TXF Africa 2017

In this session, join the discussion on whether commodities will reach the old heights or settle on a new normal. Which commodities offer the most opportunity and who is in place to profit from these? What opportunities exist in mergers and acquisitions? Will producers and global mining companies active in Africa invest in technological upgrades to existing projects? Will new projects come to the fore? What does this mean for financing equipment for mines and processing facilities?

Key African agencies discuss where they have been instrumental in financing vital infrastructure projects and combating the pressing issue of access to finance across the continent. Which products are offered by the ATI, PTA, AfDB, Afreximbank, AFC and DBSA and where will they increase coverage? Can the huge SME demand be met? How can commercial banks and ECAs collaborate with these organisations? What is the role of international institutions including IFC, MIGA, OPIC, FMO, EIB and KFW in helping to get more projects off the ground?

Where are the key market opportunities and what financing structures are being employed? How can new projects overcome sustainability issues and learn from past mistakes? Can renewables outstrip conventional power projects to become the dominant force? What can be done to combat offtake instability? How can the costs of new technology be reduced? Where can international financiers and developers become involved?

This expert panel pits together some of the best local and international traders active across Africa, with investors and producers. The agri-focussed session will consider today's key questions, including how global deman and supply patterns will affect the Africa region? Whether we are likely
to see a growth in intra-African regional trade? What can be
learned from successful commodities exchange programmes
and technology-driven approaches to help farmers? How are traders working with fnanciers and which structuring tools and techniques are yielding strong results? Is alternative financing an increasing option? And more…

As private insurance activity in Africa continues to grow, get the lowdown on which underwriters and brokers are leading the way, and the products available to banks and corporates. What is the PRI risk on key African nations and sectors? Is the private insurance market plugging gaps left by the ECAs and what is their appetite in some of the less developed economies in the region?

Hear from the experts who can tell you how to make water infrastructure bankable and exciting for investors. This session uncovers the latest opportunities and government quotas requiring investment.

With a tangible increase in Japanese investment across the continent, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledging $30bn in African investment over the next 3 years, key Japanese institutions give the lowdown on the focus of these investments. What is the strategy of Japanese corporates, ECAs, development agencies and banks in Africa? What role do Japanese companies have in power and renewables projects.

With latest downturn causing West African economies to suffer, how can petro states diversify their economies and what should they prioritise? How can Nigeria invest in food packaging and become less reliant on imports? How can the growth in manufacturing be financed? What new opportunities exist in natural resources and soft commodities and how can these be better managed? What can we learn from Middle Eastern investment in infrastructure?

Exclusive workshop designed to give participants a deeper understanding of the current political risks and opportunities across Africa. How do you mitigate risk? How do you set up codes of practise in high risk countries, where corporate buyers in those countries aren’t very experienced with commercial credit and working with ECAs?

How will China continue to invest in Africa? What are the goals of its government agencies, policy banks and corporations? Which sectors and countries are high on the priority list? How will Chinese growth and consumption affect commodity prices going forward and what will be the impact for African countries?

Africa’s disposable income and standard of living is increasing rapidly. Where are the new business opportunities here? How are companies like Uber, Airbnb and mobile retailers changing consumer habits, and what new financial structures are born out of these?