INTRODUCTION

The 2nd Africa Trade and Investment Conference took place at the Bay Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa from Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th April, 2008. It was attended by officials from global financial institutions and the Academia.

2. The Delegation from Ghana was led by the Hon. Minister, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu M.P. He was accompanied by Samuel Arkhurst of PEMU.

3. The Agenda for the meeting were presentations and discussions on the following:

• Risks and opportunities in the changing economic landscape of Africa
• Investing and managing risk in Africa
• Protecting your investment
• Africa’s new levels of governance
• Things can only get better? China’s economy to 2010: Africa’s role
• Sustainability of Africa’s resources investment boom
• ECA Finance
• The African bandwidth: telecoms and services panel discussion
• Infrastructure: ports, roads, transport and logistics; IDC project development in the continent
• Reforms and developments in the Nigeria Power sector
• Fuelling Africa: power and energy panel discussion
• Private equity into Africa
• Hot spots in Africa: managing your risks
• New approaches to project finance
• Financing Infrastructure projects in Africa: Is there a role for the private sector
• Financial solutions: panel discussion
• Investment and development

Deliberations

4. It was acknowledged that the risks form primary commodity dependence has not really affected Africa’s growth. Despite the oil price shocks, resource rich countries grew by 7.3 % with non-resource rich countries at 5.6%. Sub Saharan Africa grew by 6.2%. Excluding Nigeria and South Africa, the other African countries grew by 7.4%. There has been increased flow of FDI and lower inflationary pressures. The fact is indicating that either Africa may be coping better with the oil price shocks or the gains from other commodity prices or improved policy reform environment with reduced fuel subsidies and thereby less fiscal risk.

5. Delegates however expressed concern about the fragility of political governance in the region.

6. The emerging presence of China in Africa has redefined a new culture of business in Africa.

7. Ghana’s pursuit of appropriate reforms, good governance and macroeconomic stability was applauded by the delegates. The discovery of oil also gave the spot light to Ghana.

8. The Hon Minister gave a presentation at the panel discussion. (Presentation Attached)