Subject:  The 6th Africa Resource Bank Meeting

Theme: How Africa can utilize its natural resources to raise the living standards of its people

Contact:Anne Mugoya Events Manager IREN Tel. 020-2731497, E-Mail anne@irenkenya.com or  events@irenkenya.com  for more information.

The Inter Region Economic Network hosted a 2 day workshop on mineral exploitation in Africa. Some of the key issues discussed in the meeting that was held at White Sands Beach Resort at Mombasa (Kenya) on November 10-12, 2008 included: Why resource rich states in Africa are ever in conflict; the 18th century rush to Africa that saw millions of Africans maimed and killed as European countries plundered the continent and what Africa is doing about it. The meeting also focussed on Surface and subsurface wealth exploitation in Africa, Policy environment for resource exploitation in Africa, The African human resource and Water in Africa.

"This event has been very important for Africa since focussed on building of institutions and frameworks that will facilitate a peaceful and profitable exploitation of natural resources for the benefit of the African people" said James Shikwati, Director IREN and CEO The African Executive.

The U.S.A, China, India, Europe, Japan and others are coming to Africa for resources. Although Africa ought to strategically use this opportunity to join the global economy in competitive business, it is floating in a quandary due to poor management and exploitation of its resources. This fuels constant conflicts.

The Inter Region Economic Network (IREN) a winner of the 'Top to-go-to Think Tank' 2008 award was honored to host a cross section of experts from across Africa to discuss resource exploitation in Africa under the theme 'Commercializing Africa's Resources to Promote Prosperity: How Africa can utilize its natural resources to raise the living standards of its people'.

Since 2003 IREN has hosted over 230 participants in its annual Africa Resource Bank (ARB) brainstorming sessions under various themes which include: - Building Africa through Trade; Property Rights in the African context; How Africa can conquer poverty through business; Turning African people into a resource and Positioning Africa in the 21st Century. The 6th ARB focused on how Africa can utilize its natural resources to raise the living standards of its people. 

Delegates included, Members of Parliament, Think Tank leaders, academicians, and business leaders from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Germany and USA.