On 19 November, Shared Value Africa Initiative and Strathmore University Business School partnered on the fourth installation of a series of CEO Dialogues.

Titled “AfCFTA: Making Africa Realise its Business Potential Globally”, the Dialogue focused on key issues that will help Africa unlock its potential through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as the role of business, government and stakeholders for effective implementation.

The panel included Nzioka Waita (Chief of Staff, State House & Head of Kenya’s Presidential Delivery Unit), Dr. Francis Mangeni (Director of Trade, Customs and Monetary Affairs, COMESA), Aarti Shah (Chief Operating Officer, Africa), Farla Medical Ltd), Prof. Robert Mudida (Faculty, Strathmore University Business School), George Wood (Customer Operations Manager & Customs Customer Support Manager, DHL Express – Sub-Saharan Africa), and Bright Simons (President, mPedigree).

Moderated by Chitra Nawbatt (Business Journalist), the dynamic engagement brought together these perspectives on focus areas that need to be interrogated as we are on the eve of implementing the AfCFTA for tangible results for all. The speakers deliberated on issues such as cultural integration, the role of pollical leadership, requirements of infrastructure development to support AfCFTA; promotion of local manufacture; and the potential of the AfCFTA to affect a circular economy.

As the continent counts down to the start of the AfCFTA it was agreed by all that a common thread of a collaborating and not seeing each other as competitors would be important in ensuring ownership by all of the AfCFTA.

To view the session, please visit this link CEO Dialogue November session.