South African President Jacob Zuma will send three ministers to represent South Africa at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa Summit in Abuja, Nigeria from May 7- 9, the Presidency said on Monday.

The ministers are Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Lechesa Tsenoli, presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

"Africa has remained at the center of our foreign policy. We have also prioritized the promotion of regional economic integration, infrastructure development, intra-African trade and sustainable development in the continent," Zuma said in the statement.

The WEF is an important platform to take this agenda forward, especially as it enables Africa to interact with the world to promote growth and development, said Zuma.

The summit in Abuja takes place against the backdrop of a much improved outlook for economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa, said Gordhan who will lead the SA delegation.

In its most recent regional economic outlook, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa will pick up from 4.9 percent in 2013 to 5.5 percent this year, an acceleration which the IMF ascribed to improved prospects in a large number of countries in the region.

The WEF on Africa, which is hosted on an alternating basis by South Africa and other fellow African nations, will focus on forging inclusive growth and job creation, both topics of considerable interest and much relevance for Africa's socioeconomic development.

At the upcoming summit, political and business leaders from Africa and other parts of the world will discuss innovative structural reforms and investments that can help sustain the continent's growth, create jobs and prosperity for all. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)