Final arrangements are in place for the groundbreaking Africa Summit to be hosted in the European Parliament on Wednesday by the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR).

The event aims to build on the success of the inaugural summit last year and is set to become an annual high-level forum for planning and enhancing closer co-operation, knowledge-sharing and commercial collaboration between Europe and Africa.

The finalised list of speakers and experts brings together a wealth of global knowledge and experience in trade, investment, business, politics, social affairs and government.

European Parliament President David Sassoli, along with the ECR’s co-chairmen Ryszard Legutko and Raffaele Fitto, will open the event. Keynote addresses will be given by the President of the Republic of Ghana Nana Akufo Addo and

businessman Moïse Katumbi, former Governor of Katanga Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Other speakers will include Rwanda’s Minister for Trade and Industry Soraya M Hakuziyaremye; Sandra Ajaja, founder of the Fempower social enterprise which expands business opportunities for women in Nigeria and across Africa; and former UK International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell.

A series of expert panels will explore Governance for Growth, Stability and Inclusive Development; Women: Political Representation and Successful Development in Africa; Foreign Direct Investment in Africa; and A Digital Economy in Africa.

Professor Legutko said:

“Last year’s summit was a tremendous success - but rather that rest on our laurels we decided to go ahead with something even bigger and farther-reaching.

“We are getting to grips with key areas that can fundamentally transform Africa’s economy and the long-term relations between our two continents.”

Mr Fitto said:

“No other political group is looking beyond Europe’s boundaries in the way the ECR is. We believe a new, open and trustworthy understanding between us will not only benefit the economy and prosperity of both continents.

“It can also herald a new era of co-operation over crucial issues such as border-control, immigration, security, anti-terrorism. These are things worth striving for and that is why we intend to continue this level of engagement through annual summits.”

For more information including the draft agenda and a full list of speakers, or to register for the summit, go HERE.