UNITAR Online Catalogue

BADEA-UNITAR Workshop on Finance and Investment in Africa

Plazo
27 Sep 2013
Tipo
Workshop
Ubicación
Nairobi, Kenia
Fecha
to
Duración
2 Weeks
Área del programa
Governance, Public Finance and Trade
Sitio web
http://www.unitar.org/pft
Precio
0,00 US$
Correo Electrónico del Centro de Coordinación del Evento
andreas.schmalz@unitar.org
Número del Centro de Coordinación del evento
0041-22-917-8873 (Geneva, Switzerland)
Colaboración
Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)

Antecedentes

The workshop on Finance and Investment in Africa is a foundation program developed to provide middle to high level officials with an overview of the increasingly important area of investment for development. 

Investment facilitation encapsulates a broad array of topics for consideration; from aspects on the financial modalities of investment to business certification and standards of protection, sound facilitation represents the formation of a mutually beneficial architecture for increased commercial integration and expansion. 
With a wealth of natural resources and a burgeoning consumer base, Africa must seek to both provide the products and services sought by its population whilst also ensuring a commercial environment that is conducive to business formation and growth. 
 
For those in the ‘frontier markets’ of sub-Saharan Africa, the securing of foreign trade can provide domestic markets with cheap alternatives whilst also offering many enterprises an opportunity to engage in international commerce, at some level. Accordingly, increased levels of investment in Africa can offer numerous potentials both for investors and indigenous markets. 
 
This workshop, which is financed by the Arab Bank for Development in Africa (BADEA), looks to elucidate these business potentials, offer understanding on the need for legal & regulatory protections  – both for the benefit of businesses and indigenous populations – and examine the policies by which an optimum business environment may be cultivated, to best attract sound investment.

Objetivos del aprendizaje

At the end of the workshop, the participants should be able to:

  • Differentiate between investment challenges & opportunities and recognize the underpinnings of an enabling business environment; 
  • Discuss the financial challenges facing Africa, the importance of strict financial accounting rules and the legal aspect of typical financing;
  • Examine the fundamentals of regional investment facilitation and infrastructure development through Private Public Partnership (PPP); and
  • Explain the financial modalities of investment identify bilateral investment treaties (BIT) and recognize their effect on investment dispute settlement procedures.

Contenido y estructura

The workshop contents include the following: 
  • Infrastructure development through Public Private Partnership (PPP)
  • Enabling Environment, Challenges and Opportunities
  • Regional investment facilitation
  • Standards of protection
  • Investment dispute settlement
  • Bilateral investment treaties (BIT)
  • Present financial challenges facing Africa
  • Legal aspects of typical financing

Metodología

The workshop is a two week event focusing on improving the individual participant’s knowledge of finance and investment issues for development. 

The workshop will be based on a blended-learning participatory approach and include lectures, presentations, case studies, group exercises, and interactive discussions. Participants will receive a comprehensive set of reference and background material, including selected articles, reference documents, copies of PowerPoint presentations, and other relevant materials.

Público objetivo

The workshop targets senior and middle level public sector officials in charge of investment and finance from English-speaking Sub-Saharan African countries not members of the League of Arab States (LAS). 

Participants are expected to meet the the following requirements: 

  • Possess a university degree in economics, political science or a related area; 
  • Have a minimum of five years of practical experience; and
  • Demonstrate a good working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Please note: The workshop will be conducted in English - interpretation to other languages will not be available.

Información adicional

Application Process

Officials who meet the requirements set out under “Targeted Audience” and who are interested in participating in the workshop are kindly requested to send a PDF copy of their nomination letter (on official letterhead) and curriculum vitae (CV) including full contact details to andreas.schmalz [at] unitar.org (andreas[dot]schmalz[at]unitar[dot]org) by or before 27 September 2013.

Acceptance to this workshop is based on professional achievement and organizational responsibility. Due to the interactive nature of the workshop, the number of participants is limited to 20 persons. BADEA and UNITAR will select the 20 participants based on the information provided in their nomination letter and CV and inform them via email. Kindly note that BADEA and UNITAR will not be able to consider incomplete or late applications.

BADEA and UNITAR will award a full fellowship to all accepted candidates. The fellowship includes tuition fees, air travel from their country to/from Nairobi by economy class, hotel accommodation, subsistence allowance, and pocket expenses. Further information will be provided to accepted candidates by email within one month from the start of the workshop.