More than 150 international business leaders, investors, policymakers and influential commentators will, for two days, convene in Kigali to take an incisive look into East Africa’s new role in the fast changing global business arena.

The December 6-7 event is organised by The Economist Conferences, a division of the Economist Group, publishers of The Economist.

The participants are expected to engage in a frank and open debate about the region’s prospects and to explore emerging opportunities for companies seeking to grow their East African businesses.

The theme of this event is Unlocking the business potential of a dynamic region.

The COO of the Rwanda Development Board, Clare Akamanzi explained why the importance of the conference.

"The conference will provide an opportunity for the Rwandan private sector to create gainful partnerships, break into new markets and seize new opportunities along with regional and international businesses.”

Akamanzi added that it will provide a window through which the world can gain a better perspective of Rwanda and the East African region and offer a platform for showcasing to participants, not only Rwanda’s investor-friendly and predictable environment, but also its enormous opportunities in a vast array of sectors in Rwanda and the East Africa region.

 "Rwanda was this year named as the third most competitive country in sub-saharan Africa after Mauritius and South Africa and the third easiest in Doing Business in Africa. Therefore this conference, which is welcome, will further boost Rwanda’s and the region’s attractiveness for investments.” Akamanzi stressed.

Notable speakers at the summit will include the Hon Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya; Richard Sezibera, Secretary General, East African Community; Bob Collymore, CEO, Safaricom; Pierre Trouilhat, CEO, Nestle Equatorial African region; Gordon Boyle, Chief Executive, BMMI Group and Joe Mucheru, Regional Lead sub-Saharan Africa, Google

The summit discussions will focus on the future trading prospects for East Africa in a globalised economy, examining which markets will perform strongest in coming years, the most compelling opportunities for investors, and the practical steps governments should take to ensure the region fulfils its economic potential.

The East African Community member states of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi represent a fast growing economy of $74bn.

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