Obasanjo, Mbeki to speak on Africa’s instability

 BAYO AKINLOYE

No less than three former African presidents are expected at activities marking the 22nd Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of the African Export-Import Bank scheduled to take place in Lusaka, Zambia, from June 10 to 13, according to a programme of events released by the bank.

In a statement issued on Monday in Cairo, Egypt, by Afreximbank’s spokesperson, Mr. Obi Emekekwu, and made available to our correspondent, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique are expected to speak on the risks posed by the resurgence of political uncertainties and insecurity in Africa during a panel discussion on June 11.

The discussion by the former presidents, the bank said, would form part of meetings and seminars of the Advisory Group on Trade Finance and Export Development in Africa being organised by Afreximbank on the sidelines of the AGM.

Emekekwu added that other panels would look at different themes related to Africa’s economic growth and integration, including, “African direct investment as a source of long-term finance for export diversification and development” and the “Impact of recent adverse shocks on Africa’s growth prospects.”