
We are finally meeting again!


About the Commonwealth Business Forum
The Commonwealth Business Forum 2022 (CBF 2022) will be the first and largest in-person gathering for Governments and Business across the Commonwealth since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The CBF 2022 experience has been designed to provide different ways to create meaningful connections, exchange knowledge, contribute to impactful dialogue and consume information.
Hosted as a partnership between the Government of Rwanda and Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) this year’s forum will address the CHOGM theme ‘Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’, with a focus on “A Global Reset”, dealing with the impact of the pandemic and the Commonwealth’s role in rebuilding and reinvigorating the global economy.




There’s nothing quite like the power of in-person collaboration and engaged discourse. The big ideas that emerge will shape the shared future of the Commonwealth.


Who is attending
- Heads of State and Government
- Ministers and Senior Government Officials
- Eminent leaders of global and regional development institutions
- Captains of Industry and Board level business leaders
- Innovators across all sectors
- Impact investors
- Venture capitalists and angel investors
- Champions of Youth entrepreneurship
- Champions of Gender inclusion and equality
- Representatives of Trade organisations
Keynote Speakers


"Rwanda is pleased to welcome all delegates and participants to Kigali for a safe and productive CHOGM Rwanda 2022. The last two years have made it clear to us that we are more connected than ever before and we must work together to achieve the tangible and sustainable results we want. The long awaited meeting will be an important occasion to come together to address the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to build on innovative technological and economic opportunities to solve other key problems facing our citizens."
H.E. Paul Kagame
President of the Republic of Rwanda and Incoming Chair
The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Rt. Hon. Gaston Browne
Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda

Rt. Hon. Philip Davis
Prime Minister of the Bahamas

Rt. Hon. Andrew Michael Holness
Prime Minister, Jamaica

Rt. Hon. Édouard Ngirente
Prime Minister of Rwanda

Hon. Chris Fearne
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Malta

Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga
1st Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda

Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth

Lord Jonathan Marland
Chairman, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council

Clare Akamanzi
CEO, Rwanda Development Board

Hon. Edmund Bartlett
Minister of Tourism, Jamaica

Hon. Vijay Daryanani
Minister for Business, Tourism and The Port, Gibraltar

Makhtar Diop
Managing Director, IFC

Rt. Hon. Andrew Mitchell
Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom

Hon. Wamkele Mene,
Secretary General, AfCFTA

Reeta Roy
President and CEO, Mastercard Foundation

Dr. James Manyika
Senior VP of Technology and Society, GOOGLE


Why you need to be at the Commonwealth Business Forum
- Meet and connect with like-minded experts and practitioners
- Contribute to and shape policy, programme and partnership agendas
- Join new business communities across the commonwealth and thrive
- Discover new markets and opportunities across the Commonwealth
Programme
Curate your #CBF2022 program!
Tuesday
21 June 2022
Kigali Conference and Exhibition Center(KCEV)
Wednesday
22 June 2022
Kigali Conference and Exhibition Center(KCEV)
Thursday
23 June 2022
Kigali Conference and Exhibition Center(KCEV)


