AFROCHAMPIONS

Concept #Boma: from talk to results

‘A conclave in the forest ... or almost. A discreet meeting on important issues requiring decision-making’ - what the term ‘Boma’ means in Swahili. In order to ensure that these meetings are truly action-oriented, we take a very demanding approach:

(1) invite a qualified and limited audience (150 people at most)

(2) define important topics on which action can and should be taken

(3) involve relevant actors - on infrastructure financing issues, for example, not only large development banks but also sovereign wealth funds or pension funds - and

(4) define a roadmap and concrete actions, to hold us to account when the time comes. Thus, proposed during the first Boma in Nairobi, the AfroChampions Trillion Dollar Investment Framework was presented in a first outline at the African Union Heads of State Summit in Niamey, then refined in exchanges with African business leaders and investors before being submitted for consultation from October 2019 after the second Boma. It is now officially supported by the Heads of State of the African Union (Trillion Framework).

Different objectives for different sessions

Brainstorms or 'diagnostics'

Brainstorms or 'diagnostics':

These sessions, are general brainstorms on a specific industry or sector to identify the main project opportunities worth investing in, the related challenges, and the possible new interventions and models that can be deployed - at the level of institutions, investors and project developers.

Deal rooms

Deal rooms:

These sessions focus on specific projects and transactions. They give project leaders the opportunity to pitch projects to investors and other interested parties to hear their feedback, concerns and suggestions - and hopefully also to gather support, whether in terms of financial commitments or technical expertise.

Roadmap sessions

Roadmap sessions:

These sessions are ‘structured workshops’ aiming at a series of clear recommendations to the African Union’s Presidency. They focus more on how to clarify or improve certain public policies that are essential to the advancement of African economic integration.

Rules of the game

Productive dialogue

Productive dialogue:

In all cases, participants are invited to express themselves and share their point of view and ideas on the subject under discussion; on purpose our agenda is not a succession of keynote speeches precisely to encourage more interactivity and knowledge/know-how sharing. We ask each and every one of our guests to put forward their experience when it is relevant, but to play by the rules and not to avoid making their intervention a mere corporate / personal presentation which would have less value to other participants.

Outcome driven moderation

Outcome driven moderation:

Each session is chaired by one or two moderators (session chairs) selected for their knowledge of the subject and their ability to drive conversations towards results. In particular, they are responsible for ensuring that discussions remain focused, giving the floor to all participants, and for summarizing key highlights and follow-up actions.

Chatham House Rules

Chatham House Rules:

In order to encourage frank and open debates, we request that participants do not to disclose on the social media or the content of the debates, recommendations and key proposals, until the closing session. It is however possible to share photographs and general comments about the atmosphere and themes on the agenda. Media are welcome at the closing session.

Outcomes

AfroChampions Boma on infrastructure financing and delivery in Africa

What ?: First AfroChampions Boma, under the High Patronage of His Excellency Mr. Raila Odinga, High Representative of the African Union for Infrastructure, and with His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya as Special Guest of Honour, was organized on 15-17 April 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya.
How ?: High-level meeting bringing together decision-makers from all over Africa and other regions of the world (Europe, United States, India, Gulf, Asia), public financing institutions and public and private funds.
Why ?: Opportunity for private sector representatives to share their feedback on infrastructure deployment policy in Africa and financing issues, and to discuss a range of strategic opportunities (power projects like Inga dam, strategic maritime infrastructure, rail projects and free zones). First formulation of the Trillion Dollar Investment Framework for the AfCFTA.

Photo gallery BOMA NAIROBI OUTCOME HIGHLIGHTS

AfroChampions Boma on Green Industrialisation

What ?: Second AfroChampions Boma, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Rwanda, and under the high patronage of His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Patron of the AfroChampions Initiative, His Excellency Mr Hailemariam Dessalegn, Former Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and His Excellency Mr Vincent Biruta, then Minister of Environment of Rwanda, organized from 8 to 10 October 2019, in Kigali, Rwanda.
How ?: High-level meeting bringing together decision-makers from all over Africa and other regions of the world (Europe, United States, Gulf), public financing institutions and public and private funds.
Why ?: Opportunity for representatives of the private sector to exchange on industrialization and ways to advance ‘made in Africa’ products. Specific discussions on the issues of product standardization and 'African' standards and brands, agricultural development, integration of new technologies in the industrial process. Key highlights:

• Signing of partnerships and strategic announcements: launch of the GASCA project (Global Alliance for Green cities and villages in Africa), ARSO-AfroChampions partnership, AfroChampions-Badea incubator project for the promotion of of start-ups to strengthen STEM entrepreneurship in Africa.
• Deal room organized around XWells Energy dedicated to the deployment of low carbon technologies for the oil and gas industry.
• Official presentation of the Trillion Dollar Investment Framework for the AfCFTA, under the high patronage of His Excellency Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry of the African Union.

Photo gallery

TESTIMONIALS ( Video Gallery )

Join the bomas

If you wish to participate in one of our next bomas, you are welcome to contact us.
Please kindly note that these meetings are primarily reserved for African or foreign business leaders, for promoters of projects strategic for African integration, particularly in the fields of energy, transport, mobility and logistics, internet & payments connectivity, agriculture, and industrialisation. Public or private investors interested in these areas are also welcome, as well as some key public decision-makers. If your application is successful, you will be informed and then contacted if one of our next bomas focuses on your topics of interest.
*October 2020 Update : the schedule of bomas (physical meetings format) is being revisited as a result of the international health situation and travel restrictions and the next meetings are expected to take place in Q4 2021*.
Please note: boma participants are selected according to theme of the boma. Registration fees are required. Catering expenses and airport transfers are covered by the organization; hotel expenses and plane tickets remain are born by participants.

Making Bomas pan-African events

In July 2020, on the occasion of African Integration Week, the AfroChampions Initiative was invited, as part of its partnership with the African Union, to propose an 'expanded' version of the Boma concept. While the format was different – and, of course, digital because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the spirit was the same: dialogue on strategic issues, such as support for African start-ups, future scenarios for governance, economy and finance on the continent - with a high-level debate on the possibilities of establishing an African government and parliament or a common currency for the whole continent. Other projects, including a competition for young creators, were also presented. Full details of the Boma of Africa are available on the dedicated website, designed in partnership with the African Union.

AFROCHAMPIONS BOMA

Concept #Boma | Outcomes | TESTIMONIALS | Join the bomas | Making Bomas pan-African events