KIPPRA participated the African Economic Conference 2023 from 16th– 18th November, 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The theme of the conference was “The Imperative for Sustainable Industrial Development in Africa”. The event provided an opportunity for participants to review the experience of industrialization on the continent and to identify the challenges faced, lessons learned, opportunities and strategies for leveraging industrialization to realize its full potential in ensuring the economic security and sustainable development of Africa. H.E Ms Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, officially opened the conference.
KIPPRA Ag. Deputy Director, Private Sector Development Department, Dr Moses Njenga participated in a panel discussion on getting the energy puzzle resolved for Africa’s Industrialization. He presented on energizing private investment in Africa’s sustainable energy sector, especially considering the current low levels of private financing; strategies SMEs can employ to leverage on abundant natural resources sustainably; and on new sources of financing to explore for Africa’s green transition given the significant gap between the current financial flows and what is needed.
The African Economic Conference was jointly organized by the African Development Bank, the Economic Commission for Africa and the United Nations Development Programme and brought together various stakeholders, including policymakers, industrialization experts, private sector representatives, researchers and young people.