Organized, under the High Patronage of His Majesty the King, Mohammed VI, May God Help Him, by the Attijariwafa bank group under the impetus of the pan-African investment fund Al Mada, the International Africa Development Forum FIAD24 ended in term of 2 days of work and exchanges around the theme: “Here, we invest. »
Having become the flagship event for economic and commercial exchanges in Africa, this edition has once again exceeded all expectations. More than 2,200 economic operators, institutions and government officials from 30 African countries gathered to address the challenges and opportunities linked to the development of the Continent. FIAD24 has not only strengthened existing ties but also opened up new prospects for cooperation and growth for Africa. No less than 6,000 business meetings were made.
In his speech during the closing ceremony, Mr. Mohamed El Kettani, Chairman and CEO of the Attijariwafa bank group, expressed his pride in the record number of participants: “There were more than 2,200 operators who left their mark on this forum. , this is a real record which makes us immensely proud and a happiness which is matched only by the exceptional commitment of all the participants in this 2024 edition.
This massive presence obliges us and invites us to redouble our efforts to make this African platform accessible to as many people as possible at a time when the mobilization of Africans towards their Continent is more than ever deeply anchored in our DNA.
Regarding BtoB meetings, Mr. Mohamed El Kettani declared “This enthusiasm and this thirst for enterprise makes us extremely proud, without really surprising us, as it testifies to the excitement and the dynamic that we have observed since the beginning of this Forum.”
This closing ceremony was marked by the presentation of the “Young Entrepreneurs Trophies” placed under the aegis of the Al Mada Foundation. Selected by a jury chaired by Ms. Noufissa Kessar, Deputy General Director of the Al Mada Group, and composed of prestigious experts, these Trophies recognize the excellence, innovation and originality of projects from several countries on the African continent.
The 4 young entrepreneurs who won the Trophies are:
• The 1st Prize of 250,000 DHS was awarded to Congo Plast, a Congolese company headed by Mr. Henri Diele, using cutting-edge technology for the collection and recycling of plastic waste.
• 2nd prize of 200,000 DHS was awarded to Deepecho, a Moroccan company headed by Mr. Youssef Bouyakhf, using artificial intelligence to improve prenatal diagnostics.
• 3rd prize in the amount of 100,000 DHS was awarded to Innovative Clan, a Cameroonian company headed by Ms. Ako Joelle Agborndang, having developed digital payment solutions for the education sector.
• The jury’s favorite prize of 50,000 DHS was awarded to Gaz-tech, a Congolese company headed by Mrs. Andress Bellina Loemba, offering a service for disadvantaged Congolese families for the sale and mobile payment of Gas-LPG on a per-use basis.
On the occasion of this presentation of the Trophies, Mr. Hassan Ouriagli, Chairman and CEO of the Al Mada Group, declared that “Convinced of the potential of entrepreneurship for the socio-economic development of Morocco and the Continent, the Al Mada Foundation has been deploying for many years several programs to promote entrepreneurship in all its forms, putting the emergence of a new generation of African entrepreneurs at the heart of its priorities.
A ceremony was also dedicated to the presentation of the South-South Cooperation Trophies. These Trophies were awarded following the deliberation of a jury composed of presidents of employers from different African countries.
During his introduction to this trophy presentation, Mr. Mossadeck Bali, President of Malian Employers and co-President of the jury, said: “These are entrepreneurs who consider Africa as their responsibility. »
For his part, Mr. Chakib Lalj, President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and Co-President of the Jury added: “I would like to tell you that the 9 selected companies all fully deserve to receive a prize. Africa needs its entrepreneurs more than ever, whom we must strongly support and encourage. »
The Gold Award was given to Tijani Ben Al Houssein, CEO of Star Oil, which operates in the distribution of petroleum products based in Mauritania and present in several African countries.
The Silver Prize was awarded to Hassan Dakhlallah, CEO PORTEO BP, an Ivorian company engaged for several years in the development of road infrastructure.
The Bronze Prize was awarded to Nouzha Taarji, General Manager of Energy Transfo, which operates in energy efficiency in Morocco and in several markets in West and Central Africa.
Finally, this closing ceremony had another highlight: the presentation of an honorary prize awarded to HE.M. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat.
Speaking about these two Trophies, Mr. Mohamed El Kettani, declared: “I would like, before concluding, to return to the very moving moment that we experienced together during the presentation of the “South-South Trophies” and the “Young Entrepreneurs Trophies” which consecrate the African integration in progress and the role of youth in the construction of the Africa of tomorrow. This is also the International Africa Development Forum. A celebration for our Continent to celebrate our greatest achievements and express our pride in this vibrant youth.”
The Africa Development Forum ended with a unanimous commitment from participants to further increase and consolidate intra-African trade and work more towards a united and prosperous Africa.
