1. New Realities – New Connections
October 1st-2nd 2014, Atlantis The Palm Hotel
Wednesday, 1st October - Day One
09.30 Welcome Address
HE Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry
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10.00 The New Narrative – The Inside Story of the Rise of Africa and Dubai
In conversation with world-leading entrepreneurs, this session will draw out the story of
the rapid change and global integration of Africa and Dubai, providing tangible insights
into opportunities, challenges and synergies.
Confirmed Speakers:
Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Dangote Group
HE Mohammed I Al Shaibani, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Investment
Corporation of Dubai
Moderator: Zeinab Badawi, British Journalist and Chair, Royal African Society
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10.45 Beyond the Gate – Making Infrastructure Work for Business
If there is one obstacle to sustainable growth and rising prosperity across much of Sub-
Saharan Africa, it is the lack of physical infrastructure. HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem,
Chairman of DP World, discusses what is needed to build sustainable businesses around
infrastructure.
Confirmed Speaker:
HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World
Moderator: John Defterios, Emerging-Markets Editor and Anchor, CNN
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11.15 Networking Break

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12.00 Africa Rising – Leading the Continent towards Change
Recent developments across Africa have inspired hope that the continent will host the
emerging markets of the 21st century. But there are still concerns that a good number
of African countries, held back by fluctuating economies, climate change and rapid
population growth, will remain behind in the struggle to find a sustainable place in the
global economy. Our panel of heads of state from across sub-Saharan Africa will discuss
what they see as the greatest reasons for hope in their countries’ future and share the
challenges they are aiming to tackle.
Confirmed Speakers:
HE Dr Mulatu Teshome Wirtu, President, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
HE John Dramani Mahama, President, Republic of Ghana
HE Paul Kagame, President, Republic of Rwanda
Moderator: Becky Anderson, Anchor, CNN International
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12.45 Overcoming Fragmentation – Making Pan-Regional Business a Reality
Trade flows between African countries are growing – but progress is slow and the
continent lags far behind the European Union or ASEAN in intra-regional trade therefore
holding back business. Trade zones such as COMESA, SADC and EAC are trying to remove
barriers, while simultaneously merging into one large African free-trade zone. But while
the rhetoric sounds good, the reality for cross-border business is often difficult. This
session will discuss progress, plans and realities on the ground.
Confirmed Speakers:
HE Mohamed Gharib Bilal, Vice President, United Republic of Tanzania
Ambassador Dr Richard Sezibera, Secretary General, East African Community
Hon Hanna Tetteh, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Republic of
Ghana
Moderator: Mark Eddo, International Journalist and Managing Director, Mark Eddo
Media
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13.30 Networking Lunch
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15.00 Evolving Investor Perceptions – Blackstone in Africa
Blackstone is known worldwide for its M&A activities, but in Africa the company is
forging a new path, investing millions directly into power projects such as the Bujagali
dam in Uganda which came on stream last year. This year, it announced a $5bn
investment in energy projects, in partnership with Dangote Industries Stephen
Schwarzman, Chairman and Chief Executive of Blackstone Group, will discuss his
strategy and his expectations.
Confirmed Speaker:
Stephen Schwarzman, Chairman, Chief Executive and Co-founder, Blackstone Group
Moderator: Zeinab Badawi, British Journalist and Chair, Royal African Society
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15.30 The African Consumer – Understanding the Next Billion
There is a lot of talk about opportunities at the bottom of the pyramid in African
markets, but many companies are struggling to find viable business models. A panel of
African, Gulf and international investors will discuss how they are approaching the wide
diversity of consumers across African markets and their strategies for how best to gain
access to the next billion consumers.

