Theme: The Social Market Economy: Realizing Possibilities for Africa

November 2 - 5, 2016 – Mombasa, Kenya

Background

Economic projections that depict the current century as ‘Africa’s Century’ has failed to address the challenges of peoples’ wellbeing. The continent is characterized by juxtaposed economic systems. Africa’s rural areas largely use the traditional economy; urban areas use the market economy and governments deploy various shades of mixed and centrally planned economic systems. An estimated 50 per cent of Sub Saharan populations lack access to modern health facilities; some 61.4 per cent do not have the level of education to offer productive job opportunities and episodes of Africans perishing in the Mediterranean Sea seeking better opportunities are on the rise. The race to create wealth has generated a society where the majority is excluded from the benefits of being African. Just what type of economic system can address the unique challenge of a “Rising Africa” amidst the ocean of Africans stuck in low prospects to improve wellbeing and quality of life?

The Inter Region Economic Network (IREN) will host its 14th Africa Resource Bank Forum that will discuss the theme: The Social Market Economy: Realizing Possibilities for Africa. IREN calls for participants keen to make presentations on this topic. Indicate the topic you wish to discuss and mail to zaina@irenkenya.com

This year’s forum objectives include:

1.To map out the prevailing Socio-Economic Landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa.
2. To brainstorm on Strengths and Weaknesses of the prevailing economic systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.
3. To discuss tenets of Social Market Economic System.
4. To suggest a practical economic system for Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Africa Resource Bank Forum (initially the “Africa Freedom Network” in 2002) was founded to encourage a business minded approach to African challenges and promote ideas and strategies aimed at causing prosperity in Africa. The forum is held annually and targets policy makers, business leaders, media, industry players and academia, for brainstorming sessions on issues affecting Africa.

Previous forums focused on:-

• (2015): African Agency in Global Affairs
• (2014): African’s Productivity in the 21st Century: Who Owns Africa?
• (2013): Africa Rising: Myth or Reality?
• (2012): The Indian Ocean Rim as a New Frontier: How prepared is Africa?
• (2011): Digital Revolution: Opportunity or threat to Africa?
• (2010): Africa vs. Developed and Emerging Economies: How to Make Africans Win
• (2009): Probing Governance and Prosperity in Africa
• (2008): Commercializing Africa’s Resources to Promote Prosperity
• (2007): Positioning Africa in the 21st Century
• (2006): Turning African People into a Resource
• (2005): Conquering Poverty in Africa through Business
• (2004): Property Rights in the African context
• (2003): Building Africa through Trade