8am
Arrivals | Exhibition tours | Meet and Greet hosted by Rwanda Coffee
9.10am – 11am
Opening Ceremony: Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming
Moderator and Master of Ceremony: Julie Gichuru, Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer, Mastercard Foundation, Kenya
Remarks
● Clare Akamanzi, CEO, Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda
● Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman, CWEIC, United Kingdom
● The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Commonwealth Secretariat, United Kingdom
Fireside Chat Panel Discussion:
● H.E. Paul Kagame, President, Republic of Rwanda
● Makhtar Diop, Managing Director, International Finance Corporation, Senegal
● Dr. Andrew Forrest, Non-executive Chairman, Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) & Chairman and Co-Founder, Minderoo Foundation
● Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President, Africa Development Bank, Nigeria
● Amali Chivanthi de Alwis MBE, CEO, Subak
Session Description: The Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Business Forum will feature keynote speeches from representatives from RDB, the Commonwealth Secretariat and CWEIC. These speeches are expected to focus on the strength of the Commonwealth as a group of nations and highlighting the Commonwealth Advantage. There will also be a fireside chat between key public and private sectors, in discussion with His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, which will set the scene and ambition for the Business Forum 2022.
Location: Akagera Hall, KCEV
11am - 11.30am
Networking break and Exhibition tours
11.30am – 1pm
Opening Plenary
A Global Reset: Leveraging the Commonwealth for a Global Recovery
Keynote address: James Mwangi, Chairman and CEO, Equity Group Holdings Plc
Moderator: Lanre Akinola, Head of Content, Norwegian-African Business Association (NABA)
Panelists:
● Dr. Donald Kaberuka, Managing Partner, Southbridge, Rwanda
● Jim Ovia, Founder and Chairman, Zenith Bank, Nigeria
● Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President, AGRA, Rwanda
● Dr. Vera Songwe, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary, UNECA
● Dr. Nadia Binte Amin, Chair, Women’s Entrepreneurship for Development Association (WEND), Bangladesh
● Gagan Gupta, Founder and CEO, Arise, India
Session Description: The economic shock of COVID-19 in 2020 pushed the global economy into a sharp downturn and exposed systemic fragilities. The Commonwealth is uniquely positioned as a worldwide alliance with inherent benefits including economic, political and cultural links, and can lead the way in demonstrating what a truly global recovery can look like. This session will discuss challenges including downturns in employment, disruptions to healthcare service, school closures, trade, and supply chain disruptions. It will compare recovery strategies and experiences and contribute to a unified approach to recovery.
Location: Akagera Hall, KCEV
1pm - 2pm
Networking break and Exhibition tours
2pm – 3.30pm
Commonwealth Trade: Challenging Protectionisms and Reducing the Barriers to Business
Moderator: Julie Gichuru, Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer, Mastercard Foundation, Kenya
Scene setting Remarks: H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General, AfCFTA, South Africa
Panelists
● Dr. George Elombi, Executive Vice President – Corporate Governance and Legal Services, Afreximbank
● Faustin Mbundu, Chairman, MTN Rwandacell PLC, Rwanda
● Annette Ssemuwemba, Deputy Executive Director, EIF at WTO, Uganda
● Deodat Maharaj, CEO, Caribbean Export Development Agency, Trinidad & Tobago
● Marco Forgione, Director General, Institute of Export and International Trade, United Kingdom
● Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Partner, Africa Legal Partners, Ghana
● Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, Secretary General, African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), Rwanda
Session Description: As the world recovers, free trade areas and reducing barriers to cross-border trade are more critical than ever – how can the Commonwealth challenge rising protectionism? This session will draw on the panelists experience across Free Trade Agreements, legal procedures, financial services, standards and import-export to answer questions about the future of Commonwealth Trade and how the Commonwealth can use its values, expertise, and experience to bring about a more prosperous future for all.
Location: Akagera Hall, KCEV
Positioning the Commonwealth for the Future of Work
Moderator: Dr. Joanna Newman, Secretary-General, Association of Commonwealth Universities, United Kingdom
Panelists:
● Will Straw, Prince’s Trust International, CEO, United Kingdom
● Reeta Roy, Mastercard Foundation, President, Malaysia
● JP Fabri, Seed Consultancy, Director, Malta
● Professor John Latham, Coventry University, Vice-Chancellor, United Kingdom
● Fred Swaniker, African Leadership Academy, Founder, Ghana
● Melvyn Lubega, Co-Founder, GO1, South Africa
Session Description: The Covid-19 pandemic took an enormous toll on the global workforce, and will have lasting impact on the way we live and work. Even though the world is recovering, the impact on the workforce is profound. How can Commonwealth organisations work together to ensure that no young person is left behind? This session will ask panelists to draw on their expertise in the fields of higher education, policy making, third sector, and private-sector led philanthropy, to debate how public-private sector collaboration can ensure dynamic stability for the workforce whilst encouraging disruptive technologies to aid in post-pandemic recovery.
