Africa Business Conference 2004

On Saturday, February 28, 2004, the Africa Business Club at Harvard Business School (HBS) will host its sixth annual Africa Business Conference and this year’s theme is entitled, “The Way Home: Cultivating Opportunities in Africa.”

According to the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Africa has lost more than a third of its professionals to developed countries and over 50,000 members of the middle to high-level management leave the continent annually. Meanwhile, sub-Saharan Africa spends over US$4 billion yearly on technical assistance, including the cost of hiring 100,000 foreign experts.Brain drain is a major impediment to African development as it depletes many countries of the human resources necessary to build the institutions and infrastructure that support strong economies.

Gold Sponsors

United Bank for Africa
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) is one of three biggest and most liquid banks in Nigeria. The Bank has 221 branches and cash offices in Nigeria’s major commercial centers, state capitals and Federal Capital Territory with two offshore branches in New York and Grand Cayman Island. UBA Plc retains the unique status of being the only Nigerian bank with a presence in the United States of America. See Home Page

The Africa Business Club
at The Harvard Business School

The challenge that Africa faces now is how to reverse the brain drain problem such that more young professionals return to the continent to facilitate sustainable development. It is with this challenge that the Africa Business Club at Harvard Business School concerns itself.The Africa Business Conference will showcase success stories of young professionals who have returned to the continent either to develop their own businesses or to continue their careers within large established local and multinational corporations, multilateral institutions and government agencies.

Distinguished keynote speakers include Sam Jonah, CEO of Ashanti Goldfields, Maria Ramos, CEO of Transnet and Alex Cummings, CEO of Coca Cola Africa. Our panelists who are business leaders in Africa will facilitate discussion on the many opportunities and vehicles available, either locally or remotely, for young professionals (African or otherwise) to enhance Africa’s development while building successful careers.

The conference kicks off on Friday, February 27 with a concert. Panel discussions on Saturday will include Titans: African CEOs speak and Youngs Africans: Living and Working in Africa. On Saturday evening, there will be a formal banquet featuring authentic African cuisine with our keynote speaker delivering a closing address to conference participants. The day ends with a party at the Doubletree Hotel.