By Daniel Sahlu

Date: 25-11-2019

Heads of state, ministers, policymakers, prominent business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs from Africa are descending on Dubai for the Global Business Forum, GBF, Africa 2019, which officially kicked off on Monday, November 18th

Held under the theme "Scale-Up Africa", the fifth edition of the two-day forum was organized by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dubai Chamber, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

GBF Africa 2019 is the largest event of its kind in the region, focusing on Africa’s vast economic potential and exploring new avenues of cooperation between UAE businesses and their African counterparts.

Among the high-level attendees at GBF Africa 2019 were: George Weah, President of Liberia; Danny Faure, President of Seychelles; Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe; Carlos Agostinho do Rosario, Prime Minister of Mozambique; Ruhakana Ruganda, Prime Minister of Uganda; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Director-General, Expo 2020 Dubai; Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber; Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber; and Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, President of Dubai Business Women Council, among other prominent speakers.

Commenting on the forum, Hamad Buamim said, "We have high expectations for the fifth edition of GBF Africa and look forward to engaging with our African partners and discussing new ways to strengthen and expand UAE-Africa economic ties in the future."

The high-level forum comes at a time when Dubai is stepping up efforts to forge global partnerships and attract businesses and investors from around the world, he added.

This year, the forum puts the spotlight on promising startups that are driving business growth in Africa and examines the important role of cross-border cooperation in supporting the continent’s economic growth and development. Another highlight is the GBF Mentorship Programme as GBF Africa 2019 provides an opportunity for the startup finalists from the UAE and Africa will have an opportunity to showcase their businesses and connect with potential investors and business partners at the forum.

Standard Bank, the largest bank in Africa, and Invest Africa were supporting the forthcoming forum as event partners.

About Dubai Chamber:

Established in 1965, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a non-profit public entity, whose mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favourable business environment, supporting the development of business, and by promoting Dubai as an international business hub.