FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AeTrade Group unveils the Africa Strategic Investment Alliance at joint event with African Union and OECD Development Centre on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, September 18, 2023 with endorsement from the United Nations, African Union and key global partners
Official unveiling photo
19th September 2023, New York City– The Africa Strategic Investment Alliance high level event was convened under the leadership of His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn, former Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in collaboration with Ms Ragnheidur Arnadottir, Director of the OECD Development Centre, and Ambassador Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals. The co-organisers express their appreciation to His Majesty King Mswati III and President Paul Kagame who were both represented by Cabinet Ministers amongst other leaders for gracing the occasion of the unveiling of the Africa Strategic Investment Alliance at the Millenium Hilton Hotel in New York on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. The high-level meeting received special messages of support from H.E. Ms Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, H.E. Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission amongst others.
Several dignitaries witnessed the unveiling of the African Strategic Investment Alliance by Mr. Mulualem Syoum, Chief Executive officer of the AeTrade Group, including H.E. Dr. Peter Muthuki, Secretary General of the East African Community, Hon. Paula Ingabire, Minister for ICT and Innovation of the Republic of Rwanda, Hon. Senator Thulisile Dladla, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Hon. Senator Manqoba Khumalo, Minister for Commerce, Industry and Trade, Kingdom of Eswatini, H.E. Mr. Mohammed Béavogui, AeTrade Group Board member and former Prime Minister of Guinea, Dr Agnes Kalibata, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, H.E. Ms. Ayanda Dlodlo, Executive Director, World Bank, Mr. Chris Sharrock, Vice President for UN and International Organisations, Microsoft, Mr. Anton Leis Garcia, Director/CEO of the Spanish Development Cooperation and Mr. Thomas Ostros, Vice President, European Investment Bank amongst other distinguished delegates.
During his opening statement, His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairman of the AeTrade Group welcomed the leaders and delegates and underscored the importance of the event to forge partnerships that will fast track digital and financial inclusion in order to spur job creation for the large youthful population on the continent.
In his keynote address, His Majesty King Mswati III requested all African Governments, Public Institutions and Private Sectors and indeed, Africans in the Diaspora, to play a leading role in supporting this Foundation because it will address some of the challenges we faced in terms of creating opportunities for our youth. He further requested the international community and all development partners to embrace the Africa Strategic Investment Alliance and to find ways to collaborate, invest or indeed support the institutional development at the early stages of the journey.”
In her special message, H.E. Ms Amina Mohamed noted that the unveiling of the Africa Strategic Investment Alliance is timely, as the SDGs are mid-way, and there is an importance to turbocharge their implementation. Africa needs to invest in rural infrastructure. Investing in SMEs, who the engine to economic development, is a pathway to meet the SDGs and to enable their participation in the AfCFTA.
ASIA was warmly welcomed by H.E. Ambassador Albert Muchanga, the Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals as a significant contribution to Africa’s economic transformation including fast tracking financial and digital inclusion by empowering SMEs in Africa, especially women and youth. Ambassador Muchanga called for “the inclusion of the Africa Strategic Investment Alliance amongst the flagship projects of the second 10 year Agenda 2063 implementation plan. This was an opportunity to become part of a legacy for all stakeholders.”
The Director of OECD Development Centre provided the highlights to the AU/OECD African Development Dynamics Report for 2023 on Sustainable Investments. She highlighted the growing SDG financing gap affecting Africa, while nothing the significant investment opportunities and importance of ensuring better assessment of risks and returns. To that effect, she underlined the importance of improving the availability and quality of data as a basis for effective investment policies and mobilization of investment. She announced the forthcoming launch of the Africa Virtual Investment Platform which has been developed by the OECD and the African Union to address information gaps and enhance resource mobilization in Africa. She welcomed the ASIA as an opportunity to advance financial and digital inclusion and stressed that the Alliance can benefit from the OECD Development Centre work with and across Africa. “With innovative partnerships like these, we can begin a new chapter for cooperation with – and across – Africa.”
The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission warmly welcomed the ASIA, whilst explaining its complementarity with the African Union Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion (WYFEI) Initiative which is championed by H.E. Nana Akufo Addo, President of Ghana. She further elaborated on the African Union’s commitment to advocate for solid partnership in investment support for women and youth entrepreneurs and strengthening public-private partnerships.
Statements of support were also received from the President of AGRA, the Secretary General of the East African Community. During the panel session, several partners announced their commitment to continue to invest in digital and financial inclusion. The H.E. Ayanda Dlodlo, World Bank, Hon Paula Ingabire, the Government of Rwanda, Mr Chris Sharrock, Microsoft, Mr. Thomas Ostros, the European Investment Bank and Mr. Anton Leis Garcia, Spanish Development Cooperation participated in the panel session and provided their perspectives on the theme of finding pathways to accelerate and scale up digital and financial inclusion in Africa which was facilitated by Ms. Treasure Maphanga, AeTrade Group.
Mrs Treasure Maphanga
Chief Operating Officer
AeTrade Group
Kigali, Rwanda
info@aetradegroup.com