As part of its Africa Business Program, the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University will host the second annual “Africa: The World’s Next Investment Frontier” on Nov. 9, beginning at 11 a.m. with a screening of “Africa: Investment Horizons,” produced by director and producer Carol Pineau.

At 11:30 a.m., the program continues with a guest lecture by Thierry Tanoh, vice president of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the Milton Room, located on the 4^th floor of the Whitman School building. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tanoh’s responsibilities include Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe, International Development Association (IDA) countries and conflict-affected states, and an industry cluster of departments consisting of agribusiness; general manufacturing and services; and health and education.

Prior to this assignment, Tanoh was IFC associate director and became director for Sub-Saharan Africa, where he was a key player in the expansion of IFC's activities in the region. With the Africa team, he helped drive the ten-fold increase in investment activity—from $140 million in 2003 to $1.4 billion in 2007. As part of the regional management team, he was responsible for integrating IFC's investment and advisory business lines in the region. He also led the Africa team's initiative to scale up activities in conflict-affected countries.

Tanoh joined IFC in 1994 through the Young Professionals Program. He initially worked in the Asia Department and then specialized in the chemicals and petrochemicals sector, handling transactions in Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. He moved to Brazil in 2001 to focus on transactions in Latin America. Before becoming a manager, Tanoh was involved in business development, deal structuring, and processing of some of IFC's largest transactions. Prior to joining IFC, he worked for a consulting firm in Paris and with the banking commission of the West African Central Bank in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. He holds earned his MBA from the Harvard Business School.

At 12:30 p.m., the Africa Business event continues with a keynote address by Josefina P. Diakité, ambassador of the Republic of Angola. Diakité was previously the ambassadorto Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. She is the third Angolan ambassador to the U.S. since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1993. She holds a law degree from the Agostinho Neto University in Angola. She began her professional career in the Secretariat of State for Cooperation, becoming national director of technical assistance before moving to the Ministry of External Affairs. She has spent the last decade working on issues related to Europe and North America.

Following Diakité ‘s keynote address, there will be a roundtable discussion featuring Diakité, Tanoh, and representatives from both the New York State government and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“Now in its second year, the Africa Business Program at Whitman has demonstrated tremendous progress in exploring the quantity and quality of business opportunities in Africa,” says Melvin T. Stith, dean of the Whitman School. “As an emerging global market, business in Africa offers potential for growth and high rates of return on investment. We’re delighted to host these distinguished guests, who will shed light on the business and financial developments of emerging economies.”

Whitman’s Africa Business program works with businesses in Central New York to make a significant connection to the business possibilities in African countries, and works with Whitman faculty and students to explore the marketplace potential in Africa. The Africa Business Program is administered by the Kiebach Center, which is the recipient of a two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s International Business and Education program to promote doing business with Sub-Saharan Africa. The program is the joint responsibility of the Kiebach Center, the Central New York Technology Development Organization (CNYTDO), and the Central New York International Business Alliance (CNYIBA). It is also supported by the County of Onondaga Division of Economic Development and the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce.

“Africa: The World’s Next Investment Frontier” is free and open to the public. Reservations are required. Paid public parking is available in the University Avenue Garage.

To RSVP, contact Agnes H. Magnarelli, research center administrator, at ahmagnar@syr.edu or (315) 443-1383. Media queries can be directed to Amy Schmitz, director of communications in the Whitman School, at (315) 443-3834 or aemehrin@syr.edu.

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