MKT 4306 International Marketing

Report on the presentation of : African Development Bank

First of all I would like to thank Dr. Hamelin for this interesting presentation, and my colleagues for the interactive discussion they animated. The guest speaker is a successful Egyptian woman, who has been managing a portfolio of 2 billion euros, she is the representative of African Development Bank in Morocco. Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid has been involved in many socio economic development programs. Her experience is not limited to Morocco but extends throughout the Middle East, Europe, the United Kingdom and Canada.

Dr. Abou-Zeid talked about some facts about Africa saying that: In 2005-08 Africas growth average 6%, Growth of 4.8% in 2010 up from 3% back in 2009. Opportunities are diversified and represents the interest greater than any other developped continent; namely , fast reforms, commodities, agriculture, growing markets & middle class. The ADB strategy sectorial emphasis : Infrastructure, Governance, Private sector development, higher education. ADB is also the first development partner is Morocco. Africas recent economic performance states that Africa register interesting growth in the past years due to seriousness after its economic and fiscal crises in the 70s and 80s. The implications of financial crisis on Africa had little direct impact of the world financial crisis on African Financial System. However, Africa was more affected by recession.

Dr. Abou-Zeid also stated that there was an emerging middle class and that Urbanization is taking place and that 50% of Africans will be living in cities by 2030. There is also an increasing consumer market making people willing to spend money on product they like or need. Africas consumers spending will reach 14 trillion dollars in 2020. Concerning the labour force, there will be 11 billion of working age Africans in 2040. However, the challenges that it may face are the Political uncertainty in several countries such as Tunisia, Egypt, Cote dIvoire, Libya, Sudan and many other countries. They have production losses, and reduce the investors confidence while increasing commodity volatility (Libya, Cote dIvoire). Africas total infrastructure need of $93 billion is half financed and hence provides a unique opportunity. Some countries are a pioneer in some sectors such a eBanking (Mpessa in Kenya). Energy is also a good asset of Africa: Solar, Wind, Hydro, Geothermal Finally, Agriculture is a promising sector in Africa where prospects for commercial agriculture abound. The African development Bank is a privileged partner for Africa and its mission is to promote sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty in Africa. All this represents a great opportunities for foreign investors to invest in the African Market. The Africa development Bank was founded in 1964, and its constituent institutions are: The African Development Bank (ADB), the African Development Fund (ADF), and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). Its headquarters are located in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire and its temporary location is in Tunis, Tunisia. The ADB has shareholders of course made of 53 African countries (regional member countries) and 24 non-African countries (non-regional member countries). Its mission is to promote sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty in Africa. The authorized capital in December 31, 2010 was 67.69 billion dollars in unit of accounts (UA). The total cumulative Approvals from 1967 to 2010 of loans and grants totalled 55 million of dollars in UA. The

reason why the ADB exists is because it has a deep knowledge on Africa and has more of 40 years of experience. It also has a catalytic role and its structuring and advisory is under one roof. The ADB also has a preferred credited status and has a good AAA rating, and uses the shareholders vote of confidence that led to the tripling of the capital in 2010. The ADB strategy is considered to have a strong emphasis on infrastructure, governance, private sector and other areas. It has special applicability on regional integration for instance, and a better integration. Regarding the presentation, I would like to state a personal opinion. I really appreciate the initiative of introducing the African Development Bank as we are Africans and we should know the partners of the African development; however, I would have more appreciated the presentation if the guest speaker made an analysis of the ADB rather than a marketing presentation that would be done for foreign investors interested in investing in Africa. I felt like that the purpose of the presentation was more to influence the audience to take an action and be convinced that the ADB is the future path to the African success than to inform us about how the bank works, what it does, the business part of it as well. This made the presentation lose some credibility raising the questions about what may be the weaknesses ant he threats ? as well as the constraints that the programs implementing face in Morocco.