The Africa Finance Corporation, a private development company based in Nigeria, says it will invest up to $140 million in a public-private economic zone created in Gabon by the government in partnership with Olam International, an agricultural business. The investment will fund several major infrastructure projects that potentially will increase Gabon’s export production, including its crude oil shipments.
The investment is earmarked for development in the Gabon Special Economic Zone of a new mineral terminal, a new general logistics terminal, and other unspecified projects. The partnership behind the zone also operates two other economic zones in the country, both in early development.
Like many countries in Africa, infrastructure weakness has kept Gabon from optimizing its export potential. Andrew Alli, the AFC’s chief executive, said: “Gabon has the benefit of an abundance of land as well as enviable natural resources, with long-established oil, timber and mining industries, and some of the world’s largest deposits of manganese and iron ore. There is huge potential for sustainable growth if the adequate supporting infrastructure is in place.”
In 2013, Gabon exported $8.8 billion and imported $3.8 billion, producing a trade surplus of $5 billion, according to the Atlas project of MIT. It exports over $6 billion a year in crude petroleum; other major exports include manganese ore, shipping vessels, and timber products. Its major imports are specialty ships, excavation machinery, refined petroleum and automobiles.
Last year, Gabon became the tenth member of the AFC, a shareholder organization whose members bestow preferred creditor status to the company which AFC says makes investment more viable. To date, the AFC has invested $3.2 billion in projects located mostly in West Africa in such sectors as power, telecommunications, transport and logistics, natural resources and heavy industries. AFC shareholders include sovereign African governments, African banks, private equity funds and other corporate investors.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
