President Mahama At Global Business Forum In Dubai, Says Africa's Infrastructure Gap Needs About $93 Billion To Fill

President John Dramani Mahama, has proposed the need for potential investors to begin to focus on emerging opportunities on the African continent. 

According to him, Africa has shown it has the capacity to grow over the last two decades and the Global business eyes must turn to Africa. 

President Mahama was speaking on a panel discussion at the opening of the Africa global Business Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 

He was joined by the Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Mulatu Wirtu of Ethiopia. 

The Presidents spoke on Issues regarding Africa's growth.

The Ruler of Dubai and initiator of the forum Sheikh Mohammed Al-Maktoum, was present at the opening session.

President John Mahama and his Rwandan and Ethiopian counterparts were indulged on various issues regarding the Africa Market and its potential to grow, hindrances to Africa's growth and issues on accountability and transparency as far as doing business on the Africa continent is concerned.

President Mahama, conceded that the major shortfall to Africa's growth is the infrastructure gap which needs about 93 billion dollars to fill. 

African has none the less enjoyed high economic growth of above five percent over the last decade. 

President Mahama believes with the right partnerships the positive explosion that happened to the Telecommunications sector in Africa and particularly in Ghana can be replicated in other critical areas like Energy, Transport and Agriculture. 

He said Ghana is prioritizing Energy to open up the country for industrial growth. President Mahama,also spoke on some bottlenecks that hinder the continents growth
                                  
Responding to a question if the lack of Transparency, Good governance and Accountability on the African continent was a hindrance to potential investors, President Mahama said that notion should not be generalised as the situation defers from country to country. 

Citing the case of Ghana, he said a strong Civil society coupled with Think tanks put governments on their toes and hold them accountable. What really is the problem is inadequate funding.
                                  
The President and Chief Executive of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce Hamad Buamin, said Africa has a lot of untapped potential and Dubai is ready to put its expertise at the continents disposal. 

Dubai has strong collaboration between the Public  and Private Sectors, an example worth emulating.

GBC