Messages
Message from the Chairman of WFDFI & ADFIAP
I also wish to take this opportunity at the outset to thank our gracious hosts, the Association of African Development Finance Institutions (AADFI) and the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency of Botswana (CEDA), for making this event possible.
The theme of this year’s CEO Forum is aptly and timely entitled, “DFIs: Sustaining Relevance in Age of Disruption”. Indeed, the issue of relevancy of development finance institutions (DFIs), or interchangeably called development banks, as public policy instruments, has always been put to the test time and again.
While it is true that DFIs have appropriately adapted to changes within their midst, experience however shows that the role, institutional structure, funding sources and success measures of DFIs largely depend on the enabling financial system and economic structure wherein which they operate. Two things remain true, though: no country has managed to achieve its developmental goals rapidly without the systematic and coherent mobilization and deployment of financial resources for public ends, and no country has been able to rely entirely upon commercial banks to achieve these goals.
Thus, DFIs exist to continue having an essential role in each country’s development efforts but will this relevancy endure amidst the current “age of disruption”? ‘Disruption’ in this regard does not necessarily mean only in terms of innovation in technologies but also shifts in demographics, societal behavior and needs, economic and market conditions, as well as changes in political, legal and regulatory regimes.
Against this backdrop, the days of ‘business as usual’ are definitely over. DFIs need to constantly innovate to deliver services that matter to their constituencies. They must innovate to tackle disruption, to create clarity of purpose, to optimize board and governance systems and structures, to improve on internal culture and efficiency, to enhance financial stability and influence, and to accelerate progress and focus on sustainability into the future.
We, as participants in this event, come from different backgrounds and operate in different situations but we share a common purpose of seeking ways and means on how best we can carry out our developmental mission. This CEO Forum provides us with such an opportunity, so let’s take advantage of this.
I look very much forward to your attendance in Gaborone and personally meeting you there!
Message from the Host Institution
The Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) with the support of the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry (MITI) is pleased to host the 2016 Joint CEO Forum Through the support of the Ministry and other stakeholders CEDA is prepared to provide an insightful and memorable Forum.
As you are aware, the Joint CEO’s Forum is aimed at developing closer working relationships amongst CEOs of DFIs in Africa, Latin America, and Asia and the Pacific, share and learn best practices in development financing operations, develop networks for cross-border financing and investment promotion by DFIs in the respective continents, as well as support an effort at promoting inclusive socio-economic development in the continents through south-south cooperation among DFIs.
The theme of the 2016 Joint CEO Forum is ‘DFI’s: Sustaining Relevance in the Age of Disruption’ comes at an apt time given the challenges that the global economy has faced in the recent past, and present an opportunity to share experiences on how we as development finance institutions are facing these challenges. For CEDA and Botswana this opportunity is even more pronounced given our commitment to entrepreneurship and empowerment; achieving economic diversification, encouraging competitive and sustainable citizen enterprises and creating sustainable long-term employment opportunities. The recent disruptions have therefore affected the Botswana economy and presented a challenging opportunity to effectively execute on our mandate.
The Forum therefore is opportune for opening dialogue between delegates from both the public and private sector to share and learn best practices in development finance operations and develop a network for cross-border financing and investment promotion of DFI’s who are members of the WFDFI.
Botswana is an exceptional location for the forum. It is renowned as one of the world’s most outstanding places to do business as it has:
- Zero Tolerance to corruption
- Sound legal system and adherence to the rule of law
- Political Stability
- Sustained periods of economic growth,
Gaborone in itself as a city offers a wide array of activities to suit both the corporates and the tourist. The sights and sounds of the city will keep you entertained throughout the days of the Forum. I hope you will find the Forum very valuable and your stay in Gaborone enjoyable and memorable. Let me also invite you to use your visit to Botswana as an opportunity to explore other parts of the country. Botswana is a host to a World Heritage Site, the pristine Okavango Delta. We will be happy to assist you plan a memorable and a once in a life time trip.
I look forward to seeing you at the Conference in November.
With best wishes,
