South Africa named host of 2013 World Economic Forum on Africa

South Africa will hold the 23rd edition of the World Economic Forum on Africa, the WEF announced February 26, 2013.

The event will come-off May 8-10, 2013 in Cape Town, the Geneva-based Forum said in a statement.

“With the support of the Government of South Africa, the meeting will be held in Cape Town,” it said.

Themed “Delivering on Africa’s Promise”, the meeting will be co-chaired by five strong personalities. They are Mo Ibrahim, Chairman, Mo Ibrahim Foundation; Mustafa Vehbi Koç, Chairman of the Board, Koç Holding, Turkey; Frannie Léautier, Executive Secretary, The African Capacity Building Foundation, Zimbabwe; Global Agenda Council on Youth Unemployment; Arif M. Naqvi, Founder and Group Chief Executive, The Abraaj Group, United Arab Emirates and Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The event is expected to provide an unrivalled platform for key decision-makers from industry, government, academia, the media, civil society and young leaders to understand and shape Africa’s future.

The WEF says the programme will focus on deepening the continent’s integration and renewing commitments to a sustainable path of growth and development by addressing the core themes – Accelerating Economic Diversification; Boosting Strategic Infrastructure and Unlocking Africa’s Talent.

Last year’s Forum was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

By Ekow Quandzie