The 9th “Southern Africa Europe CEO Dialogue” will bring together top African and European business leaders in Johannesburg on November 10-11 to discuss strategic economic linkages and seek cooperative investment opportunities in priority areas.
The event is The European House – Ambrosetti’s annual flagship forum in the African Continent (no. 1 private Think Tank in Italy, no. 4 in Europe, and among the top 20 globally), organized in collaboration with the Gauteng Province, GGDA, and a selection of international public and private players, including Aspen, Brand SA, CLN-MA, DBSA, DHL Express, Finstone, BBM Law, Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation, Italian Trade Agency, Ital
150 CEOs are expected to attend, with the following confirmed speakers: Enoch Godongwana, South Africa’s Minister of Finance; Gwede Mantashe, South Africa’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources; Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Correctional Services; Panyaza Lesufi, Premier of Gauteng Province; Trevor Manuel, Chairman, Old Mutual; Mpho Phalatse, Executive Mayor, City of Johannesburg; Andreas Brand, CEO and Executive Director:
“Our CEO Dialogue strives to create an exclusive and influential network of executives to help them expand their businesses, countries, and continents.” Every year, we bring together prominent industrialists, governmental leaders, economists, and heads of multilateral agencies through a unique multi-stakeholder method, with the goal of drawing positive attention to strategic areas of economic cooperation and fostering international collaborations. We feel that, now more than ever, Africa is the place to be in times of socioeconomic transition and unexpected issues that follow the pandemic, such as the continued energy crisis, rising prices, and global supply chain disruption. It is both the present and the future of world development.” Pietro Mininni, The European House – Ambrosetti’s Head of African Affairs
“The African continent – where 11 of the 20 priority countries for Italian Cooperation are located – and Southern Africa in particular, are at the center of Italy’s cooperation plans and offer great prospects also for the private entities with which AICS collaborates, thanks to the tools made available by the Agency,” said Luca Maestripieri, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). In this light, the next Southern Africa Europe CEO Dialogue is an important chance for us to exchange perspectives with local actors and stakeholders in order to form future business collaborations that may respond to partner nations’ requirements for sustainable development.”
“The last two years have demonstrated the immense value of logistics in connecting people and improving lives across Sub Saharan Africa and the world.” This is why we are thrilled to launch the Future of African Cities report, which was created in collaboration with Ambrosetti. The report offers some eye-opening insights on how secondary cities in Sub-Saharan Africa will play a critical role in achieving equitable and sustainable development on the continent. We are honored to be a part of the 9th Southern Africa Europe CEO Dialogue, as well as a global CEO Group that supports the continent’s growth through concrete pledges.” DHL Sub Saharan Africa CEO Hennie Heymans
“The huge project of EXPO2030Rome will be an innovative forum for all the countries of the world, with the purpose of finding jointly strategic answers to the major issues of the future,” says Giuseppe Scognamiglio, Director-General, Rome Expo 2030 Nomination Committee. Development and environmental sustainability will not be antagonistic, but rather complementary, as will innovation and energy transformation; climate change and urban regeneration. This voyage begins in Johannesburg in 2022 and, hopefully, ends in Rome in 2030.”
“Our business climate has altered in unthinkable ways over the last three years,” says Henk van der Merwe, Regional Leader at MA Automotive Tool & Die. We are clearly on an unprecedented rollercoaster ride, therefore the new normal will not last long. The Ambrosetti Summit provides the ideal setting for a much-needed CEO debate, where industry leaders may exchange their perspectives and suggestions on how to navigate the current turbulence. I’m looking forward to working with you and interacting with you.”
“The Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone is glad to join The European House – Ambrosetti’s global network to foster conversation and long-term expansion of strategic trade and economic links between Europe and Southern Africa.” The annual CEO Dialogue has established itself as a critical venue for top-level business and institutional executives from both continents to share ideas, forge solid connections, and learn about the immense opportunities that exist in Euro-African relations. We invite both domestic and foreign businesses to join us in “the universe of game-changing chances.” MMSEZ-SOC is now open for business,” announced his CEO, Lehlogonolo Masoga. ”
“The COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrated the vast inequalities that exist in vaccines and therapeutic production and supply, unnecessarily increasing African mortality and morbidity. Local production capacities and capabilities ensure security of supply and even out vast distribution inequalities. Africa can never afford to find itself at the backend of the queue ever again and significant global focus and attention on realising appropriate and suitable vaccine and other therapeutic capabilities on the continent need to be intensified. Some of the immediate areas that require focus are the reform of global vaccine procurement mechanisms and the appropriate funding and financing of both procurement and the establishment of capacities.”, added Mr Stavros Nicolaou, Group Senior Executive: Strategic Trade Development at Aspen Pharmacare.
According to Mohan Vivekanandan, Group Executive at Development Bank of Southern Africa “The SA-EU Forum presents a substantial opportunity for the DBSA as a leading infrastructure financier in Africa to engage and strengthen relations with private companies from Europe operating across the infrastructure value chain with a shared ambition to scale infrastructure delivery across the African continent.”
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways plays a key role in enabling international trade through serving some 150 global destinations. These include seven new routes in Africa, which we have developed after COVID travel restrictions eased, and many airports in Europe, where we have a number of market leading positions. Our aim is to facilitate long term economic impact in a sustainable manner and this week’s dialogue represents an important collaboration in addressing a number of significant challenges. Qatar is a global gateway that can deliver economic trade benefits between Europe and Southern Africa, as well as bridge cultures and political partnerships. This is being demonstrated by the FIFA World Cup in under two weeks when we are literally bringing the world together.”
