Just reading the list of topics to be discussed is enough to make a person interested in Africa and business want to salivate. Then you find out some of the big names that will be in the building AND the fact that Naeto C and Chi Chi & Chi Chi E will be kicking off the event with a concert and fashion show…and it’s pretty much a wrap. Judging from the website and buzz among friends, it looks like the 12th Annual Africa Business Conference, hosted by Harvard’s Africa Business Club, is going to be great with relevant topics, people and copious opportunities to engage & network.  If you haven’t already, clear your schedules for next weekend and register – the conference will be held from February 19-20 in Boston, Massachusetts.  Most of the events will happen on the Harvard Business School campus but a few events will take place elsewhere – the concert, fashion show and banquet at Westin Copley Place and Friday’s after party at Saints Boston.  For more details, check the official conference website. See you next week!

Sampling of Panels:

Social Enterprise in Africa: Attracting Private Sector Investment

What level of impact and financial return should a social enterprise have in order to attract private capital as a pre-requisite to achieving scale? Some think social enterprise and profit don’t even belong in the same sentence. Others argue that commercial level returns (coupled with a good social impact) suffices. Still, many believe that social enterprises in Africa need to compensate for investors’ “Africa fright” by earning above average commercial returns in order to attract significant private capital. Where do you come out on this? Join our panelists and expert moderator for an honest conversation.

• Nvalaye Kourouma
• Moderator: Michael Chu, Senior Lecturer of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
• Panel Coordinators: Taiwo Ajayi, Neha Patel, Yaw Agyenim-Boateng

The New Face of Entrepreneurship in Africa

An indepth look into the many ways that emerging and experienced African Entrepreneurs are creating and capturing value across the Continent. This panel brings together Entreprenuers in differing stages of business development to discuss their collective experiences and lessons learned along the way.

• Peter Mombaur, Partner, African Holdings PLC
• Obinna Ekezie, President and Managing Director, Zeep Travel Network
• Bruce Ayonote, CEO, The Suburban Group
• Chukwuka Monye, Founding Partner, Ciuci Consulting
• Lawrence Achigbu, CEO and Founder, Chimos Group
• Moderator: Mukti Khaire, Assistant Professor, Harvard Business School
• Panel Coordinators: Akintunde Kehinde, Hafeez Giwa, Taire Avbovbo

Business & Politics: Strange Bedfellows or Inevitable Allies?

We’ve all heard this one: politicians are in bed with big businesses. But, what does that mean for a continent that’s coming of age? One school of thought says it’s true, symbiotic and inevitable: Politicians need campaign financing, businesspeople need political/regulatory favors. Others believe that the role of government is to create a predictable business environment for all and anything more or less stifles Africa’s economic growth. What do you think? What do our panelists think? Join us for an honest conversation about the role of Business in Politics and vice versa.

• Nasir El-Rufai, Former Minister, Federal Capital Territory of Abuja
• Zemedeneh Negatu, Managing Partner, Ernst & Young, Ethiopia
• Kwaku Agyenim-Boateng, Member, The Parliament of Ghana
• Moderator: Catherine Duggan, Professor, Harvard Business School
• Panel Coordinators: Julia Mensah, Yaw Agyenim-Boateng

Media & Entertaiment

This panel aims to explore the increasing influence and expanding reach of the various outlets of the African Media and Entertainment Industry.

• Mark Walton, Executive VP, The Africa Channel
• Toyin Subair, Founder and CEO, HiTV
• Naetochukwu Chikwe “Naeto C”, Musical Artist, Storm 360
• Panel Coordinator: Akintunde Kehinde, Hafeez Giwa, Taire Avbovbo

African Telecom: Growth and New Opportunities

In 2008, Africa saw the world’s largest growth in mobile phones.  As penetration numbers increase across the continent, the focus is shifting from growth to enhanced data plans and mobile-based services.  This panel aims to explore the latest trends in telecommunications in Africa, and new opportunities for both mobile operators and businesses providing mobile-based services.

• Tito Alai, CEO, Mimi Africa
• Obinna Nweje, General Manager, MTN Group
• Uche Ofodile, Head of Strategy, Vodafone Ghana
• Zakir Gaibi, Principal, McKinsey & Company
• Moderator: Calestous Juma, Professor, Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government
• Panel Coordinator: Tawanda Sibanda

Developing Leaders for Africa

This panel aims to explore the challenges that the continent faces in developing good leaders in both the corporate and political arenas, and highlight critical success factors that significantly impact the ability to foster effective leadership in these contexts.

• Nuhu Ribadu, Visiting Fellow, Centre for Global Development, Washington DC
• Roland Akosah, Founder and CEO, ENO International, Ghana
• Ambassador Princeton Lyman, Adjunct Professor, Council on Foreign Relations
• Moderator: Linda Hill, Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School

Lastly, a little Naeto C for your viewing pleasure….Enjoy!

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