DAY ONE - Tuesday, March 19th 2013

Robert Ward, Country Publishing Director, Economist Intelligence Unit
Xan Smiley, Middle East and Africa Editor, The Economist
Mark Eddo, International Journalist; Managing Director, Mark Eddo Media

In this opening session, the Economist Intelligence Unit’s leading forecaster will provide an overview of the global macro-economic picture, talking through the growth prospects for Nigeria, Africa and its major trading partners and identifying scenarios and risks which investors should prepare for.

Robert Ward, Country Publishing Director, Economist Intelligence Unit

As the security challenge facing Nigeria rises, business talk of opportunity and market potential is being qualified by immediate worries around mobility and sales, and longer-term questions about the future of Nigeria. President Goodluck Jonathan will outline his strategy for tackling terrorism and his outlook for Nigeria for the next decade, followed by a discussion with the former President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Moderator: Mark Eddo, International Journalist; Managing Director, Mark Eddo Media
H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, former President of Brazil

A discussion on the prospects for greater cross-border action to boost regional economic integration, as well as moves to improve trade across borders in the region.

Moderator: Robert Ward, Country Publishing Director, Economist Intelligence Unit
Bisi Onasanya, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria
Manoj Kumar, Vice President, Procter & Gamble West Africa
Diana Layfield, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Africa, Standard Chartered
Frank Braeken, Executive Vice President Africa, Unilever

Moderator: Mark Eddo, International Journalist; Managing Director, Mark Eddo Media

The year began with a major policy initiative – the removal of fuel subsidies as part of a plan to revamp the energy sector. The complex and violent reaction, as well as the subsequent compromise, are indicative of the challenges Nigerian reformers face. Where does the agenda for structural reform stand now? Does the political will, credibility and capacity exist to implement the reforms that Nigeria needs? Following the finance minister’s address, we quiz her on the progress of implementation, followed by discussion with delegates.

Nigeria currently spends over 10 billion dollars annually importing wheat, rice, sugar and fish – a criminal waste given the country’s huge potential in agriculture. Nigeria’s Federal Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina will present an overview of the country’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda that seeks to treat agriculture as a business, followed by a discussion.

Moderator: Xan Smiley, Middle East and Africa Editor, The Economist
Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nigeria

The delay in the passage of the petroleum industry bill (PIB) is undermining the confidence of international oil companies when it comes to investing in Nigeria's hydrocarbons industry. But once passed and implemented, the PIB could change the country’s petroleum industry. The Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke presents the impact of the PIB and reveals the future of Nigeria’s petroleum industry, followed by an interview.

Delegates will select one of three extended, interactive sessions led by Economist Group moderators. In each case, a discussion leader will work with participants to suggest initiatives and create a series of recommendations which will then be presented to, and debated with government representatives.

WORKSHOP A:
POWERING NIGERIA: FIXING OIL, GAS AND ELECTRICITY 
Nigeria cannot compete effectively until power supply is accessible and stable for citizens and businesses. Will government policy towards gas production and delivery ensure improved availability of power? What needs to be done to repair power plants and to improve transmission and distribution infrastructure? How can crude oil production and the capacity of Nigeria's refineries increase? What should be done to strengthen key institutions, and to attract long-term investment?

Moderator: Vladimir Duthiers, International Correspondent, CNN
Tony Attah, General Manager, Business Integration, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC)
Anthony Chukwueke, Director, Transcorp Energy
David Ige, Group Executive Director on Gas and Power, NNPC
 

WORKSHOP B:
LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO ENABLE INCLUSIVE, PRIVATE-SECTOR LED GROWTH
Technology is the biggest single driver of change and has been instrumental in Africa’s transformation over the past decade. But Nigeria is far behind East Africa in exploiting the potential of mobile technology. What practical steps are needed to develop broadband networks, putting the internet at the centre of a vibrant, knowledge economy? How will citizens' use of mobile technologies and social networks force industry to rethink business models? And should governments lead the shift to this new reality or just adapt to it? We discuss the steps needed for Nigeria to exploit the potential of the digital economy.

Moderator: Xan Smiley, Middle East and Africa Editor, The Economist
Kennedy Bungane, Chief Executive Officer, Barclays Africa and Head of Africa Group Strategy, Barclays
Saheed Adepoju, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Encipher
Steven Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria
Mark Dean, Chief Technology Officer, IBM Middle East and Africa
Jussi Hinkkanen, Vice President for Corporate Relations and Business Environment, Nokia Middle- East & Africa

WORKSHOP C:
FIXING TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS FOR A GLOBALISED NIGERIA
Ports are congested, road and rail networks in a poor state and both importing and exporting goods in Nigeria can be an ordeal. What needs to be done to reduce the time and hassle associated with moving goods across borders? What action is needed to improve road and rail links, and to reform ports and customs procedures?

Moderator: Robert Ward, Country Publishing Director, Economist Intelligence Unit
Wolfgang Goetsch, Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria
Peder Sondergaard, Chief Executive Officer Africa – Middle East Region, APM Terminals
Gagan Seksaria, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Investments, International Container Terminal Services Inc
Brian Molefe, Group Chief Executive Officer, Transnet

The workshop leaders will present delegates’ ideas, key themes, solutions and recommendations that have emerged during the working groups and during the day. 

Moderator: Xan Smiley, Middle East and Africa Editor, The Economist

DAY TWO - Wednesday, March 20th 2013

Xan Smiley, Middle East and Africa Editor, The Economist

In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss Africa's economic prospects, globalisation and the expansion of South-South trade, opportunities for African companies to become multinationals, the M&A landscape and the reforms which investors would like to see.

Moderator: Mark Eddo, International Journalist; Managing Director, Mark Eddo Media
Matthieu Pigasse, Chief Executive Officer, Lazard France; Vice-Chairman, Lazard Europe and Chairman, Lazard Africa

Moderator: Xan Smiley, Middle East and Africa Editor, The Economist
Hakeem Belo-Osagie, Chairman, Etisalat Nigeria
 

If Nigeria is to use its demographic potential to create a dynamic economy, it needs to improve education systems drastically. Otherwise the lack of skills will just translate the growing population into growing unemployment, poverty and conflict. What is needed to develop the country's human capacity to ensure that young Nigerians can compete in a skills-driven global economy?

Moderator: Mark Eddo, International Journalist; Managing Director, Mark Eddo Media
Hakeem Belo-Osagie, Chairman, Etisalat Nigeria
Ayodeji Adewunmi, President and Co-Founder, Jobberman.com
Chinezi Chijioke, Head of Africa Education Practice, McKinsey & Company
Barbara Ischinger, Director for Education and Skills, OECD
Steve Vosloo, Programme Specialist, UNESCO

Robert Neuwirth, Author, Stealth of Nations and Shadow Cities: A billion squatters, A new Urban World

A panel of Nigeria’s most successful self-made business people in conversation with the latest generation of young African entrepreneurs, discussing the stories behind their successes. Learn how they shattered preconceived ideas, dealt with obstacles and created inventive business models – and find out what they want to see change in Nigeria.

Moderator: Vladimir Duthiers, International Correspondent, CNN
Adeola Adetunji, Chief Executive Officer, Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd 
Austin Okere, Group Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group
Ndidi Nwuneli, Founder, LEAP Africa
Kola Karim, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Shoreline Energy International
Victor Gbolade Osibodu, Chairman, Vigeo Holdings

Moderator: Xan Smiley, Middle East and Africa Editor, The Economist
Jacqueline Novogratz, Chief Executive Officer, Acumen Fund