3. Confirmed Speakers:
Ann Cairns, President, International Markets, MasterCard
Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Chairman, Econet Wireless
Charles Robertson, Global Chief Economist, Head of Macro-Strategy, Renaissance
Capital
Moderator: Zemedeneh Negatu, Managing Partner Ethiopia and Head of Transaction
Advisory Services, Ernst & Young
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16.30 Networking Break
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16.45 Disrupting Africa? Building Entrepreneurial Businesses
When Tony Fernandes founded the AirAsia Group he showed the power of
entrepreneurship to transform business – disrupting the airline industry at home and
globally, while shrinking the Asian continent. In this session, he will draw lessons from
his experience to explore how entrepreneurship can be encouraged in Africa and will
look at how he sees the continent as an investor.
Confirmed Speaker:
Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia Group
Moderator: Mark Eddo, International Journalist and Managing Director, Mark Eddo
Media
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17.15 Innovation and Leadership – the New Philanthropists
Traditional aid has come under fire in many African countries, as critics question its
efficacy and impact. But a new generation of African and international philanthropists is
emerging, focused on creating the foundations for future growth, be it in leadership or
scientific innovation.
Confirmed Speakers:
Cheick Modibo Diarra, Chairman, ALN and Former Transitional Prime Minister, Republic
of Mali
Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Executive Chairperson, Higher Life Foundation
James Mwangi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Equity Bank Group
Moderator: Zemedeneh Negatu, Managing Partner Ethiopia and Head of Transaction
Advisory Services, Ernst & Young
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18.00 End of Day One
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19.00 Networking Reception
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20.00 Gala Dinner
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4. Thursday, October 2nd – Day Two
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09.00 Capturing the Potential of African Tourism – Colony Capital
Colony Capital is one of the world’s most astute real estate investors and the owner of
Fairmont Hotels, which runs several luxury hotels in Africa. Tom Barrack, Founder and
Chief Executive Officer of Colony Capital, outlines his views of the potential for Africa’s
tourism industry and shares his company’s plans for future investment.
Confirmed Speaker:
Tom Barrack, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Colony Capital
Moderator: Mark Eddo, International Journalist and Managing Director, Mark Eddo
Media
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09.30 Africa’s New Multinationals – Who, What and Where Next?
A new generation of companies is emerging across Africa, led by tech-savvy
entrepreneurs, with world-class educations and pan-African aspirations. This session will
discuss the potential of Africa’s emerging private sector with some of Africa’s leading
entrepreneurs and ask when we will see the first Fortune-500 company from the new
Africa.
Confirmed Speakers:
Mohammed Dewji, Group Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania
Vimal Shah, Chief Executive Officer, Bidco Group
Igho Sanomi, Chief Executive Officer, Taleveras Group
Moderator: Tim Sebastian, The New Arab Debates
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10.30 Networking Break
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10.50 Connectivity and Trade – Supporting Dubai as the Hub to Africa
Emirates Airline has played a pivotal role in transforming Dubai into a hub. Now the
airline has developed one of the largest route networks across Africa. Sir Tim Clark,
President, Emirates Airline Group will explore the potential for Dubai to position itself as
a hub for African trade.
Confirmed Speaker:
Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline
Moderator: John Defterios, Emerging-Markets Editor and Anchor, CNN
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11.20 Africa’s Hub – Leveraging the Dubai Ecosystem
A growing number of international and African companies have opened operations in
Dubai to simplify coordination, improve financing opportunities and gain easier access to
international markets. Dozens of global firms also drive their African strategy from their
headquarters in Dubai. This session will discuss with the panel how they are taking
advantage of the Dubai ecosystem and what the Emirate could do to position itself as
the natural hub for African business.
Confirmed Speakers:
Roland Agambire, Group Chairman and Group Chief Executive, AGAMS Holdings
Goolam Ballim, Chief Economist and Head, Standard Bank Research, Standard Bank Group
Anand Kapoor, Founder and Vice-chairman, MiDCOM Group

5. Ashish Thakkar, Founder and Chief Executive, Mara Group and Mara Foundation
Moderator: Tim Sebastian, The New Arab Debates
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12.30 Networking Lunch
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14.00 Dubai Expo 2020 – Connecting Africa
With the theme, Connecting Minds, Creating the Future and a promise to provide
assistance so that all countries can participate with a pavilion, the Dubai Expo 2020
could be an interesting platform for African nations to present themselves to the world.
HE Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director, Dubai Expo 2020
will explore how African countries might benefit from participation in the Dubai Expo.
Confirmed Speaker:
HE Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State and Managing Director, Dubai Expo 2020, United
Arab Emirates
Moderator: Becky Anderson, Anchor, CNN International
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14.30 Olympic Potential – The Economic Impact of Big Sporting Events
When South Africa held the World Cup in 2010 it helped to change international
perspectives of Africa and instilled a sense of pride across the continent. But was it
worth the high costs? Juan Antonio Samaranch outlines the economic impact of recent
Olympic Games and looks at when an African nation might host the world’s biggest
sporting event.
Confirmed Speaker:
Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, Member of the Executive Board
International Olympic Committee
Moderator: Mark Eddo, International Journalist and Managing Director, Mark Eddo
Media
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14.50 Smart Solutions – The Future of African Growth
Strong demand for natural resources and rapid urbanisation are transforming Africa’s
economies. Cities are drawing in hundreds of thousands of people, opening up huge
new opportunities for positive change, but also creating major risks. At the same time,
foreign investment is pouring into African oil, minerals and food commodities, driving
growth but bringing tensions. As a major investor in both African smart cities and
mineral reserves, Mohamed Alabbar will discuss his perspective on driving and shaping
positive growth in Africa.
Confirmed Speaker:
Mohamed Alabbar, Board Member, Eagle Hills
Moderator: Eithne Treanor, Managing Director, E Treanor Media
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15.20 Redrawing the World Map – Africa and the Global Economy
Wrapping up the Africa Global Business Forum, Pratibha Thaker, Director of Middle East
and Africa at the Economist Intelligence Unit, will explore the future of trade and
investment linkages between African markets and the rest of the world, outlining the
hubs and networks that will shape the global economy over the next few decades.
Confirmed Speaker:
Pratibha Thaker, Regional Director, Middle East and Africa, Economist Intelligence Unit

6. Moderator: Eithne Treanor, Managing Director, E Treanor Media
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15.40 Closing Ceremony