EGYPT - The 17th annual Wharton African Business Forum (WABF) has praised President Paul Kagame as a visionary leader who has showcased Africa as a land of opportunities.

The Forum, under the theme; "Seizing and Sustaining Growth in a New Global Economy” concluded yesterday and was organized by Wharton African Student’s Association (WASA), University of Pennsylvania.

"President Paul Kagame of Rwanda is a man of vision,” said Thierry Tanoh, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Vice President who was a keynote speaker at the event.

The event that is held annually attracts thousands of investors and exhibitors from different countries where national and international media educate young African professionals and the US Business Investment Community on Africa’s business opportunities.

Michael Rukata, the First Counsellor of the Embassy of Rwanda in Washington, called on investors to exploit investment opportunities in Rwanda, saying that the country has a strong zero tolerance policy on corruption.

"Based on the business reforms that the country has enforced to improve its business climate, Rwanda is branded as the most privileged nation among other countries in the entire region to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs, as the case has been reported in the 2009 World Bank and IFC "Doing Business Report’,” the diplomat said.

Janet Nkubana, the Chief Operations Officer, Gahaya Links, shared her peace basket weaving entrepreneurship experience in Rwanda with the delegates, telling them that the project had changed the lives of many widows, and HIV victims.

The conference addressed many key issues that are pertinent to Africa’s development and renaissance, ranging from; African women in business to private equity and legal investing.

Other countries represented were Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, and Tanzania.

Ends