Fourth annual conference closes with insightful presentations on technology and innovation and highlights key mergers and acquisitions on the continent

Conference closed with 'Hard Talk' session hosted by emerge85, Mishaal Al Gergawi, covering macro-investment and policy matters on the continent

Over 400 high-level business leaders, investors and governmental representatives attended the two-day conference

Africa’s technology innovation was highlighted as crucial to driving economic growth during the final day of the fourth ALN Annual International Conference held on 4 and 5 October 2017 in Dubai.

The opening session, “Africa's Innovation Story”, explored the rise in technology innovations across the African continent and how it has brought more generators rather than adoptors. Fewer regulations and restrictions combined with less competition make Africa an ideal environment for experimentation. These conditions present an opportunity for Gulf Investors to become part of the African digital renaissance as innovation hubs and incubators have become a mainstay in the technology ecosystem. Kenya was highlighted as a key market in the region with over 150 startups launched out of Kenya’s iHub.

During the session, panel moderator, Dominic  Rebelo, Partner at Anjarwalla and Khanna, said, “With a growing middle class, high mobile penetration and tremendous amounts of data being generated, Africa presents great opportunities for growth and business, particularly in the technology sphere.”  

Renowned Emirati commentator, columnist, analyst and Co-director of emerge85, Mishaal Al Gergawi, closed the conference with a ‘Hard Talk’ panel and unpacked the narrative of ‘Africa rising’. Al Gergawi’s emerge85 lab discussed how, in a world where 85% of the population lives in Asia, Africa and Latin America, the centres of gravity in these emerging markets are reshaping the global landscape. The session discussed whether Africa's true potential lies in its ability to foster deeper ties to the ‘85 world’ and how the Middle East can play a part in this shift.

Commenting on the success of the conference, Atiq S. Anjarwalla, Managing Partner at Anjarwalla Collins & Haidermota, said, “Over the past two days, we have delved into the African investment landscape, dissected specific sector challenges and debated the the appropriate actions which should be taken to witness true progress across the continent.”

He added, “Taking on board feedback from delegates attending last year’s conference, this year we focused on creating additional time for networking and developing sessions which took a deep-dive into specific countries and the challenges and opportunites unique to them.”

“It is with great pleasure that we close another successful conference, by bringing together two continents and paving the way for fruitful partnerships and beneficial relationships,” he concluded.

This year’s conference sponsors included Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB); Access Bank UK; Emirates NBD Private Banking; Control Risks, DBS Group, Axis, Taurus Wealth Advisors, Mimecast, EFG Hermes and Silversoft. Media partners include IsFin, CPI Media Group, The Business Year and Financial Times. This year’s conference partners are emerge85 and Oxford Business Group.

-Ends-

Today’s panel discussions included:

  • Africa's Innovation Story - From Technology Adopters to Generators

  • Opportunities and Challenges in Africa M&A - Exploring the Latest Trends

  • Accessing Investment Capital in Africa: Carving a Path in Diverging Markets

  • Family Owned Businesses: Key Developments and Challenges for Governance and Succession

  • Spotlight Session: West Africa in the Spotlight - Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea

  • Panel: Hard Talk with Mishaal Al Gergawi

Media information contact:
Shruti Saxena 
Senior Account Manager, Grayling Dubai
T +971 4 390 1630 | M + 971 (0) 52 4988 687
E shruti.saxena@grayling.com   
W www.grayling.com

About ALN
ALN is an independent alliance of leading law firms in Africa. It is the largest and most integrated grouping of its kind in Africa, with close working relationships across its members and an established network of “Best Friends” across the continent.

Each ALN member firm is a recognised leader on the continent with a strong track record in advising domestic, regional and international clients on commercial and legal issues. ALN members offer a deep understanding of the sectors and industries in which clients operate as well as the risks and opportunities of doing business in Africa’s rapidly changing markets.

For more information on ALN, visit: www.africalegalnetwork.com

© Press Release 2017