WEF to discuss growth, job creation —Okonjo-Iweala

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said that delegates at the World Economic Forum (WEF) will discuss inclusive growth and job creation, as these were critical to the world.

Speaking on Tuesday at the SHAPE Africa 2014 forum, Okonjo-Iweala said “the Nigerian government is doing its best to transform agriculture and make it more interesting for young people.”

She stated that there was an existing venture capital fund of almost 100 million dollars, supported by the German government, to be invested in young agricultural entrepreneurs, aimed at changing the mindsets of young people and helping them to see agriculture as a good business.

Shape Africa 2014 has given opportunity to shapers across Africa to meet, discuss challenges and proffer bold solutions in the areas of agriculture, entrepreneurship, education and technology. It has also united the hubs and

spurred stronger relationships with stakeholders.

Also speaking at Shape Africa 2014, the Group CEO of Oando Plc., Mr Wale Tinubu, emphasised the need to create a mentality within ourselves that is filled with a spirit of possibility and understanding.

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Using the experience of his foundation as an example, he explained that in creating the organisation, they developed a plan stating what they wanted to achieve, how they intended to go about achieving it, and the time frame for the achievement. He added that they had spent time researching, before embarking on the project.

While addressing the Shapers, the Director, Head of Africa for the World Economic Forum, Elsie Kanza, said that “if Africans are willing to invest in Africa, other people will invest as well.”

“Africans need to take charge and we need to take charge of the things happening in our continent especially as regard technology and education,” she concluded.