Amid geopolitical tensions and the long-term impacts of the pandemic, accelerating growth in a more sustainable and inclusive way has become an imperative for both Europe and Africa. As highlighted during the 6th European Union-African Union Summit, held in Brussels in February 2022, the time has come for the two continents to adopt a joint vision towards 2030, based on a fair and mutually beneficial economic, trade and political partnership: in order to meet the major challenges of the future, the only way forward is to strengthen the Euro-African dialogue, building high-level relations between key decision-makers in both realities.
The 9th edition of the Southern Africa Europe CEO Dialogue took place in Johannesburg on November 10-11, 2022. The event is a unique platform capable of promoting this dialogue and supporting the long-term growth of strategic trade and economic relations between Europe and Southern Africa.
Among the key topics of discussion:
- The African Geopolitical, Business and Investment Outlook
- CEO views on African business
- Africa's rebirth the power of the creative economy
- The future of African cities: urban regeneration, SMEs and sustainability
- Green and Circular Economy: future perspectives for business
During the event, we presented a Position Paper prepared in collaboration with ITA - Italian Trade Agency, entitled "Green Transition in Africa".
9th Southern Africa Europe CEO Dialogue
Southern Africa – Europe 2022 CEO Dialogue: CEO’s Views on African Business - CNBC Africa, November 11, 2022
The Summit in brief
The initiative was established in 2014 by The European House - Ambrosetti, on the basis of the Italy-South Africa bilateral summit. Its purpose is bringing together top-level business and institutional leaders from both continents to share ideas, build new and strong partnerships, and learn about the enormous economic and political opportunities that exist within Euro-African relations today, with a special focus on SADC. The Summit aims to provide concrete approaches that have a direct impact for business, regarding the EU’s growing attention and commitment towards Sub-Saharan Africa.
In this context, Italy has a leading role in the development of cooperation not only with South Africa, but also with neighboring countries such as Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Thanks to a Think Tank of international experts and authoritative advisors, the Summit addresses issues of primary importance for Europe and Southern Africa, taking into account the geopolitical, economic, and social trends that will influence the future of the two continents. Areas of interest include manufacturing, automotive, transport and infrastructure, energy and renewables, education and research, tourism, health and pharmaceutical products, finance and agro-industry.
Why the Summit?
Uniqueness: the CEO Dialogue provides a unique regional and inter-continental perspective, involving business and government leaders from all over SADC
Networking opportunities: participants have the exclusive opportunity to get in touch with prominent European and African CEOs, Ministers and Institutions
Cooperation: the Summit is the only platform for European and Southern African players to create business opportunities, share ideas and start together a new growth path
Innovative and updated contents: the Summit’s plenary sessions focus on issues of primary importance for Southern Africa and Europe cooperation
Trust: dialogue, knowledge and personal feeling are the preconditions for a shared growth and are the basis of the exclusive community of leaders from all around the world that join the Summit
Press corner
“The South Africa-Italy Summit has become the main event for the Italian and South African entrepreneurial leadership to strengthen bilateral economic relations. Building upon this bilateral framework, the Summit has evolved into a pan-European and pan-African platform to create strategic business partnerships at the highest level” (source: CNBC Africa)
Multimedia content
- CNBC Africa - Highlights from the 2018 Summit
- CNBC Africa - Southern Africa – Europe 2022 CEO Dialogue: CEO’s Views on African Business
- Radio Power FM - Interview to Valerio De Molli
- Why the Southern Africa Europe CEO Dialogue? - by Absa
- How is Absa positioned to best serve African and European clients and investors looking for new opportunities in the African continent? - by Absa
- What is Absa’s expecting to achieve at the 8th edition of the SA Europe CEO Dialogue? - by Absa
Press review
- Africa 24 - Sud Africa: si è svolto il Southern Africa Europe CEO Dialogue
- Africa Executive - Johannesburg To Host “Southern Africa Europe CEO Dialogue”
- Africa News - Kickstarting The Post Covid-19 Economic Recovery The Big Focus of The “Southern Africa Europe Ceo Dialogue” This Year
- Ansa - Ambrosetti, Africa continente su cui investire durante crisi
- Business Day - SA to focus on improving fixed investment, says Godongwana
- Business Ghana - Kickstarting The Post Covid Economic Recovery
- Nomad Africa - Kickstarting The Post Covid-19 Economic Recovery The Big Focus of The “Southern Africa Europe Ceo Dialogue” This Year
- SABC News - Panel hears how current power cuts are creating opportunities for some businesses
- Zawya - Africa and Europe's top business and public sector leaders gather to chart Africa's economic rebirth
Collateral initiatives
Round Table in Copperbelt, Zambia, December 3, 2021
On the sidelines of the 8th edition of the Johannesburg Summit, The European House - Ambrosetti and the Italian Embassy in Lusaka promoted a digital round table on business opportunities in the mining sector in Zambia, where the Copperbelt Province is one of the main copper production areas in Africa and in the world.
CEO Community – African Chapter
Created on the side of the Southern Africa Europe CEO Dialogue in 2019, the CEO Community – African Chapter is a regional club of CEOs from European and African companies that brings together business leaders from Southern Africa to foster exclusive networking activities, facilitate contacts between companies and build privileged relationships with institutions in SADC countries.
The Community, which is reserved for a limited number of CEOs, meets in quarterly meetings where important international guests share their vision of the future of the world economy, and in particular on the African economy, with the participants.
Guests on the programme include HE Emmerson Mnangagwa (President of Zimbabwe), HE Filipe Nyusi (President of Mozambique), Akinwumi Adesina (President of the African Development Bank), Lesetja Kganyago (Governor of the South African Reserve Bank), Shameel Joosub (CEO of Vodacom), Fani Titi (CEO of Investec), Mark Cutifani (former CEO of Anglo American), Akbar Al Baker (CEO of Qatar Airways), Strive Masiywa (CEO of Econet), Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa (CEO of Naspers South Africa), Cristina Duarte (Special Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary General) and many other high-profile personalities.
For more information please contact:
Filippo Malinverno, Project Coordinator – Africa – filippo.malinverno@ambrosetti.eu; Tel. +39 02 46753.627
Nico de Kock, Country Representative in South Africa – info@ambrosetti.co.za; Tel. +27 82 941 4041