“AFRICA DAY” : MONACO AND MEB CONFIRM THEIR AFRICAN AMBITIONS

Wednesday 29 June at Yacht Club de Monaco, Club des Entrepreneurs Monégasques en Afrique (CEMA) in partnership with Monaco Economic Board (MEB) organised its first Africa Day on the theme ‘Green & Digital Africa’; an opportunity to highlight Monaco’s already close relationship with a continent full of potential.

Welcomed by CEMA President Frederic Geerts, MEB Executive Director General Guillaume Rose recalled the many actions taken to reinforce business relations between the Principality and this continent.

MEB and CEMA regularly host Africa-focused MEBinars, each based on a theme or country.

In the last few years, promotional and Trade Missions have also been organised including to Burkina Faso, Mali, Tunisia, the DRC and Gabon. A Trade Mission to Djibouti is being considered after a MEBinar followed by hosting a delegation from this country in May. Lastly, MEB members are also offered other events, notably meetings with ambassadors when they visit the Principality.

For Africa Day, a hundred business leaders gathered to hear talks and take part in round tables with high level figures and experts, such as Lionel Zinsou, a former Prime Minister of Benin, and Monaco companies who are active on the continent and are members of both MEB and CEMA. Challenges, the environment, digital expansion and relations with the Principality were on the agenda.

Frédéric Genta, Monaco’s Country Chief Officer for the Digital Transition & Attractiveness, opened the event, with Jean Castellini, Minister of Finance & the Economy, closing proceedings. Both drew attention to Africa’s potential thanks to digital technology. Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, outlined the many targeted actions taken through cooperation.

With this major, well-organised event by CEMA, which is set to be repeated, Monaco confirmed its links with Africa and its status as a natural gateway to the continent’s future, with opportunities that MEB and its partners plan to seize within the framework of human and sustainable development.