Location: Kigali Hall, KCEV
Innovation Avenue Mixer: Innovation in the Commonwealth
Moderator and Master of Ceremony: Georgie Ndirangu, Global Moderator & Consultant, Portland, Kenya
Lightning talk: Benjamin Fernandes, Founder and CEO, Nala Money, Tanzania
Fireside chat:
● Dr. Sangu Delle, Chairman, Golden Palm Investments, Ghana● Rebecca Enonchong, CEO, APPS Tech, Cameroon
● Tesi Rusagara, Managing Director, Kigali Innovation City, Rwanda
Session Description: The session will unpack how future innovations, mainly influenced by digitization, will affect the future of the Commonwealth and unpack the enablers required for commonwealth countries to build thriving innovation ecosystems. The speakers will highlight the unique perspectives across the innovation ecosystems such as; young innovators, investors/ financiers and policy makers.
Location: Disrupt Hub, KCEV
Innovating for Resilient and Inclusive Food Systems Think Tank
Moderator: CJ Fonzi, Partner at Dalberg Advisors and Office Director, Dalberg Kigali
Chair: Hon. Gerardine Mukeshimana, Minister of Agriculture & Animal Resources, Rwanda
Co-Chairs: JPatrick Ambuga Amuyunzu,Commercial Head and Director, East Africa UPL & Mr. James Mwangi, CEO, Equity Group Holdings Plc
Scene setter: Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President, AGRA
Thought Leaders
● Peter Obi, Former Governor of Anambra State
● Mrs. Perez Ochieng, CEO, SACOMA Global Foods Innovation, United Kingdom
● Ify Umunna, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Nourishing Africa, Nigeria
● Deodat Maharaj, Executive Director, Caribbean Export Development Agency, Trinidad & Tobago
● Eric Pohlman, Co-Founder & Rwanda Country Director, One Acre Fund-TUBURA
Session Description: This roundtable will focus on how the Commonwealth can accelerate action to sustainably ensure safe and nutritious food for all. This is the number one shared priority coming out of the Food Systems Summit, with 91% of 111 countries noting a focus on advancing healthy diets from sustainable food systems as a focus in their national pathways for food systems transformation to achieve the SDGs. This roundtable will dive into interlinked opportunities for “Connecting, Innovating, Transforming” our food systems to achieve safe and nutritious food for all.
Location: Urukari Hall, KCEV
3.30pm
Networking break and Exhibition tours
4pm – 5.30pm
The Business of Sustainable Fashion
Moderator: Fiona Muthoni, Presenter and Producer, CNBC Africa
Panelists:
● Caroline Rush CBE, CEO, British Fashion Council, United Kingdom
● Tamara Cincik, CEO, Fashion Roundtable, United Kingdom
● Teta Isibo, Founder, Inzuki Designs, Rwanda
● Omowunmi Wemi-Akinsola, Founder, Fashtracker, Nigeria
● Keneea Linton-George, Fashion Designer, Keenea Linton Designs, Jamaica
Session Description: From gender equality to youth empowerment, from job creation to climate action, from innovation to education, the $ 2.4 trillion has the capacity to transform the lives of millions of people - particularly women and youth - around the world. This panel will discuss the outlook of the fashion industry post-COVID-19 and the types of models and environment needed to get to a sustainable, empowering and inclusive fashion industry.
Location: Akagera Hall, KCEV
Transforming Rwanda into a Pan-African Financial Hub: The KIFC Journey
Hosted by Rwanda Finance Limited (RFL)
SESSION OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES
Established in January 2020 as part of the Government of Rwanda’s Vision 2050 of positioning as a Financial Services Hub, Kigali International Financial Centre’s ambition is to become a preferred financial centre for international investments in Africa.
KIFC aims to be a catalyst for a safe, compliant, and pro-business financial services environment in Rwanda. The core objective of KIFC is to advance the competitiveness of the financial industry in Rwanda through developing effective frameworks for regulations, tax and capacity building and ultimately facilitating increased investments and trade within Eastern and Central Africa.
The KIFC Event themed: ‘Transforming Rwanda into a Pan-African financial hub: the KIFC journey’ is an opportunity to showcase the attractiveness of KIFC at the first and largest in-person gathering for governments and the private sector across the Commonwealth since the start of the pandemic.
The 90-minute session will bring together business leaders and policy makers alike, to look at the crucial role Kigali International Financial Centre is playing in accelerating Rwanda’s development strategy, facilitating capital deployment to the region, and transforming the country into a Pan-African financial services hub.
EVENT PROGRAM
- Welcome Remarks: Nick Barigye, CEO, Rwanda Finance Limited
- Video: KIFC: 2-Year Journey
- Guest of Honour - TBC
- Panel Session: Transforming Rwanda into a Pan-African Financial Hub - The KIFC Journey:
- Fadilah Tchoumba, Secretary General, African Business Angels Network
- Ntoudi Mouyelo, Chief Investment Officer, Rwanda Finance Limited
- Shola Akinlade, CEO and Co-Founder, Paystack
- Pardon Mujakachi, VP Strategy and Partnerships, Chippercash Africa
- Q&A
- Special Announcement
- Video: KIFC Club Members
- Remarks: Nick O’Donohoe, CEO, British International Investment
- Closing: Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning
Location: Kigali Hall, KCEV
