Janneh talks about private sector and development in Africa
Novemebr 2006

The Executive Secretary of ECA, Mr. Abdoulie Janneh delivered the Keynote address on Nov 11 at the annual conference of the Development Studies Association (DSA) of the UK and Ireland. The one-day conference, held at the University of Reading, Reading, England was on the theme "The Private Sector, Poverty Reduction and International Development."

The Executive Secretary in the keynote address entitled “The Private Sector and Development in Africa – Challenges and Opportunities” argued that the private sector in Africa, although still in its infancy and not as organized as in other parts of the world, is expanding at a very fast rate, is contributing to growth and poverty reduction. He also highlighted the key role that the state, has played in enabling the growth of the private sector through the expansion of economic space. However, he acknowledged that there is much that remains to be done both by the state and the private sector to realize the full possibilities of the sector's contribution to African development.

More Information about DSA can be found at http://www.devstud.org.uk/conference.htm