Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Wednesday 11 May 2016, depart for Kigali Rwanda where he will lead a high-level government and business delegation to the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) Africa scheduled for 11-13 May 2016.
 
Team South Africa’s participation at WEF Africa comes amidst a positive review of the country by ratings agency Moody’s. Moody’s has also appraised Eskom positively and this bodes well for the country’s competitiveness and attractiveness as an investment destination.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will  thus seek  to promote South Africa as being open to business and as a preferred destination for investments .
 
Deputy President Ramaphosa and Team South Africa will also utilise the opportunity of the various platforms provided by the Forum to communicate a positive message that South Africa macro-economic environment remains resilient- with a dynamic and stable economy underpinned by solid economic fundamentals.
 
In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa and the delegation will reiterate South Africa’s commitment to the full implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) as a cornerstone of our economy. 
 
The delegation will also underline South Africa’s commitment to attracting investments not only to the country but to the SADC region and indeed the entire African continent as part of advancing the continent’s Agenda 2063.
 
The 2016 WEF (Africa) is organised under the theme “Connecting Africa’s Resources through Digital Transformation”. The forum is expected to be attended by regional and global leaders from business, government and civil society focusing on how the digital economy can act as a catalyst to drive radical structural transformation, strengthen public-private collaboration on key global and regional challenges, and agree on strategic actions that can deliver shared prosperity across the continent.
 
According to the World Economic Forum, “Africa’s positive economic outlook is under pressure – mainly due to adverse changes in the global economy – and is expected to remain just below 5% in 2016.”
 
“As many countries in the region improve their investment climate and undertake macroeconomic policy reforms, foreign direct investment flows are expected to continue to grow, although at a slower pace”.
 
Within the context of the continent’s growth and development objectives, and aligned to Agenda 2063, WEF Africa is expected to focus on the following priority areas:
 
1. Long-Term Investing, Infrastructure and Development,
2. Food security and agriculture, and
3. Future of the internet.
 
Team South Africa delegation will include Ministers of Finance Pravin Gordhan, Trade and Industry Rob Davies, Post and Telecommunications Siyabonga Cwele and Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe. The business delegation on the other hand will comprise representatives of, amongst others, Eskom, the Industrial Development Corporation, Old Mutual, ArcelorMittal, and Business Unity South Africa
 
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa – +27- 82 990 4853
 
The Presidency 
Pretoria