Over 680 high-level visitors converge on Kinshasa for
successful infrastructure event
• Energy • Water • Finance • Mining • ICT/Telecoms • Transport
The fourth Infrastructure Partnerships for African Development (iPAD) Central Africa – conference and exhibition – took place in Kinshasa on 7-9 October 2008. iPAD Central Africa is the only business-to-business forum for investors in infrastructure in the DRC, and brings together under one roof a cross section of government and private sector decision makers.
This year, the event boasted a pre-conference round-table for the mining sector with the Honourable Mr. Martin Kabwelulu Labilo, Minister of Mines, DRC, and the Vice-Minister of Mines, Honourable Mr. Victor Kasongo Shomary.
The opening session saw the Honourable Mr Olivier Kamitatu Etsu providing the keynote addressas well as Prof Mabi Malumba of the Ecofin Committee in the Senate and Ms Laure Gnassou, Economic Affairs Officer, of MONUC giving an in-depth overview of the macro-economic situation in the DRC; the challenges to infrastructure development; and the role the mining sector can play in the upliftment of the country. The Honourable Wu Zexian, Ambassador of China to the DRC, spoke about the role that China is playing in the DRC’s reconstruction. An animated discussion took place afterwards, moderated by Mr Matthias Buabua, Director General of ANAPI.
In addition, the event offered a two-day infrastructure exhibition, with over 45 international and local DRC companies showcasing their technologies and products. The companies represented the following industries:
• Mining
• Telecoms
• Transport and logistics
• Energy
• Consulting
• Banking
Event highlights:
A highlight of the event was on Day 2 of the conference: the session on The Crucial Role of Electricity Infrastructure Development. The session was chaired by Mr Herman Mutima Sakrini, Honorary Secretary of UPDEA. A panel discussion on Inga followed and the panellists included:
Mr Antoine Lubu, Cabinet Director, Minister of Energy, DRC
Mr Jean Dieudonne Kavese, Director of Energy, Ministry of Energy, DRC
Mr Yengo Massampu, Director General, SNEL, DRC
Mr Vika Di Panzu, Director, SNEL, DRC
Mr Bruno Kapandji, Permanent Secretary, Central African Power Pool, Republic of Congo
Mr Pat Naidoo, Managing Director, Westcor, Botswana
Mr Georges Kyriakos, Vice-President, MagEnergy, South Africa
Mr Achille Bondo Nlandu, COPIREP, DRC.
Issues discussed in the session included the role Grand Inga can and should play in the industrial integration of Africa; environmental impacts and challenges of mobilising finance; the role of the private sector; trans-border projects as well as institutional reforms for the profitability of state-owned enterprises (the utilities).
The last day of the event saw the DRC Ministry of Energy and SNEL host a delegation of 17 people to Inga I and II.
Participants:
Over 630 participants from 24 countries attended the fourth edition of iPAD Central Africa 2008, making it the largest event in the iPAD series.
Here are some statistics to show the growth of the event compared to 2007:
2008
2007
Growth rate
Sponsors:
16
9
+77%
Number of exhibiting companies:
41
34
+20%
Compliments from our participants:
Good work! – Mr Herman Mutima Sakrini, Honorary Secretary General, UPDEA, Côte D’Ivoire
It was a pleasure to contribute at this forum which opens doors to the little known investment market within the DRC for the business world. Great was my satisfaction to see the scope of the event and the feedback I have received is more than encouraging. The competent services will strive to capitalise on the results of this forum in the best interests of the republic. While awaiting the next iPAD, all my best wishes. –
Mr DZ Kizito, Counselor, Ministry of Mines, DRC
We would like to let you know that the event has been a great opportunity for business contacts. – SE Medard Autsai Asenga, Gouverneur, Province Orientale
Thank you! You did a terrific job in what is a very trying place to get things done. I was very happy with the proceedings. – Mr Greg Hull, Senior Trade Commissioner, Sub-Saharan Africa, Australian Trade Commission, South Africa
I have noted the appreciation of the participants and iPAD becomes a must every year!! It is with pleasure that we could present communications on the iPAD theme for 2009!–
Mr Vika di Panzu, Director, SNEL, DRC
I thank you for the good organisation. – Mr Jean Dieudonne Kavese, Director of Energy, Ministry of Energy, DRC
A short note to congratulate you on the quality of the event held in Kinshasa and thank you for everything. As a presenter, I was particularly impressed by your availability, flexibility, understanding and sense of organisation. That and everything else contributed to the success of the event and turned it into a memorable experience. – Ms Poupak Bahamin, Partner, Henen Blaikie, Canada
I really wanted to congratulate you on this third edition of iPAD, which was really a success: the topics chosen, the guests and the exhibition. – Mr Jerome Roux, Attaché Commercial, Embassy of Belgium, DRC
2009:
The next iPAD Central Africa Conference and Exhibition will once again take place in Kinshasa, DRC in October 2009. If you were not able to attend this year’s show, we hope youwill join us next year! Don't miss the opportunity to attend the region’s leading infrastructure event, which is the only business-to-business forum for investors in infrastructure in the DRC.
