several officials from both sides. Discussed ways to strengthen economic partnership During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to strengthen economic partnership between Sharjah and Ethiopia. They underscored the potential for expanding investment and trade in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure. They also addressed the importance of co-hosting economic events, including exhibitions and conferences that bring together business communities from both countries, thereby fostering the exchange of expertise and supporting the growth of mutual investments.4 The efforts can by further reinforced by the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Sharjah Chamber and the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), which provides a strategic framework for enhancing bilateral economic and investment cooperation. AED 34 billion between 2013 and 2022 Abdallah Sultan Al Owais extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation and praised the strong and growing economic relations between the UAE and Ethiopia. He noted that non-oil trade between the two countries recorded a growth of more than 180% over the past years, reaching a cumulative value of AED 34 billion between 2013 and 2022. He added that these positive outcomes pave the way for broader economic and trade collaboration between the two friendly nations, enabling both sides to capitalize on their diverse investment opportunities. Reaffirmed the Sharjah Chamber's commitment to deepening economic partnerships with East African countries Al Owais reaffirmed the Sharjah Chamber's commitment to deepening economic partnerships with East African countries, noting that the African continent, particularly Ethiopia, possesses significant investment potential in key sectors. This positions the continent as a highly attractive destination for investors and business leaders from Sharjah and the UAE at large. For his part, Aklilu Kebede Erena commended the Sharjah Chamber for its proactive efforts to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and its commitment to fostering closer ties between the business community in Sharjah and its counterparts in Ethiopia. He emphasised that Ethiopia welcomes foreign investment and offers promising opportunities in vital sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure.

African MBAs Surge as US Retains Global Appeal
African MBAs Surge as US Retains Global Appeal

Arabian Post

time3 days ago

  • Arabian Post

African MBAs Surge as US Retains Global Appeal

Applications from African professionals to American MBA programmes are climbing sharply, driven by robust scholarship support, evolving diversity strategies, and a post-pandemic appetite for international career mobility. African candidates are finding new momentum in American business schools thanks to generous funding sources such as the TY Danjuma MBA Scholarship, established in 2011. The fund supports admissions at top‑ranked global institutions, awarding 64 students from nations including Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa as of June 2025. Beyond philanthropy, several US business schools have intensified recruitment of African talent through partnerships with organisations like the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, dedicated to broadening minority representation. Insiders at leading MBA consultancies confirm growing African interest in US programmes. Scott Edinburgh, an established Boston‑based admissions consultant, attributes this surge to the unparalleled career placement and expansive networking opportunities American MBAs provide. Demand is intensifying despite global shifts in immigration policies. ADVERTISEMENT This trend coincides with a broader graduate‑level movement. Data from AACSB‑accredited schools shows master's level international enrolment, including MBA participation, grew by 30 percent from 2018–19 to 2023–24. Notably, Africa recorded a 53 percent rise in enrolment across master's programmes during that period. Admissions surveys indicate talent from Africa is drawn not just by reputational prestige but also by programmes tailored to their ambitions. Institutions are proactively wooing African candidates with targeted initiatives. Several top MBAs have launched diversity recruitment drives, some in alliance with global equity‑focused organisations, while others offer Africa‑specific case studies and entrepreneurial encouragement. The success of applicants from Africa and underrepresented groups in general is being amplified by post‑affirmative action efforts. Certain programmes have posted increases in minority enrollment, with schools such as UC Berkeley Haas and University of Michigan Ross reporting near‑doubling of underrepresented minority intakes. That momentum extends to African aspirants, especially as institutions emphasise real‑world impact of graduates from diverse backgrounds. However, this enthusiasm coincides with challenges. Admission cohorts prefer candidates in their mid‑20s with approximately five years of work experience, and delaying application could hinder competitiveness. African candidates must act swiftly, aligning with Round 1 application cycles, as advised by admissions consultants like Ibonye, an MTN strategist based in Lagos. Still, visa uncertainties and geopolitical tensions persist. For instance, the US State Department has announced stricter scrutiny of Chinese applicants, though African students have yet to face similar restrictions. In response, universities continue reinforcing support structures, offering legal advice, career services, and alumni networks to ensure smooth integration. Funding remains a pivotal factor. Beyond institutional aid, African-focused scholarships such as the TY Danjuma fund—which covers tuition and living expenses for students admitted to Financial Times–ranked top‑10 schools—play a key role. Prospective students are encouraged to demonstrate financial need and secure early confirmation of funding. There is also mounting emphasis on entrepreneurship. Business schools are increasingly incorporating African‑relevant case studies, and some are including incubator programmes aimed at scaling African SMEs. Experts suggest this strengthens curricula and fosters durable global impact. Taken together, the rise of African applications to American MBA programmes signifies a strategic realignment. With strong financial backing, supportive institutional networks, and a bold recruitment drive, these candidates are well‑positioned to enter competitive cohorts. Meanwhile, schools welcome these professionals for their potential to energise diverse learning environments and contribute new perspectives to global leadership. As the 2025–26 admissions cycle unfolds, Africa is not merely keeping pace—it is reshaping the global MBA landscape, leveraging opportunity and ambition in equal measure.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store