UN Global Compact participates in the Golden Business Forum Kigali

Inspiring debates at the Golden Business Forum #GBF2023Rw this week in #Kigali, on

The Golden Business Forum (GBF 2023) which held in Kigali, Rwanda from 16th - 18th August is a high-level business platform that was launched by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Rwanda to serve as a catalyst for business development in Africa and beyond. The 3-day event provides a platform to discover sustainable and innovative solutions to ongoing economic challenges affecting the growth of the African continent. 

The 2023 Forum, themed "Creating African Wealth Under the AfCFTA" brought together delegates from around the globe and was an opportunity for industry leaders to connect, be at the forefront of discussions on this important topic and be a part of creating a positive impact on the African continent.

UN Global Compact Africa Head, Dr Herve Lado, participated in the lead panel along with leaders such as Clare Akamanzi, CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB). He noted that the AfCFTA deserves the support of all business leaders in order to deliver on its powerful promises for Africa such as:

- Accelerating wage growth for women at a time the world may need more than 151 years to close the gender gap.

- Creating enough wealth to lift 30 million people in Africa out of poverty in a decade.

"We see an exciting journey ahead with the United Nations Global Compact fully onboard to support the integration of our Ten Principles in the strategies and operations of businesses across Africa so that African entrepreneurs not only do more business under the AfCFTA but they do it responsibly and contribute more deliberately to rescuing the SDGs" Lado noted.

GBF 2023 featured a range of interactive cluster forums and plenary sessions along with investment showcases, matchmaking and partnership building.