3rd Annual Africa Trade & Investment Conference

Event Review

The range and breadth of topics discussed at Exporta’s 3rd African Trade and Investment Finance Conference fully demonstrated the cautious optimism felt by most investors when speaking about African opportunities. In a world of increasing doom and gloom, where traditional relationships are infected with mistrust and a lack of credit, the conference showed that there is still appetite for supporting home- grown entrepreneurial talent to create markets, where exceptional growth is being achieved.

Over a hundred delegates agreed that south- south trade and export diversification would be the driving force behind the fledgling manufacturing base that is emerging throughout the continent, tempering the decline in income as commodity prices plummet. This was concurred dDespite the risks posed by potential political instability, exchange rate volatility, logistical inadequacies and a thin layer of managerial capacity faced by many countries.

However, while a feeling of optimism reigned at the conference, which was attended by bankers and investors, there were also voices urging constraint because of the negative impacts the global financial crisis have has already had on Africa. The twin spectres of protectionism and lack of liquidity threaten to extinguish the green shoots of economic activity, but with Africa becoming increasingly urbanised and needing US$80bn in infrastructure investment in the next few years, everyone agreed that this sleeping lion would be the one to watch…

Some feedback from the conference:

“Very interesting conference giving hope for the future development of Africa.” 
Kacou Georges, BNI

“A great opportunity to talk to experts and top specialists in the field. Very spot- on conference.”
 CA Thomes, Deutsche Forfait

“Excellent mix of topical subjects and personalities for a conference of this nature.”
E Finaughty, Rand Asia Trade Finance

“A wonderful conference in terms of content, participants and carefully planned networking sessions. For me, attendance was time well  spentwell spent.”
B.O. Oramah, Afreximbank
 

Description

Exporta’s 3rd Annual Africa Trade & Investment Conference is an international event attended by the senior decision-makers of the trade and export industry.

Africa has always been the place to do high-margin trade finance business. However, with commodity
prices so volatile and international corporations occupied with managing their haemorrhaging balance
sheets, larger multinationals are not the only players in the marketplace - now is a perfect time for confident domestic African businesses to exploit opportunities.

With a consistent year-on-year growth in average GDP, the African continent represents the final frontier for intrepid investors looking for long-term gains. This means a flurry of activity across many countries and a multitude of commodities. Moreover, the return to traditional banking like trade, structured commodity and export finance mean that deals are becoming bankable that were not just a year ago.

This conference looks at the opportunities that the current climate is creating, and the challenges that are still discouraging potential risk-takers from entering the fray.

The event offers unrivalled networking opportunities for delegates clumbinating in a wine-tasting reception.  Delegates attend from all over Africa, as well as from Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Topical issues which will be discussed during the conference:

• Reviewing the geo-political climate across the nations – where is the best place for FDI
• The impact of the credit crunch on African trade deals
• Providing new liquidity and risk mitigation through Africa’s local banking network
• The growth of Agribusiness and other non-commodity exports
• How can regular export finance deal-flow take off in Africa?
• China and the emergence of South-South trade
• Industry analysis of the mining, soft commodities, oil & gas, and telecoms sectors
• Taking a regional approach to trade logistics and infrastructure development
• Enhancing finance across the whole supply chain: From producer to end-user, collateral manager and logistics company
• Practical tips to ensure security and safe passage of collateral
• The use of PRI in African trade deals
• How can SMEs obtain adequate finance levels in the current climate?

Who should attend?

- Exporters
- Importers
- Traders
- International financiers
- Policy advisors
- Local and regional bankers
- Fund managers
- Venture capitalists
- Multilateral agencies
- Insurers
- Lawyers

"It’s a great opportunity to showcase the positive trends on trade and investment in Africa."
Samuel Mugoya, African Export-Import Bank

"Gathering of cutting edge trade and investment trends in Africa. Excellent forum for networking."
Gift Simwaka, African Trade Insurance Agency

Event Photos

Brochure

Programme

Day One – Thursday, March 26, 2009

08.15    
Registration and coffee

09.00    
Chairman’s opening remarks 
Mr Edenezer Essoka, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank

09.05
Keynote speech
Jean Louis Ekra, President, Afreximbank

• Overview of growth in both quantity and quality of deals          
• Benefits of decoupling and self sufficiency in these turbulent time
• Some recent examples of bankable deals
• Localised initiatives available to assist with export-driven growth to Bric economies
• Forecast for the future      

10.00   
Liquidity panel: discovering untapped sources of funding

Moderator: Konrad Reuss, Head, South Africa & Sub-Sahara, Standard & Poor’s
J Mawuli Ababio, Managing Director, Venture Capitalists Association
Taiwo Adeniji, Chief Risk Officer, African Finance Corporation
B O Oramah, Executive Vice-President, Afreximbank
Avril Stassen, Investment Advisor, Agrivie

• Impact of the credit crunch on FDI. How has Africa managed to weather the storm?
• Local vs foreign banks: which are better partners in a downturn?
• How resilient is their risk appetite in times of tight liquidity?
• The effect of government reforms on sovereign risk and the resulting access to credit
• Outlook for the short-to-medium term

10.45   
Networking break
                                    
11.15   
Investing for value in the agribusiness sector in Sub-Saharan Africa
Avril Stassen, Investment Advisor, Agrivie

• The case for direct (private equity) investment in agribusiness in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Direct investment activities and related developments in the sector
• Investment opportunity areas
• Investment risks to manage
• Medium-term investment outlook

