In September
2004, Diageo convened a panel discussion to look at the role
the African diaspora can play in advancing the continent’s
development. Financing African
Development: Mobilising the Diaspora took place on the fringe of the 2004 Labour party
conference and brought together representatives from the UK
government and the recently established Commission for Africa,
leaders of diaspora organisations and experts in diaspora fund
transfer.
The African diaspora is already playing an important
role in African development. Each year it remits an estimated
$45 billion. Financing African
Development: Mobilising the Diaspora sought to explore
how these funds could be better structured to promote sustainable
development on the continent. It is also considered the transfer
of intellectual resource and creative business practices
that the African diaspora is stimulating.
David Hampshire,
Chairman of Diageo Africa, chaired the discussion.
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Panellists
then gave short presentations on their areas of expertise:
Dr
Titilola Banjoko
Managing Director, Africa Recruit
The findings of a recent survey of diaspora investments in
Africa.
Barbara James
Associate Director, African
Investment Advisory
Investment vehicles for the African diaspora.
Tidjane Thiam,
Commissioner
Commission for Africa
The work of the Commission for Africa to engage the diaspora
in its consultations.
Rt Hon Paul Boateng MP
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, HM Treasury
The UK Government's commitment to African development.
These
presentations are summarised in the download above. |