The Future of Africa’s Agricultural Sector: Youth, Technology & Innovation
Hosted by Heifer International
A session hosted by Heifer International
EVENT PROGRAM
- Welcome Remarks: Betty Tushabe, Country Director, Heifer International Rwanda
- Video: The role of Youth and Technology for the future of Agriculture
- Panel Session: Scaling-up the role of Youth, Technology, and Innovation in the Future of Africa’s Agricultural Development
- Peninah Wanja
- Naledi Magowe
- Meron Tesfaye
- Meskerem Yemaneh
- Q&A
- Closing Remarks: Betty Tushabe, Country Director, Heifer International Rwanda
Location: Disrupt Hub, KCEV
Gridworks
A special session focussing on sustainable energy and how targeted investment can make a material difference to communities. This session will include the signing of a significant deal which shows the strength of Commonwealth partnerships.
4pm – 6pm
Field visit: Kigali Innovation Hubs
Participants will visit Norrsken House Kigali. Shuttles to the hub will depart from the forum venue at 4pm. Delegates will be taken to the cocktail straight after the field visit.
6pm - 8pm
Cocktail Reception hosted by the Rwanda Development Board
Master of Ceremony: Isabelle Masozera
Location: Kigali Convention Center (KCC- by Radisson Blu)
N.B: transport will be provided from the CBF venue, Kigali Conference & Exhibition Village (KCEV)
8am – 9am
- Breakfast hosted by Colombo Port City breakfast
Location: Disrupt Hub - Breakfast meeting hosted by NMS
Location: Kigali Serena Hotel
A breakfast sponsored by NMS focussing on agriculture and showcasing one project which will have demonstrable benefits to the people of Uganda. The project, which will be signed at the session, outlines Uganda’s vision for agriculture to create wealth and jobs, raise standards and increase quality for export. This is on top of increasing production to feed Uganda and the wider Region.
9.30am – 11am
Ecosystems: Redesigning Global Value Chains in a Post- COVID World
Moderator: : Sir Hugo Swire KCMG, Deputy Chairman, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council
Panel 1: Ecosystem Enablers
● George Odhiambo, Managing Director, BPR Rwanda Plc
● Andrew Clint, Managing Director of Authentication, De La Rue, United Kingdom
● Bhairav Trivedi, CEO, Crown Agents Bank, United Kingdom
● Dr. Diane Acha-Morfaw, Chair, Cameroon Promotion Investment Agency, Cameroon
Panel 2: Impact of COVID-19 on manufacturing: Managing future disruptions
● Dr. Darshan Chandaria, Group CEO, Chandaria Industries Ltd
● Dr. Asiwaju Michael Olawale-Cole, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nigeria
● Kampeta Sayinzoga, CEO, Development Bank of Rwanda, Rwanda
Session Description: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt for decades to come. Supply chain resilience being one of the hardest hit areas. The World Economic Forum states that innovating ecosystems is one of key drivers of competitiveness, and remains a cornerstone of a modern economy. This session will ask panelists to draw on their expertise from the financial sector, manufacturing sector, and chambers of commerce and industry to share insights into how policy-makers can better collaborate with the private sector to reaffirm global supply chains.
Location: Akagera Hall, KCEV
Technology Governance: Are we prepared?
Video: “Agile technology and data governance to unlock socio-economic benefits of cross-border collaboration and trade”
Presentation: Israel Bimpe, Zipline, Director Africa Go-To-Market, Rwanda
Moderator: Alice Higiro, Project Director, Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda
Panelists:
● Victoria Brackett, Group Chief Commercial Officer, Irwin Mitchell, United Kingdom
● Hon. Soraya Hakuziyaremye, Deputy Governor, National Bank of Rwanda
● Ben Hedley, Leader, Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN) and Africa and Caribbean Engagement, United Kingdom
● Frank Hester, CEO, TPP, United Kingdom
● Dipo Faulkner, Vice President, Oracle Africa, Nigeria
Session Description: Technology continues to rapidly change the way we live and work, often for the better. A new era of disruptive technologies like big data, cloud technology, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are driving productivity, GDP growth, and research & development opportunities. To maintain this growth, we must leverage digital innovation, sustainable digital infrastructure, and regulatory foresight. Delegates will learn about: governance use cases; sandbox strategy ideas; pathways to navigate conversations on behalf of innovators; and, how to identify governance gaps.
Location: Kigali Hall, KCEV
Launch of Coventry University Africa Hub
Hosted by Coventry University
Welcome remarks: Silas Lwakabamba, Regional MD, Coventry University Africa Hub
Opening remarks: Prof John Latham, Vice- Chancellor & CEO, Coventry University Group
Moderator: Fiona Muthoni, Presenter and Producer, CNBC Africa
Panel Session: The role of Education in the African labour market: Skills and Innovation for Growth
• Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Minister of Education, Rwanda
• Dr. Joanna Newman, Secretary General, Association of Commonwealth Universities
• John Humphrey, Her Majestry’s Trade Commissioner of Africa (UK)
• Prof. John Latham, Vice- Chancellor and CEO, Coventry University Group
Signing of MoUs & Launch of MBA Programme
Remarks by Guest of Honor: TBC
Vote of Thanks: Prof. Silas Lwakabamba and invitation to the Coventry University Group Exhibition Booth
Location: Disrupt Hub, KCEV
Accelerating the Transition to Sustainable Energy Think Tank
