Afreximbank urges Diasporans to fully engage with Africa, IATF 2021

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has urged Diasporas to engage fully with Africa and the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021).

This was disclosed by the organisers of the IATF202 at a virtual roadshow event in partnership with the Africa Center for the African diaspora under the theme, “Building Bridges between Africa and the Diaspora to realize opportunities under African Continental Free Trade Area”.

According to the organizer, Afreximbank in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat explained that the objective of the event was to raise awareness of how the Diaspora can connect to markets businesses across the continent through the IATF 2021, which will take place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, from 15 to 21 November 2021.

In her Keynote speech, Managing Director, Intra-African Trade Initiative, Afreximbank, Mrs Kanayo Awani said, “long-held view is that a diaspora programme must be a two-way street, not so much about what they can do for us but equally importantly, what we can do for them.

“While the African Diaspora has grown and become a significant source of development finance and skilled human capital, we must, nonetheless, create systems and build institutions that connect sustainably the Diaspora to the continent of Africa; IATF 2021 offers one such platform.”

Ms Hlengiwe Mavimbela, Member of Executive Council for Arts & Culture: KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa stated: “IATF is one of the key events to boosting trade in Africa. This conference will create a platform for professionals across the continent to come under one roof, deliberate and propose solutions on issues affecting Africa. As a country, we still face difficult challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment, especially for youth.

“It is encouraging to see that the trade fair will also create a youth start-up programme, which will have a dedicated pavilion targeting youth to showcase goods and services. This will also assist in providing entrepreneurship training and opportunities while creating network opportunities.”

The IATF2021’s Diaspora Virtual Event featured a vibrant panel discussion under the theme: ‘Building Bridges between Africa and the Diaspora to realize opportunities under African Continental Free Trade Area’ with the participation of Einstein Ntim, Chairman, Global Startup Ecosystem; Temi Adeniji, MD, Warner Music South Africa; Dr Gainmore Zanamwe, Head of Trade Facilitation Unit, Intra-African Trade Initiative, Afreximbank; Angela Naa Afoley Odai, Interim Head of the Diaspora Division and Diaspora Policy Officer – Europe at the Directorate of Citizens and Diaspora Organisations (CIDO) African Union Commission.

Others are Busie Matsiko-Andan Global Strategist, Pont Global and Executive Director, Africa Future Summit; Youssouf Simbo Diakite, Co-chairperson of African Diaspora Youth Forum in Europe; and Monde Twala, Senior VP of Viacom CBS/ BET International. Attendees also enjoyed a poetry rendition by the Somali-American poet, Ladan Osman, and a musical performance by six-time Grammy Nominee, Vincent Berry.