Africa’s shortage of infrastructure is a major investment opportunity for its emerging market countries. The cost of addressing Africa's infrastructure needs is around $93 billion a year, according to the World Bank.  The annual Infrastructure Africa Business Forum in the heart of Africa’s primary business centre, Sandton, is hosted by the Gauteng Province Department of Infrastructure Development in association with the NEPAD Business Foundation (NBF) and the NEPAD Planning & Coordination Agency (NPCA) and will present stakeholders with an opportunity to unpack the enormous growth potential in addressing Africa and South Africa's infrastructure needs.

The number of infrastructure experts confirmed to speak at this business forum, demonstrates the importance and growth potential of infrastructure development across the continent. The conference - organised by Siyenza Management who also organise Africa’s premier energy event, the Africa Energy Indaba - will provide both public and private sector stakeholders the opportunity to explore partnerships that will build this critical sector and maximise economic growth, not only in South Africa, but across the continent. Key sectors to be featured at the 2013 event include:  energy, transport, water, agriculture and ICT as well as a number of country sessions focusing on unlocking infrastructure opportunities in Africa’s investment hotspots: Mozambique, Zambia and Angola.

The 2-day business forum from the 16th – 17th July 2013 will provide delegates with an opportunity to meet leading experts in the African infrastructure arena. The following acclaimed businessmen and businesswomen, represent a few of the confirmed speakers who will be addressing the Forum:

• Stanley Subramoney Deputy Chief Executive Officer
PwC
• John Rocha Programme Manager ANSA SDIs
Regional Spatial Development Initiatives Programme: DBSA
• Onyebuchi Memeh Regional Head
Local Corporates and Commodities Trade and Agriculture Products, Transaction Banking, Africa Standard Chartered Bank
• Mike Peo Head: Infrastructure, Energy, Telecommunications
Nedbank Capital
• Brian Statham Chairman
South African National Energy Association
• Barbara Mommen Chief Executive Officer
Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative
• Mark Simpson Chief Executive Officer
SEACOM
• Andre Fourie Head of Sustainability
South African Breweries
• Thomas Garner Chief Executive Officer
Cennergi
• Dr. Edmund Katiti Head of e-Africa Programme
NEPAD
• Dr. John E. Tambi Transport Infrastructure Expert and Coordinator
For the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative
NEPAD Planning and Co-ordinating Agency (NPCA)
• Rodney Milford Programme Manager: Construction Industry Performance
Construction Industry Development Board
• Windsor Chan Deputy General Manager
China Construction Bank
• Mtchera Chirwa Chief Infrastructure & PPP Specialist
African Development Bank
• Geoff Orpen Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor
SURUDEC (Sustainable Rural Development in Eastern Cape)
• Brian Africa Marketing and Business Development Executive
Performance and Customs Bond Services (PCBS)
• Erik Smuts Managing Director
Nampak Bevcan
• William Mzimba Chief Executive of Accenture South Africa

With such a stellar line-up of speakers confirmed, the event promises to provide valuable content as well as case studies to unpack the opportunity to expand business growth across African country borders.  The benefit to attendees present will be access to these Captains of Industry as well as learning from them and establishing new networks of business contacts.