Moderator: Victoria Chelangat Sabula, CEO, Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, Kenya
Chair: Dr. Ernest Nsabimana, Minister of Infrastructure, Rwanda
Co-chair: Simbarashe Mhuriro, General Manager of RioEnergy,the energy division of RioZim Limited , Zimbabwe- TBC
Scene setter: Jumoke Jagun-Dokunmu, Regional Director for Eastern Africa, IFC, Nigeria
Thought Leaders:
• Teddy Mugabo, CEO, Rwanda Green Fund
• James Mwangi, Executive Director, Dalberg
• Paul Hinks, Founder and Chairman, Symbion Power, USA
• Mansoor Hamayun, Founder, BBOX
• Samuel Makome, CCO, KCB Group
• Prof. Irving Mintzer, Director, Initiative on Closing the Investment Gap in Sustainable Finance, University of Maryland
• Ayo Otuyalo, Group Managing Director, Prime Atlantic
Session Description: We are not on track to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Nearly 760 million people across the world still lack access to electricity and 2.6 billion still rely on dirty fuels for cooking. This session will bring together representatives from business, governments, civil society, science and academia to participate in discussions and debates – with the objective of laying out concrete actions, commitments and partnerships that will be required by all actors to ensure the Commonwealth is on track to successfully make the transition towards clean energy.
Location: Urukari Hall, KCEV
9am – 1pm
Field visit: Agribusiness
Participants will visit Rwanda Institute of Conservation Agriculture (RICA). Shuttles to RICA will depart from the forum venue at 9am. Delegates will have their lunch at RICA and thereafter brought back to the CBF venue, KCEV.
11am - 11.30am
Networking break and Exhibition tours
11.30am – 1pm
Our Common Health: Delivering Equitable Healthcare
Keynote Address
- The Hon. Chris Fearne, Deputy PM of Malta, Minister of Health and Pediatric Surgeon
Opening Remarks from TPP
- Frank Hester, CEO, TPP
Moderator: Georgie Ndirangu, Global Moderator & Consultant, Portland, Kenya
Panel: Bridging the Global Health Equity Gap
- Frank Hester OBE, CEO, TPP, United Kingdom
- Dr. Sangu Delle, CEO, Africa Health Holdings, Ghana
- Gregory Rockson, CEO, mPharma, Ghana
- Dr. Senait Fisseha, Director of international programs, Susan Buffett Foundation, Ethiopia
IDRC Presentation by: Kathryn Toure, Regional Director, Eastern and Southern Africa, IDRC, Canada
Fireside Chat: Innovating for Vaccine Equity
- Robert Nelsen, Chairman, Resilience Biotech, United States
- Holm Keller, Executive Chairman & CEO, kENUP, Germany
- Fergus Drake, CEO, Crown Agents, United Kingdom
- Noella Bigirimana, Deputy Director General, Rwanda Biomedical Center
Closing
Session Description: The pandemic pushed health systems around the world to their limits and exposed previously unknown fragilities. Technologies that emerged during the pandemic have the ability to increase equitability and access to quality healthcare. The focus must now shift on strengthening health care systems as we slowly emerge from crisis mode. This session will discuss the policies, practices and partnerships that need to be adapted and scaled to build resilient and sustainable global health systems that will withstand the next crisis and continue to provide uninterrupted care that is accessible to all. The session will also examine how we define and value global health in the wake of the pandemic. The session will run in two parts, the first part will be a panel conversation on addressing the global health equity gap and the second will be a fireside chat focused on innovating for vaccine equity.
Akagera Hall, KCEV
Innovative Financing, Supporting Future Growth
Lightning Talk: Iyinoluwa E Aboyeji, Founder and General Partner, Future Africa, Nigeria
Moderator: Rebecca Enonchong, CEO, APPS Tech, Cameroon
Panelists
- Mark Napier, CEO, FSD Africa, Kenya
- Nick O'Donohoe, CEO, British International Investment, United Kingdom
- Shola Akinlade, CEO and Co-Founder, Paystack, Nigeria
- Joe Moynihan, CEO, Jersey Finance, Jersey
- Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO, Bank of Kigali, Rwanda
- Samuel Makome, CCO, KCB Group, Kenya
- Chantal Kagame, CEO, Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd, MTN Group, Rwanda
Session Description: Financing is an essential element of bringing nearly any good idea to life, whether for a household, a community, a country, or an entire region. Innovations in financing in recent years have opened a variety of new prospects to advance business and development priorities across the Commonwealth. This session will explore the challenges of traditional financing, opportunities with innovative financing models and how governments and businesses can make the most of them for the Commonwealth. It will also analyse the role of FinTech such as Crypto, AI and Blockchain in growing the economy, how governments can create the infrastructure to help it thrive and how government can de-risk private investment.
Kigali Hall, KCEV
Sector Mixer: Champions for Green
Master of Ceremony: Fiona Muthoni, Presenter and Producer, CNBC Africa
Video Message
- Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO, Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL)
TED Talk series
- Green City Pilot and the Challenges of Financing Green Initiatives
- Teddy Mugabo, CEO, Rwanda Green Fund
- Innovative Conservation Finance: Natural Assets, Conservation Trust Funds, and Leveraging Carbon Finance
- Dr. Max Graham, Founder and CEO, Space for Giants
- Women and Climate Change: Achieving Gender Equity in this Space
