The Africa Investment Leaders Forum and Awards (AILFA) has called on stakeholders, investors and visionaries to collaborate for its inaugural awards in June next year to bring together local, continental and global investors.
AILFA is a locally-based regional organisation that was set up to create a platform where visionary investors, trailblazing entrepreneurs, and industry leaders can come together to explore new frontiers and unlock the potential of African markets.
Addressing the media at a Press conference on Monday, AILFA chief executive officer Kudzai Mukuku said the engagement would allow various players to exchange thoughts hence contributing to the world of investment.
The event runs from June 26 to 28.
“The Africa Investment Leaders Forum and Awards will serve as a three-day platform, bringing together investors, influential leaders, CEOs, industry experts, policymakers, government officials and other key stakeholders from across the African continent and worldwide,” Mukuku said.
He said the event aimed to foster collaboration, facilitate knowledge sharing, insights, and honour exemplary contributions to the field of investment.
“During these three days, participants will have the opportunity to engage in various sub-forums that cover a wide range of topics relevant to investment in Africa. These discussions will be enriched by the diverse range of speakers from around the world, bringing with them their invaluable experiences and insights,” Mukuku said.
“This forum will be a melting pot of ideas, aiming to establish Africa as a leading investment destination. In addition to the intellectual exchange, the Africa Investment Leaders Forum and Awards will also feature an exhibition throughout the event. This exhibition will provide a platform for organisations, businesses and entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations, projects and investment opportunities.”
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He added that it would be an opportunity for networking and exploring potential partnerships with investors.
The event will be held at a time when investment in Zimbabwe has been declining owing to challenges such as policy inconsistency, increased political risk, exchange rate volatility, and fear around property rights.
Resultantly, foreign direct investment has been volatile with the country having received US$745 million in 2018, US$280 million (2019), US$194 million (2020), US$250 million (2021) and US$342 million (2022).
AILFA group events director Rumbidzai Takawira said the awards ceremony aimed to recognise investors who excelled in various sectors, with each category boasting the prestigious award title and Investor of the Year.
“The categories include oil and gas; mining industries, agriculture, media and entertainment, real estate and construction, angel investors, manufacturing, technology, multi-sectors, finance, tourism and hospitality, transport industry, healthcare, diaspora Investor of the Year, friends of Africa, and social responsibility,” she said.
“We shall also be awarding governments with the best investor friendly policies. During the awards we shall also realise 50 young african investors below the age of 40 so that we also recognise up-and- coming serial investors.”
As a build-up to the main event, the forum will be hosting stakeholder briefs in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria and Morocco.
