The 2013 Africa Summit discussed the path Africa has taken to achieve rapid growth and what plans need to be implemented to see further progress in the continent
The event, which was sponsored by The Economist, welcomed 180 delegates at the Royal Garden Hotel in London.
Attendees included leaders in business, banking and government, while members of the media and consultancies for the Africa Summit were also present.
The key area of focus at the event was exploring ways that would ensure sustainable growth across different industry sectors in the continent.
Mo Ibrahim, chairman of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said that sustainable sources of energy would be required to achieve any set long-term goals, noting that Africa also needed economic integration.
Ibrahim commented, “Trade between African nations will ensure vibrant economies across the continent, and only then will we be able to talk about ‘Africa’ as a whole.
“Aid is the aspirin that helps ease the pain in some African countries. It adds up to US$30bn per year. Trade is the health-giving vitamin that makes the continent strong and accounts for half a trillion dollars per year.
"An increase in trade between African Nations can only be achieved if governments become more transparent, and this should be every leader’s highest priority,” Ibrahim added.
Other speakers at the event included Liberian President, Johnson Sirleaf; ex-president of the World Bank for the Africa region, Obiageli Ezekwesili; president of Diageo, Nick Blazquez; and founder and chairman of Econet Wireless, Strive Masiyiwa.
