The forum the New York Forum AFRICA is organized under the high patronage of H.E. President Ali Bongo Ondimba in collaboration with the Government of Gabon and Richard Attias & Associates - part of WPP International group.
Other World leaders who attended the forum included Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Central African Republic President, Catherine Samba-Panza, former president of Peru Alejandro Toledo and former president of Bolivia Jorge Quiroga. The conference brought together more than 3000 participants, including heads of state, politicians, business leaders, Musicians, Fashion Gurus from Africa, Europe, the United States, Latin America and China to discuss strategies for Africa's economic growth, and our own leader Sophia Bekele, CEO of CBS International, Executive Director of DCA Trust and Founder of the highly acclaimed "yes2dotAfrica"
Sophia Bekele was among the delegates who spoke at the conference as an authority on Innovation, Business and Internet synergy, Governance and US-Africa relations. Speaking at the conference, as a panelist ON TRANSFORMING CONNECTIVITY INTO DIGITAL INNOVATION:
Bekele pointed out that due to the exponential growth of mobiles and lack of infrastructure in the rural areas, a rural development strategy using mobiles should be of national importance. She also stressed "This national strategy should also include Mainstreaming Women in the ICT sector". Bekele noted that there will be a need to increase collaboration to reduce the cost of online access, and provide avenue for new markets in IT that will leverage on content creation, which goes into increasing the use of mobile phones, social media and apps. Bekele added that Africa's Generation-Y is using ICT to create opportunities and build businesses but this needs to be marched with training on entrepreneurship, and an understanding on how to monetize the internet for income generation.
While moderating a conversation on US-Africa relations with Washington's high level panel, notably Mr. Robert Wolf CEO and Founder, 32 Advisors, former CEO of UBS Americas, and a three time economic advisor to President Obama and Mr. Dante Paradiso, Charge de Affair for US Embassy Gabon, Bekele raised key questions and roadblocks on the current initiatives of President Obama - Power Africa, Trade Africa, and asking if China's USD 200B trading position with Africa has neutralized the US.
Bekele in conversation with Mr. Robert Wolf and Mr. Dante Paradiso
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She advanced questions and comments on how Barrack Obama's Young Leaders Program ought to mirror the past peace corp initiative, in that USA also needs to know more and be 'hands on' about Africa, and Paradiso discussed in detail on HOW DOES AFRICA SEE THE UNITED STATES and vice versa. Video link to these conversations can be found here: http://player.vimeo.com/video/96486063
This important US-Africa Summit happens as the White House prepares to host the first U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, DC on August 5 and 6, 2014. President Obama looks forward to welcoming leaders from across the African continent to the Nation's Capital to further strengthen ties with one of the world's most dynamic and fastest-growing regions. The Summit will build on the progress made since the President's trip to Africa last summer, advance the Administration'
PR Log: PR 12329767