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Africa ranks
amongst the fastest growing economic regions in the world.
African economies today are called as “Lions on the move “. It
is today home to many of the world’s biggest opportunities.
The global spotlight will be on Africa in next couple of
decades as it raises its full potential. It is today on the
brink of an era of sustained economic growth and development.
Real GDP rose by 4.9% per year from 2000 to 2008. Africa’s
growth acceleration resulted from more than a resource boom.
Government actions to end political conflicts, improve
macroeconomic conditions, and create better business climates
enabled growth to accelerate broadly across countries and
sectors. Africa’s business opportunities are potentially very
large, particularly for companies in consumer-facing
industries such as retail, telecommunications, and banking;
infrastructure-related industries; across the agricultural
value chain; and in resource-related industries. Global
executives and investors cannot afford to ignore the
continent’s immense potential.
It is realizing this immense
opportunity for business and trade in Africa that the
initiative of setting up AFRICA BUSINESS CELL has been taken.
It is a first of its kind initiative across any B School in
India. It is a student’s initiative mentored by the faculty of
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, IIFT. The cell was launched
at IIFT, New Delhi on 21st July 2010 with ambassadors of seven
African countries Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Botswana,
Eritrea, Namibia and Gambia gracing the occasion.
Objectives of
the cell
 To be a knowledge resource
centre on Africa for both students as well as corporates
To promote Africa as an attractive business destination
To ensure increased engagement between the students and the
delegates from embassies and the corporate world in the form
of guest lectures
Conduct sector specific research for various corporates
Carry out live projects for the students of IIFT in
association with various distinguished corporates
Provide a platform to the students where they can discuss
the information about Africa and identify the opportunities
that lie in Africa for them
Activities in
2010
Formal Launch of the cell on
July 22nd, 2010. This occasion was graced by ambassadors of
seven African countries viz. Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tunisia,
Botswana, Eritrea, Namibia and Gambia
Carried out live project for Mahindra Group
Organized “Mansa Musa – The King of Retail” competition in
association with Triton Group where students from the top 20 B
Schools in India participated
Organized Guest Lectures by corporates working in Africa
Activities in
2011
Carried out Live Project for Manipal Universal Learning Private Limited
Engaged with IIFT's International Projects Division in
developing information bank on Africa related issues
A business conclave to be organized in the 3rd week of
October, 2011 with participation from representatives of the
corporate world as well as diplomats from various embassies
A pan India B School Competition to be organized in November,
2011
Coordinators
Ankur Sharma
09911554040
Sai Praveen 07838843878
Email:
abc@iift.ac.in
africabusinesscell.iiftdelhi@gmail.com
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