N.E.S.H. FOUNDATION @ 31ST AFREXIM BANK ANNUAL MEETINGS (AAM) & 3RD AFRICARIBBEAN TRADE & INVESTMENT FORUM (ACTIF)



About 3,000 participants mostly from Africa and the Caribbean gathered at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts & Entertainment Center in the beautiful island of Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, from June 12-15,2024, for the 31st Afreximbank Annual Meetings(AAM) and 3rd AfriCaribbean Trade & Investment Forum(ACTIF), themed, “Owning our Destiny:Economic Prosperity on the Platform of Global Africa “.
It was a packed 3 days of seminars, Side Events, Networking, Signing of Business Agreements, Launches, and Entertainment. Seminar Themes: Day 1 – “Economic Transformation for Global Africa in a Polycrisis World”, Day 2 – “Owning our Destiny: Economic Prosperity on The Platform of Global Africa “, Day 3 – “The Foundations of Economic Prosperity: Youth, Innovation and Creatives.N.E.S.H. Foundation main objective in The Bahamas was the Public Presentation of the publication, “N.E.S.H. Gallery 2024”, themed, “Intra-African Trade: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, in preparation for the takeoff of the Young African Caribbean Entrepreneurs Network (YACEN) being promoted by the Foundation. Copies of the publication were personally presented by the Founder, N.E.S.H. Foundation to: H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and Chairperson of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean(CARICOM); H. E., Hon Philip Davis,K.C., Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; H. E., Hon Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; H.E. Chan Santokhi, President of Suriname; H. E. Prof Benedict Oramah,CON, President and Chairman of the Board of Afreximbank; H. E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General, African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA) Secretariat; Wyclef Jean,a three-time Grammy Award winner, and many other dignitaries in attendance.
In addition,N. E.S.H. Foundation canvassed for joint ventures between Nigerian and Caribbean Entrepreneurs, on behalf of some Nigerian Entrepreneurs, and in particular, two Smart City projects powered by Green Hydrogen Energy, to be sited in Guyana and Nigeria.Nigeria was well represented at The Bahamas.
Some notable personalities in attendance were: H.E. Babajide Sanwaolu, Governor of Lagos State; H. E. Diriye Douye, Governor of Bayelsa State; Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chairman, Senate Committee on NDDC; Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister for Industry,Trade and Investment; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Founder & CEO, Dangote Group; Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman, Access Holdings Plc; Mr. Wale Tinubu, Co-Founder & CEO, Oando Plc; Mr. Tunde Folawiyo, CEO, Yinka Folawiyo Group; Engr Emeka Ene, Founder, Oildata Group & Promoter, Enpower Free Trade Zone, Enugu.
Others were (Mrs) Aisha Achimugu, Founder & CEO, Felak Concept Group; Sen Athan Achonu, Founder & CEO, Mathan Nig Ltd; Mr. Samaila Zubairu, President/CEO, Africa Finance Corporation(AFC); Dr. Olasupo Olusi, MD/CEO, Bank of Industry (BOI); Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, MD/CEO, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi, Chairman, Fidelity Bank Plc; Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc; Mr. Chris Oshiafi, MD/CEO, PAC Holdings; Dr. Chris Edordu, Founding President of Afreximbank; Mr. Val Ozigbo, former CEO, Transcorp Plc; Mr. Timi Alaibe, Chairman, Zomay Group Ltd.; Mr. Arnold Ekpe, Chairman, Business Council for Africa; Mr. Anthony Okpanachi, MD/CEO, Development Bank of Nigeria(DBN).
Two Side Meetings involving Nigerian Entrepreneurs noted by N.E.S.H.Foundation were: Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Founder, Dangote Group meeting with H. E., Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; and Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede meeting with H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali,and H. E., Hon Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.
The AAM2024 and ACTIF2024 was a huge success. The Launch of the Africa Trade and Distribution Company which is supported by $1 billion from Afreximbank at the AAM2024 marks a significant milestone in the drive towards increased Intra-African Trade. However, there was an important piece of advice from Mr. Arnold Ekpe, Chairman, Business Council for Africa to all the believers in the actualization of Global Africa – let’s focus on how we can talk less and do do more. On a final note, H.E.Hon Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, and the country that hosted the inaugural AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum in her remarks paid glowing tributes to Prof Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board, Afreximbank for his visionary leadership in bringing together leaders of the public and private sector in Africa and Caribbean to discuss and take action under the concept of a Global Africa and for setting up an Afreximbank office in the Caribbean , which was affirmed with a standing ovation by all the participants.
N.E.S.H. Foundation congratulates the management and organizing team of Afreximbank for a successful AAM2024 and ACTIF2024, and look forward to the upcoming CANEX 2024 in Algiers, Algeria.