In partnership with the Government of Botswana, the first sovereign wealth fund in Africa, the Wilson Center's Brown Capital Management Africa Forum will conduct a high-level meeting from May 9-10, 2019 in Gaborone, Botswana to address the key issues and trends in Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) in Africa.

The meeting will take place at the Gaborone International Convention Center. 

This is a private, invitation-only event. Three of the sessions are open to the public to attend. Registration is required to attend the three following public sessions. Please RSVP at the link above:

1.  Welcome and Opening Ceremony (9:00-10:00 AM, Thursday, May 9, 2019)

His Excellency, Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana will officially open the meeting. The session will also feature a Keynote Address which will highlight the growth and role of sovereign wealth funds in Africa, and frame the key issues relating to governance of SWFs, their potential role in advancing Africa’s development, and the opportunities for public-private partnerships and other innovations in this sphere.

Welcome Remarks: Mr. Moses D. Pelaelo, Governor, Bank of Botswana

Opening Remarks: His Excellency, Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana

Remarks:

Ambassador Craig L. Cloud, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana

Dr. Monde Muyangwa, Director, Africa Program/Mr. Eddie C. Brown, Member, Wilson Center National Cabinet, and Founder Chairman and CEO, Brown Capital Management

Keynote Address: Mr. Jingdong Hua, Vice President and Treasurer, World Bank

2.  Special Session: U.S.-Africa Economic Relations (12:45-13:15, Friday, May 10, 2019)

This session will provide an overview of U.S. strategy for Africa with a specific focus on U.S.-Africa economic engagement. It will also touch on USAID’s economic engagement with Africa including through public-private partnerships, and other approaches including how the United States and African SWFs can work together to help develop and secure Africa’s future. Please note that the presentation and discussion will last 30 minutes. 

Speaker: Ms. Oren Whyche-Shaw, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Africa, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United States 

3.  Closing Ceremony—Next Steps and the Way Forward (16:00-16:30, Friday, May 10, 2019)

This short closing session will provide an opportunity to share with the public the key meeting outcomes as well as next steps.

Speakers:

Mr. Moses D. Pelaelo, Governor, Bank of Botswana

Dr. Monde Muyangwa, Director, Africa Program

Mr. Eddie C. Brown, Member, Wilson Center National Cabinet, and Founder Chairman and CEO, Brown Capital Management