Over 2,500 delegates from 76 countries attended the fifth edition of the Global Business Forum Africa in Dubai, marking a 67 percent increase in participation compared to the previous edition of the forum.
A total of 350 bilateral business meetings were held on the sidelines of GBF Africa 2019 – a 75 percent rise compared to the previous edition. The two-day event featured 40 speakers who joined 26 sessions and panel discussions covering key trends, technologies, opportunities and challenges impacting African economies.
Commenting on the conclusion of the forum, H.E. Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the next edition of GBF Africa will take place at Expo 2020 and offer an ideal platform for African businesses to boost their global profile and explore new growth opportunities.
As an Official Expo 2020 Partner, Dubai Chamber is preparing to host the largest and most comprehensive GBF Africa to date as the organisation leverages its international network in cooperation with the International Chamber of Commerce, he said, adding that the Expo 2020 platform will only add to significance of GBF Africa and elevate Dubai’s position as a global business hub.
It was revealed during GBF Africa 2019 that Dubai Chamber is planning to host 33 business events during Expo 2020 Dubai, which will provide plenty of opportunities for UAE companies to collaborate and forge meaningful connections with their global counterparts.
In addition, Dubai Chamber’s President & CEO noted that the sharp increase in the number of attendees and bilateral business meetings at GBF Africa 2019, reflected growing interest in Dubai as a preferred hub for African companies, adding that the Chamber expects to double these figures during the next forum.
GBF Africa 2019 was organised by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Held on November 18th-19th under the theme “Scale-Up Africa”, the fifth edition of GBF Africa brought together pubic and private sector stakeholders from the UAE and Africa to discuss business prospects emerging across the continent.