11.45   
Financing the commodity supply chain through collateral control
Andre Soumah, Chairman, Ace Audit Control & Expertise Global

• Identifying operational risk bottlenecks: practical tips for management
• Structuring solutions for releasing liquidity at key trigger points
• Creating bespoke strategies for different sectors
• Challenges to overcome as more markets open up     

12.15
Deal Financing Panel: What now for the structured trade deals in Africa?

Moderator: Andreas Rusch, Consultant, Bongani Consulting
Zhann Meyer, Director of Agriculture, Commodity Traders and Agribusiness, Standard Chartered Bank
Andre Soumah, Chairman, Ace Audit Control and Expertise Global
Werner Tappen, Director, Trade & Export Finance, Sub-Saharan Region, WestLB
Sekete Mokgehle, Head, Structured Trade & Commodity Finance, Nedbank

•  What is the fallout from the current economic crisis likely to be for financing trade deals in the continent?
• What structures could or should be used for trade finance transactions in the current market: can longer tenors be considered?
• The involvement of multilateral agencies, development banks, export credit agencies and the like in co-financings with commercial lenders and how to achieve this
• What to do if a financing transaction runs into problems: how and what action to enforce or not
• Evaluating the new laws and regulations designed to introduce a common market within Africa
• What is the medium-term outlook for the industry? Where will the next big story arise?

13.00   
Lunch

14.30
ECA panel: Underwriting trade and investment to the region

Moderated by Charles Carlson, Global Head, Structured Export Finance, Standard Chartered Bank
Michael Creighton, Head of Sace, South Africa 
Susanne With, Senior Advisor, EKN
Ray Ellis, Vice President & Manager, Strategic Initiatives Division, Export-Import Bank of the U.S. 

• What is the role of multilateral insurers in the region, what projects do they get involved in, and is it a big part of their global exposure?
• What is the appetite for risk in the region, is it project/ sector specific?
• Which territories are particularly problematic?
• What challenges do agencies face when setting credit limits for local companies looking to expand?
• What initiatives are being planned to support future exports within the region?
   

15.20   
A new template for African development: incorporating CSR at the financing stage
Susanne With, Senior Advisor, EKN

• What is corporate social responsibility (CSR)?
• Why should you consider it?
• How does it affect the financing of projects?
• Recent examples

15.45   
Networking break

16.15   
Legal protection for your international sales, loans and investments

Tony George, Partner, Political & Trade Credit Risks, Ince & Co
Carol Searle, Partner, Political & Trade Credit Risks, Ince & Co

• The contract
• The international treaty
• The insurance policy
• Arbitration, litigation and alternative dispute resolution
• Security, enforcement and recovery

17.15   
Chairman’s concluding remarks and close of Day One

17.30   
Wine Tasting & Networking Drinks Reception
An unrivalled opportunity to network while tasting and learning about a variety of wines from the Cape region

Day Two –  Friday,  March 27, 2009

08.30   
Registration and coffee

09.10   
Chairman’s opening remarks

Forging new trading relationships and practices

09.15
Keynote speech: The growth of south-south trade between Africa and other emerging markets
Capital investment + free trade = sustainable growth: how African governments can guarantee the formula for success!

Hon James Omingo Magara, MP, Asst Minister for Trade, Government of Kenya

• Ensuring a secure and transparent legal framework for inward investment
• Promoting regional initiatives to simplify cross-border transactions
• Building infrastructure and a skilled workforce to provide a viable alternative to Asia
• Actively campaign to remove historical influences and anti-competitive practices
   

10.00
Panel discussion: Trade corridors - connecting markets
Sabrina Borlini, Trade Specialist, Africa, IFC
Vinod Goel, Chief Representative, India Ex-Im Bank
Zubair Suliman, Senior Investment Manager, DEG SA

• Forging new trade links and routes, using SA best practice
• Obtaining multilateral support: challenges and benefits
• Managing without the usual security of a developed trade services infrastructure: redefining risk transfer models and mitigation methods
• Emphasis on Comesa trade
• Regional trade facilitation reform and infrastructure investment
• Using PPP to promote sustainable long term growth
• Understanding the local financial infrastructure and credit environment in the emerging markets

10.45   
Networking break

11.00
A corporate perspective on financing African transactions
Suresh Vaidyanathan, Group CFO, Platinum Corporation

• Trade finance scenario and challenges for corporates in the current meltdown
• Financing trade transactions in the African context
• Corporate expectations from financial institutions
• Criticality of corporate-FI partnership in economic revival

11.45
Insurance case study: Trade credit and risk mitigation in Southern Africa
Martin Edge, Ececutive Director, First Africa

12.30   
Chairman’s concluding remarks and close of conference

12.45   
Networking lunch

• Key risks faced by exporters within Africa
• Credit insurance: availability and practice within Sub-Saharan Africa
• Risk mitigation practices in region
• The application of international credit management disciplines in volatile markets such as Zimbabwe and Somalia

Venue

Accommodation

Accommodation details will be sent upon registration.

If you require any further information, please contact events@exportagroup.com on Tel: +44 20 8673 9666

Sponsors

Sponsorship opportunities including exhibition stands are available for this event.

To become a sponsor, please contact Tom Whitehead, Head of Sponsorship Sales at twhitehead@exportagroup.com.

Exporta's events have a global reputation, renowned for superb networking opportunities and educational presentations by high-profile speakers.

Time after time our events attract the leading companies in our market as sponsors.

See below for a full list of our Event Sponsors, Institutional Partners and Media Partners and click on the logo to visit their web site. 

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