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Roundup: Kigali Forum to focus on connecting Africa's global digital role

Xinhua, May 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

The role of Africa in a global economy will be the focus of next week's 26th World Economic Forum on Africa, in Kigali, Rwanda from May 11 to 13.

Organizers of the forum said on Friday that over 1,200 public figures will attend the event, including the heads of state and government of Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Senegal and Togo.

Others outside the African region are ministers and senior officials from the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden and the United States, and representatives from major international organizations such as the International Trade Centre (ITC), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

This year's event will be convened under the theme: Connecting Africa's Resources through Digital Transformation.

"The Fourth Industrial Revolution presents a unique opportunity to build stronger, fairer, more prosperous societies, but this can only be achieved through strong institutions, greater regional integration and investment in key areas such as infrastructure, education and industries," Elsie Kanza, head of Africa and Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum said in a statement.

"There is vast scope for public-private cooperation to help realize these goals," said Kanza.

The discussion in Kigali will be a follow-up on the Forum's January Meeting in Davos-Klosters which was held under theme: Mastering the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

It seeks to identify priorities and actions for Africa's leaders as they look to build economies resilient to today's challenges and able to flourish in the increasingly digital, convergent marketplaces of tomorrow.

Rwanda's minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Claver Gatete said an entrepreneurial, knowledge-intensive economy is the foundation for inclusive growth in Rwanda and beyond.

"The World Economic Forum on Africa allows us to take this conversation further and identify opportunities for public-private partnership that will generate more jobs and higher living standards in Africa as a whole," he said. Enditem