17th COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Africa Economic Forum

Africa on the Move: Charting a Path Forward in the Wake of a Global Crisis

March 22-26, 2021

(Fully Virtual)

About AEF 2021

We are excited to announce the 17th Africa Economic Forum (formerly African Economic Forum), a student-led collaboration between Columbia Business School and the School of International and Public Affairs. We look forward to having you join us and our distinguished speakers in this first virtual edition as we explore the theme — Africa on the Move: Charting a Path Forward in the Wake of a Global Crisis.

Our goal this year is to evaluate the progress being made on the continent amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in areas including trade, healthcare, technology and innovation, social movements, and capital investment. While showcasing this growth and development over the past year, we will discuss solutions to the pressing issues that will likely challenge Africa's post-pandemic economic recovery.

Through candid and holistic conversations, this year’s conference will provide a lively virtual space to discuss the ways in which creative and innovative ideas can be leveraged to positively shape Africa's future and cement it's place as a major player in the global economy.

AEF continues to provide a forum for meaningful engagement and thought-provoking discussions and this year will be no different. You'll hear from an impressive lineup of speakers from across the region and even in these unprecedented times, we expect participants to leave with a renewed sense of hope in Africa's success and to be inspired to do their part in moving the continent forward.

2021 Co-chairs

Agenda

March 22-26, 2021

Click on days of the week for details

12:45pm - 2:00pm

12:30pm - 1:30pm

08:15am - 9:00pm

08:00am - 7:00pm

08:45am - 1:30pm

Download full agenda here

Keynote Speakers

FEATURED INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Leadership

Nunu Ntshingila

CEO, Facebook Africa

Nunu is Facebook's Regional Director for Africa tasked with driving the company’s strategy to increase connectivity, give people the power to build community, and assist small to large businesses with their growth plans. Nunu has held various positions in the Africa region across Business Leadership, Marketing & Advertising, Infrastructure and Development. Her 30-year career has combined business leadership with development issues in response to the needs of the Africa region.

Continue

Dr. Albert G. Zeufack

World Bank Chief Economist for Africa

Dr. Zeufack is a Cameroonian national and the World Bank’s Chief Economist for Africa. Prior to his appointment in May 2016, he was Practice Manager in the Macroeconomics and Fiscal Management Global Practice and Leader of the World Bank-wide Community of Practice for the Management of Natural Resources Rents. His main research interest is in the micro-foundations of macroeconomics.

Continue

Dr. Albert G. Zeufack-removebg-preview-r

Economist

Business Executive

Kuseni Dlamini

Chairman, Massmart Holdings

Kuseni is the chairman of JSE-listed Massmart Holdings Ltd, a leading African retail group operating over 400 stores in 13 Sub-Saharan countries. He is the Chairman of Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd, the leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in the southern hemisphere with operations in over 50 countries. He is also the Chairman of The American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa and a member of the board of the Southern Africa-Canada Chamber of Commerce.

Continue