- Sophie Odupoy, Group Head of Public Affairs at KOKO Networks, Kenya
- Closing the investment gap in sustainable finance: Challenges and what the Commonwealth can do to mitigate them
- Prof. Irving Mintzer, Director, Initiative on Closing the Investment Gap in Sustainable Finance, University of Maryland
Q&A- Audience Interaction
Guided Exhibition Tour, “Transformation Cluster,” and networking
Session Description: Never before has humanity faced such a pressing need for sustainable development and environmentally conscious innovation. With longstanding warnings about rising temperatures and sea levels, record glacial melt, increasingly dangerous weather patterns, and the rapid desertification of formerly plentiful arable land, the time to act is now. To tackle the myriad issues facing humanity, both co-ordination and localised solutions are needed. What unites us is the existential threat of ecological collapse, and the need to facilitate the changes necessary to protect us all and indeed our planet. By reducing consumption, changing behaviours, providing financial and governmental support to climate initiatives and innovative research, and encouraging global education on these matters; we can and will make a difference.
Location: Disrupt Hub, KCEV
Skilling the Commonwealth for the Future Think Tank
Chair: Hon. Claudette Irere, Minister of State, MINEDUC
Co-chair: Fred Swaniker, Founder & CEO, African Leadership Group
Scene setter: Nathalie Munyampenda, CEO, Kepler, Rwanda
Thought leaders:
- Prof. John Latham, Vice-Chancellor, Coventry University, United Kingdom,
- Ify Umunna, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Nourishing Africa, Nigeria
- Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Executive Chair & Co-Founder, Higherlife Foundation
- Pascal Murasira, Managing Director, Norrsken East Africa
- Gbemi Disu, Executive Director, Carnegie Mellon University Africa
- Ayo Otuyalo, Group Managing Director, Prime Atlantic
Session Description: With 2.4 billion citizens spanning 5 continents, the Commonwealth's greatest strength lies in its people, 60% of whom are under the age of 30. Yet millions of these citizens remain unemployed and untapped in our national economies, while many of those that are working are not doing so as effectively as they could. Our collective challenge as a Commonwealth is to close the existing skills gap and catch up with the modern economy, even when the nature of work is rapidly changing in the context of globalisation and the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). This roundtable will focus on how the Commonwealth can re-skill and upskill our people to properly prepare them for the jobs of today and of the future.
Location: Disrupt Hub, Virunga Hall, KCEV
1pm - 2pm
Lunch
2pm – 3.30pm
Bridging the Digital Divide
Keynote: Rt. Hon. Andrew Michael Holness, Prime Minister, Jamaica
Moderator: Tesi Rusagara, MD, Kigali Innovation City
Panelists:
- Hon. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda
- Hardy Pemhiwa, President and CEO, Cassava Technologies, South Africa
- Dr Valentine Obi, Chairman, eTranzact, Nigeria
- Yonas Maru, Founder, BCS Group, Mauritius
- Tomas Lamanauskas, Managing Partner, Envision Associates & Candidate for Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, Republic of Lithuania
- Ralph Mupita, President & CEO, MTN Group, South Africa
- Dr Amod Kumar, Deputy Director General, Unique Identification Authority of India
Session Description: The Digital Divide refers to a significant difference in accessibility, affordability, usability, and/or equity of technology experience based on categories such as income, race, gender, location, and education. The complex challenge occurs in finding practical and workable solutions that can bridge this divide and prevent new divides from opening in the next generations. Some efforts to close the digital divide include digital inclusion policies and tools, pooling of resources and understanding the realities of the grassroots. The goal is to achieve digital equity where all individuals and communities have the technology capacity needed for full participation in society, democracy and economy. The big question is, where do we begin?
Location: Akagera Hall, Virunga
Impact Investments: Unleashing the power of capital for good
Moderator: Tumi Dlamini, CEO, Organisation for Global Africa Cooperation South Africa
Scene setter: Batya Blankers, Co-Founder & CEO, Chancen International, Rwanda
Panelists:
- Dr. Andrew Forrest, Non-executive Chairman, Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) & Chairman and Co-Founder, Minderoo Foundation
- Itzhak Fisher, Chairman of the Board, Rwanda Development Board
- Mohamed Amersi, Founder, Inclusive Ventures Group
- Colin Buckley, Managing Director and General Council, British International Investment, United Kingdom
- Christelle Kwizera, Founder, Water Access Rwanda
Session Description: Impact investments are investments made with the intention to generate positive and measurable social and environmental impact, alongside a financial return. Philanthropists and impact investors are aligning their capital to the Sustainable Development Goals and weighing their financial return on investments alongside environmental and social impact. This session will share insights on: impact investments & how they work, as well as what impact investors look for, how they measure impact, and market opportunities.
Kigali Hall, KCEV
Thought Leadership Think Tank: Financial and Professional Services
Chair: Nick Barigye, CEO, RFL, Rwanda
