Nigeria To Host 2014 World Economic Forum On Africa

Nigeria's Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala

The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, made the announcement at the close of the 23rd edition of the WEF in Cape Town, South Africa on Friday.

Okonjo-Iweala thanked the WEF for choosing Nigeria as the next host, expressing the readiness of the country to make the next edition as exciting as possible.

She said that the choice of Nigeria was appropriate given its position and huge economic potential.

“I think we epitomise a lot of things about Africa. We have the excitement, the passion, the entrepreneurship, the private sector drive and the glow for the future.

“But we also epitomise all of the difficult challenges of the continent such as infrastructure deficit, governance issues, corruption and transparency,” she said.

According to her, a combination of these opportunities and challenges in one country makes Nigeria the most exciting place to be on the continent.

Okonjo-Iweala said that the future of Africa was bright, judging by the commitment and passion demonstrated by participants in the forum, especially the Young Global Leaders, who represented the youths of the continent.

The Director General, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Mr Frank Nweke Jnr, said that Nigeria was excited to be the host of the next WCF.

He said that President Goodluck Jonathan had already mandated the team to organise a successful forum. (NAN)