Dear Friends

We would like to welcome you to the 10th Annual Africa Business Conference.  Our theme “Controlling our destiny: Celebrating Africa’s Success” is quite fitting for the 10 year anniversary of the Africa Business Conference.  Since the Africa Business Club was founded 10 years ago, Africa has experienced an improving economic and political climate. This has enabled more Africans to fully adopt the entrepreneurial zeal to create and lead some truly exemplary institutions and initiatives. In recognition of this trend, the 10th Annual Africa Business Conference is dedicated to the African Entrepreneur.

We are witnessing an all time high in economic activities and interest in Africa. Instead of challenges and risks, investors and entrepreneurs are seeing untapped opportunities. Their rationale: the African economy has been growing at levels above 5% and a number of economic reforms have been put in place to improve the business climate. South Africa will be hosting the first ever FIFA World Cup creating avenues for infrastructure and economic development. Funding sources for Africa’s vital infrastructure needs have increased dramatically. Exciting new developments have taken place in Information technology and communication that can revolutionize our industries and change lives. Despite the credit crisis in the world financial markets, Africa’s capital markets are generating unforeseen high returns to investors. Finally, African entrepreneurs are developing emerging giants in the banking, telecommunication and energy industries. The time is upon us to seize these opportunities!

As we celebrate our 10th year anniversary, we hope to highlight Africa’s unparalleled achievements through the voices of the people that created and led these achievements. Our distinguished list of panelists and keynotes will speak about their roads to success and the many hurdles they had to overcome to attain their goals, especially in the context of developing human resources, accessing global capital and sustaining a competitive strategy in the global economy. We hope the 10th Annual Africa Business Conference will continue to act as a catalyst for future inspirational endeavors, in both the private and public sector that will captivate a global audience.  Please join us in making this goal a reality.

We look forward to your arrival!

Regards,
Barbara Iyayi                                                       
Chijioke Dozie
Conference Co-Chairs, 2008 Africa Business Conference