OREANDA-NEWS. On September 10,  2015, African Development Bank Vice-President for Infrastructure, Private Sector and Regional Integration, Solomon Asamoah, participated in a panel discussion hosted by the Wilson Center for Scholars in Washington, DC, titled: The US-Africa Leaders’ Summit One Year On: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward for Economic Relations.

VP Asamoah’s presentation focused on progress made and key issues that hinder US economic/business engagement with Africa. He also emphasized constraints on the African side such as infrastructure deficits, policy inconsistencies and the shortage of bankable projects as areas which require further improvements. The role of private equity funds in growing companies and boosting economic development in Africa was also mentioned. He also highlighted the Bank’s vision and top five priority areas for the next five years under its new President, Akinwumi Adesina, to bring about real and positive change on the continent.

Other panelists included: Jay Ireland, President and CEO, GE Africa, and Member, President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa; Don Gips, former US Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa from 2009-2013;  Richard Sezibera, Secretary General, East African Community; and Dr. Witney Schneidman, Member, Africa Program Advisory Council and Senior International Advisor, Covington and Burling LLP.