FG hosts global investment forum in New York – Presidency

The Presidency says Nigeria, in collaboration with the Africa Business Roundtable, will be organising the second edition of the Nigeria International Economic Partnership Forum in New York, United States. NIEPF is a global economic investment platform, and is scheduled for Sept. 22, on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly taking place in the American city. According to a statement by Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman, the investment platform is being organised as part of continued efforts to further open up the country’s economy to international capital and attract foreign investment.

”Holding alongside the annual global gathering, the NIEPF is expected to draw the presence of world leaders in politics, economy, media as well as Civil Society Oganisations and international media to focus on the vast economic potentials of Nigeria and Africa’s leading economy,” he said. Shehu disclosed that  President Muhammadu Buhari would deliver the keynote address at the event. He said the president would also host a High-Level Presidential Session with fellow Presidents and Heads of delegations on Issues That Need Joint Action for African Countries on the Development Drive such as the Post COVID-19 recovery and financing priorities. It will also discuss Africa’s Investment Climate and Market as well as De-risking the Continent.

According to him, NIEPF will bring together top Nigerian government functionaries as well as renowned and  highly respected global public and private sector players rubbing minds on Nigeria’s Economic Outlook. He said they would also focuse on  Nigeria in The Global Economy; and International Partnership for Nigeria on The Development Drive. ”In view of the wide spectrum of personalities attending the forum, there will be cluster thematic sessions on: (i) Growing Nigeria’s Agriculture for Food Security & Access to Export Market with special focus on  Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War which presents opportunities for G720-Nigeria Partnerships in Agriculture. (ii) Scaling Up International Resources for Financing Education in Africa with emphasis on Making facilities to Link Government, Deal Sponsors and International Pools of Capital in Education. (iii) Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector: Reforms, Results and the Road focusing on Scaling Up Investment into the Gas Market—Plants, Parks, Cylinders, Reinjection.

”Other issues slated for discussion include: Scaling Up International Resources for Healthcare in Africa bordering on: Upgrading and expanding Nigeria’s Healthcare Infrastructure towards making Nigeria the “healthcare hub” for Africa. Climate Change and Paths to Clean Environment with emphasis on Paths to Clean Economy, Clean Energy and Clean Development. Financing Nigeria’s Infrastructure with emphasis on Developing infrastructures such as Farm to market corridor, Farm to ports corridor, Export transport corridor, Railway network, Road network upgrade and expansion, Airport upgrade, including dedicated airports for exports, Power generation, transmission and distribution. Speakers and panelists at the event include Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group; Bill Gates, Co-Founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Satya Nadella, Chairman Business Council of the United States and Chief Executive Officer Microsoft Corp.

Others are Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States, Florie Liser, President of the Corporate Council on Africa, and Members of the Business Council of International Understanding and Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Zainab Ahmed , Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; and Abdul-Samad Rabiu, Executive Chairman of BUA Group, Rabiu is also the President of the FranceFrance-Nigeria Business Council. Mark Zuckerberg, Chief Executive Officer of Facebook, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank and Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations will also speak at the event.