African leaders seek partnerships at World Economic Forum in Davos

African political and business leaders have joined other heads of state from the rest of the world as well as global business executives at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The leaders have taken to social media to share their messages and objectives with their citizens back home.

Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa said his ‘message is simple’. He will be telling the delegates at the forum that ‘the new Zimbabwe is open for business, looking to the future and ready to take its place among the family of nations’.

Landed in #Davos for the wef. This is the first time in history a Zimbabwean president has attended. My message is simple – the new #Zimbabwe is open for business, looking to the future, and ready to retake its place in the family of nations #WEF18 #Davos2018

— President of Zimbabwe (edmnangagwa) January 22, 2018

Rwanda’s Paul Kagame who is scheduled to speak at the Washington Post Foreign Policy Lunch ad the Peace-building in Africa session shared videos and images friom meetings with Chinese billionaire Jack Ma, South Africa Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Norway Prime Minister Erna Solberg.

President Kagame meets with founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group Jack Ma and IFAD's President Gilbert F. Houngbo on the sidelines of #WEF18 pic.twitter.com/6foiOQaJof

— Presidency | Rwanda (@UrugwiroVillage) January 23, 2018

Video: President Kagame attends the first day of #WEF18 in Davos. pic.twitter.com/nIg97y3HCW

— Presidency | Rwanda (@UrugwiroVillage) January 23, 2018

The South African presidency also shared updates from meetings by its delegation at the forum, led by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa in meetings with other leaders on the margins of the 2018 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland pic.twitter.com/j0IGDLobvQ

— PresidencyZA (@PresidencyZA) January 23, 2018

Cyril Ramaphosa didn't issue any statement about this, but he had an interesting meeting with the IMF today in Davos to discuss future “reforms” in South Africa pic.twitter.com/9XaWc8bH0o

— Geoffrey York (@geoffreyyork) January 23, 2018

Business leaders from Africa including Africa Development Bank (AfDB) president, Akinwumi Adesina are at the forum, sharing the investment opportunities that are available on the continent.

‘‘We have launched a $500 million fund to support businesses in Africa that are producing power in a decentralised way,’‘ said AfDB’s Adesina.

‘‘I am here to tell the Nigerian story, how we are using new technology to drive financial inclusion. It’s time to tell stories of what we are doing right and how, together, we can scale it,’‘ said Diamond Bank CEO Uzoma Dozie.

Just landed in #Davos w/delegation led by TonyOElumelu . #wef2018 we’re seeking more robust engagement by the global economic community on #AfricanEntrepreneurs. We’ll share the progress startups are making in tackling unemployment across Africa. #AfricaAtDavos 4 highlights! pic.twitter.com/27jETwpkMO

— Parminder Vir OBE (@ParminderVir) January 23, 2018

Held under the theme “Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World”, the four-day forum is exclusively co-chaired by women who include; Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Fabiola Gianotti, Director-General of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN); Isabelle Kocher, Chief Executive Officer of ENGIE; Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF); Ginni Rometty, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of IBM Corporation; Chetna Sinha, Founder and Chair of the Mann Deshi Foundation; and Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway.

The forum’s programme is built around four key objectives; driving sustained economic progress, navigating a multipolar and multi-conceptual world, overcoming divisions in society and shaping the agile governance of technology.

American President Donald Trump who is expected at the forum will also meet with the incoming African Union chairperson, Paul Kagame.

National Security Adviser GEN McMaster says that at Davos, POTUS will meet with the head of the African Union, Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 23, 2018