Co-Chair & Moderator: Bronek Masojada, Advisor, Lloyd’s of London
Thought leaders:
- Wole Oshin, Founder and MD, Custodian Group, Nigeria
- Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO, Bank of Kigali, Rwanda
- Joe Moynihan, CEO, Jersey Finance, Jersey
- Alice Kilonzo-Zulu, MD, Ecobank Rwanda, Kenya
- Bhairav Trivedi, CEO, Crown Agents Bank, UK
- Dr. Valentine Obi, CEO, eTranzact, Nigeria
- Wilf Blackburn, Regional CEO, Prudential
Session Description: This session will cover three main topics: (1) Facilitating Global Trade, (2) Accessing financing for SMEs, and (3) Innovation and FinTech. The roundtable will seek to raise a shared understanding and draw out insights across members of government, private sector, and civil society who are playing lead roles in how these issues are unfolding across the Commonwealth and globally. Before closing the discussion, all participants will be asked to share 1-2 ideas as take-away points to work on during the upcoming 2 years under the leadership of the Chair, Nick Barigye, CEO of RFL.
Location: Urukari Hall, KCEV
Private sector investments in nature based solution & biodiversity
Hosted by Africa Wildlife Foundation(AWF)
Introduction by Moderator: Georgie Ndirangu
AWF Background
- Belise Kariza – Country Director- Rwanda, African Wildlife Foundation
AWF Vision Video
Keynote Address
- Kaddu Sebunya - Chief Executive Officer (CEO), African Wildlife Foundation
Panel Discussion: ‘Redefining the role of private finance in conservation’
- JULIET KABERA – Director General of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority
- EMERY RUBAGENGA -- CEO Ishango Investment Ltd.
- ROB BAAS – Managing Director of Wilderness Safaris Rwanda
- ANDREA ATHANAS – Senior Director Business Engagement & Europe- African Wildlife Foundation
Q&A session
Closing Remarks and Group Photo
Session Description:
Flourishing communities, resilient economies and thriving businesses rely on nature.
The African Wildlife Foundation has been committed to engaging the private sector at all implementation levels of conservation. We have identified several key stakeholders that have not been traditionally engaged at high-level conservation conferences.
This event is aimed at bringing several key stakeholders together to change the narrative and their understanding of the benefits that could potentially come from natural resources beyond sourcing for raw materials for big consumer product companies.
Location: Departure from KCEV
Field visit: The Business of Healthcare
Participants will visit Babyl RW. Shuttles to Babyl will depart from the forum venue at 2pm. Thereafter, delegates will return to the CBF Venue, KCEV.
• Tour
• Meet and greet
• Presentations
Transforming the Commonwealth
Location: Departure from KCEV
3.30pm - 4pm
Networking break and Exhibition tours
4pm - 5.30pm
Financing Blue-Green Growth for Sustainable Islands
Video: Elizabeth Mrema, Executive Secretary, UN Convention of Biological Diversity
Fireside chat
Moderator: Lord Marland, Chairman, Commonwealth Enterprise & Investment Council
- The Rt. Hon. Gaston Browne, Prime Minister, Antigua & Barbuda,
- The Rt. Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister, The Bahamas,
Panel
Moderator: JP Fabri, Director, Seed Consultancy
- Mansoor Hamayun, Founder, BBOX, United Kingdom
- John Bowers, Director of New Business, MDA Technologies
- Millie Ogden, Council Member, Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industries
- Dr Nick Hardman-Mountford, Head of Oceans and Natural Resources, The Commonwealth
- Colin Buckley, Managing Director and General Council, British International Investment, United Kingdom
Session Description: The unique characteristics of small islands present both benefits and vulnerabilities. How can green financing solutions such as ‘The Commonwealth Green Finance Facility’ help islands use their size and agility to accelerate their uptake of Nature Based Solutions, and transform their reliance on tourism and shipping into blue-green growth? The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) describes the ocean as the next great economic frontier, as it holds potential for wealth and economic growth, employment and innovation. It is now more important than ever to achieve a cohesive partnership between governments, organisations, policy makers, and the private sector to ensure that there are no unnecessary barriers to achieving this potential.
Akagera Hall, Virunga
Sustainable Tourism & Travel
Video: Joss Kent, CEO, &Beyond
Moderator: David Rhoden Salmon, Journalist, Jamaica Gleaner
3-way Ministerial Chat: From Dialogue to Action- Policy Maker Perspective
- Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica
- Hon. Vijay Daryanani, Minister for Business, Tourism and the Port, Gibraltar
- Hon. Hamat Ngai Kumba Bah, Minister of Tourism and Culture, the Gambia
Panel: From Dialogue to Action-Private Sector Perspective
- Dr Max Graham, Founder and CEO, Space for Giants, United Kingdom
- Kaddu Sebunya, CEO, Africa Wildlife Foundation, Kenya
- Rudra Chatterjee, Vice Chairman, Luxmi Tea, India
- Yvonne Makolo, CEO, Rwandair, Rwanda
- John Holland-Kaye, CEO, Heathrow Airport-tbc
Session Description: Tourism is a ‘super growth industry’ and a vital pillar of many Commonwealth countries, contributing to economic wealth and development. COVID-19 has shed light on the need to future-proof travel, tourism, and conservation to withstand global shocks. In this session, Commonwealth industries leaders will share their strategies to revitalise tourism and revive ancillary sectors, such transport and hospitality. Discussions will also address transitioning tourism from a commercial business to an impact business. Lastly, this session will also explore ways to promote environmental sustainability within tourism activities.
