In partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco, Bloomberg Media organized its first conference, the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa, in Marrakech on June 13-14. On this occasion, Michael Bloomberg thanked King Mohammed VI and praised Morocco’s central role in tackling global challenges during the opening of the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa in Marrakech.
Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa brought together more than 200 economic and political decision-makers, national and international, to discuss responses to current challenges and contribute to the rise of a sustainable Africa. Several announcements have been made.
On the first day of the forum, Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director of the IMF’s African Department, announced during a panel discussion that Zambia’s creditors are close to reaching an agreement that will allow the Fund to disburse 188 million dollars to the country. He also said the talks were ” extremely active and we are hopeful that something will come to fruition in the next few weeks “.
For her part, Moroccan Energy Minister Leila Benali discussed plans to attract investors for a large-scale green hydrogen project for export to Europe. ” In Africa, there is no time to waste […] because on the continent are some of the countries most vulnerable to climate change “, she underlined, underlining the urgency of the fight against climate change.
Florizelle Liser, President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa, explained that the perception of risk in Africa, particularly from the United States, is “higher than it actually is”, while ‘Herbert Mensah, Chairman of Rugby Africa, called for increased investment to incentivize Africa’s top athletes to stay on the continent, noting that “ the potential in Africa is considerable “.
During a panel on Pan-Africanism, Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stressed that the international balance of power was changing and that Africa must position itself and continue to have discussions. constructively with partners such as the United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom and China. Mene also explained that the African market will be one of the most competitive ever within 20 to 30 years.
Martin Ewald, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, Social Return Investments, Allianz Global Investors, highlighted that while Africa has great clean energy potential, it faces challenges. related to the lack of investment in promising projects, and the need for business models that are more favorable to investments, and to long-term cash investments.