The Chairman of Honeywell Group and FBN Holdings Plc, Mr. Oba Otudeko, has said fundamentals of the African economy remain strong and entrenched.
Otudeko said this at the just concluded 6th edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), held from 26th to 28th August in Nairobi, Kenya.
The summit had in attendance over 30 African Heads of State, including President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.
Addressing the dialogue with the private sector session of the summit, Oba Otudeko encouraged foreign investors and friends of Africa to keep their business plans for Africa alive, saying the one billion strong African population is a major compelling reason to invest in Africa.
Speaking on the present economic situation in Africa, Otudeko said: “Africa has particularly suffered from subdued commodity prices; and as a Nigerian, I can tell you that these are interesting times for both government and businesses.”
He further reassured the audience, saying such trying times would definitely pass because African countries will use this period to deepen and diversify our economies.
“I believe that with the right efforts, we can actualise our vision”, he further said.
In conclusion, Otudeko maintained that “Africa remains open for business and indigenous African companies are open to partnerships and collaborations that will create new ventures and, in turn, growth opportunities for our dear continent.”
Initiated in 1993, TICAD is a summit meeting on African development co-organised by: the Government of Japan, the United Nations Office of the Special Advisor on Africa (UN-OSAA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), African Union Commission (AUC) and the World Bank. Stakeholders include all African countries and development partners.
The main objectives of TICAD are: To promote high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and their partners; and to mobilise support for African-owned development initiatives.
