Business leaders reflect on growth trends and new markets at leading pan-African trade gathering

Key drivers for growth and new economic ‘hotspots’ formed the basis for discussions at Africa Trade Finance Week 2014, the leading pan-African trade gathering, which took place in Cape Town on March 17-19.

Building on the success of previous gatherings and with over 300 delegates in attendance from across the continent, 2014’s event provided further light on the many thriving newer markets attracting interest from the international trade and export community, including countries such as Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Zambia.

With the central part of the event taking place on March 18-19 at The Westin Cape Town, proceedings commenced with an opening keynote address by Goolam Ballim, Chief Economist and Global Head of Research for the Standard Bank Group, who provided a comprehensive prognosis on Africa’s current economic and geopolitical health and outlook.

“With its vast natural resources and increasingly significant geopolitical influence, Africa continues to be an incredibly strong area of interest for the global business community, with untapped potential across south, east and west,” said Jeff Ando, Head of Conference Production at GTR Events. “This potential is best highlighted by the growth of events such as this, which would previously have enjoyed a primarily South African flavour but which now places huge emphasis across the continent as a whole, reflected in the diversity of speakers, subjects and attendees alike.”

Infrastructure issues also featured as key areas for discussion, including logistical concerns when moving goods from one place to another, availability and supply of power, as well as the wider need for greater industrialisation in the manufacturing and processing of raw commodities into finished consumer products. Banking relationships, insurance and risk mitigation, technology innovation, legal requirements and opportunities provided by emerging markets were also on the agenda, with on the ground insight from leading companies such as ABB, Capespan, Cottco, Elephant Group, Export Trading Group, Grindrod, Nokia Solutions Networks, Olam, Oando and Platinum Corporation, to name just a few.

The event also included the GTR Supply Chain Workshop on March 17, an interactive workshop that bridges the physical and financial supply chains, providing detailed insight for participating banks and corporates alike.

The Association of Corporate Treasurers South Africa hosted a Breakfast Briefing on the morning of the final day, which addressed the leading concerns faced by treasurers and corporate financiers across Africa, providing the opportunity to share ideas and consider new approaches.