Location: Kigali Hall, Virunga
Investing in Cameroon
Location: Disrupt Hub
6.30pm – 9.30pm
Commonwealth Business Forum Gala Dinner
Master of Ceremony: Makeda Mahadeo
Location: Serena Hotel
N.B: transport will be provided from the CBF venue, Kigali Conference & Exhibition Village (KCEV) and delegate hotels to the gala dinner venue.
8am – 9am
- MTN Breakfast
Location: Kigali Serena Hotel - Breakfast hosted by De La Rue
Location: Kigali Hall - Zipline breakfast meeting and Exhibition tours
Location: Disrupt Hub
9am – 10am
Investing in Rwanda
Session supported by DP World
What makes Rwanda an attractive place to trade and invest? What are the opportunities?
Opening remarks: Itzhak Fisher, Chairman, Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda
Video: “Opportunities in Different Sectors”
Moderator: Olivia Rubagumya, Founder of O|I Productions, a creative agency pioneering new African narratives
Panelists:
- Dato’ Sri Idris Jala, President and Chairman, PEMANDU Associates, Malaysia
- Rt. Hon. Andrew Mitchell, Member of Parliament, United Kingdom
- Ferit Sahenk, Dogus Group Holding, Turkey
- Ingabire Muziga Mamy, Charis UAS, Managing Director, Rwanda
Session Description: This session will showcase Rwanda in three ways: (1) a friendly and easy place to do business, (2) a place to test new ideas, prove concepts, or launch a business, and (3) a place to invest, do business and expand in other countries.
Location: Akagera Hall, KCEV
10.05am – 11.30am
Future Cities: Sustainable Urbanisation
Keynote address: His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
The Call to Action on Sustainable Urbanisation in the Commonwealth’ Presentation
- Mayor Bernard Wagner, the Mayor of Belize City in Belize
Setting the Challenge: What are the biggest challenges to achieving SDG 11?
- Delivered by: Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director, UN‐Habitat
Moderator: James Mwangi, Executive Director, Dalberg, Kenya
Panelist: Future Cities: Sustainability, Innovation, Technology and Design (40 mins)
- Faris Saeed, Chairman and CEO, Diamond Developers
- Frannie Leautier, Senior Partner, SouthBridge, Tanzania
- Derrick Roper, CEO, Novare Development, South Africa
- Jumoke Jagun-Dokunmu, Regional Director for Eastern Africa, IFC
- Joseph Abakunda, Chief Strategy Officer, Rwanda Space Agency
Q&A Session
Closing remarks, and wrap up
- James Mwangi, Executive Director, Dalberg, Kenya
Session Description: Sustainable urbanisation is one of the great challenges and one of the great opportunities of our time. The path to sustainable cities would not be possible without a strong partnership between governments, developers, financiers and other ecosystem enablers. There is a need for innovation in business models and funding sources to accelerate sustainable development. This session will focus on the need for a multidisciplinary approach.
Location: Akagera Hall, KCEV
Investing in Botswana
Special Remarks: The Rt Hon Sir Hugo Swire KCMG, Deputy Chairman, CWEIC
Presentation on Doing Business in Botswana: Mr Keletsositse Olebile, Chief Executive Officer, Botswana Investment and Trade Centre
Keynote Address: Hon. Beauty Morukana Manake, Assistant Minister of Trade & Industry
MOU signing between Business Botswana and Rwanda Private Sector Federation
Networking and close
Location: Kigali Hall, KCEV
11.30am - 11.45am
Health Break
11.45am – 12.25pm
A Challenge to the Commonwealth: Towards a Sustainable World
Fireside Chat: Delivering Growth through Sports: Healthy People, Health World
Moderator: Usher Komugisha, Sports Reporter, Al Jazeera Media Network
- Gianni Infantino, President, FIFA
- Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football
Keynote Address: Paul Russo, CEO, KCB Group, Kenya
Remarks: Alok Sharma, President COP 26- highlights COP26 goals
Moderator: Lanre Akinola, Head of Content, Norwegian-African Business Association (NABA)
Panel: Achieving a Greener Future: Progress, Challenges and Next Steps
- Dr. James Manyika, Senior VP of Technology and Society, GOOGLE, Zimbabwe
- Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO NEPAD
- Nigel Topping, UK High Level Champion for COP26 and Former CEO of We Mean Business
- Grand Reid, President and CEO, MARS Inc., United States-tbc
Arrival of Heads of Government
CBF Highlight Video
CBF Wrap up remarks: Lord Marlands & introduction to PM UK
Remarks: Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, United Kingdom
Remarks: Rt. Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister, Barbados
CBF Closing Remarks: Rt. Hon. Édouard Ngirente, Prime Minister of Rwanda
Session Description: CBF is a three-day symposium focused on bringing together private and public sector leaders to solve pressing challenges facing the Commonwealth. In this capstone session, we will explore how sports can serve as a unifying force and provide momentum for social change. Next, we will hear how private sector and local public institutions are working to solve climate change and related challenges. After, we will hear concluding remarks and words of inspiration from Heads of Government, as we close CBF2022.
Location: Akagera Hall, KCEV
12.25pm – 12.55pm
Closing Ceremony
1.30pm – 2pm
Lunch
Location: Virunga Hall, KCEV
2pm – 3.30pm
Heads of Government and CEOs Roundtable
By invitation only