Panel Discussion

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10:10-11:30 1st Session: Launch of the European Business Organisation (EBO

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Nigeria recovered from a recession in 2017 and ended the year with a GDP growth of $396bn remaining the largest economy on the continent. The economy is largely diversified with the non-oil sector accounting for 90% of the GDP.  However, oil and gas still remains the main source of Government revenue and foreign exchange. While capital importation has improved since 2016, the increase in portfolio investments and decline in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) underscores the dire need for attracting new investments and creating the business environment for the existing investors to increase their investments.

The Federal Government has made some commendable efforts through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), particularly in the improvement of Nigeria's position in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Ranking from 169 to 145th position. However, companies still struggle with challenges in the local business environment in the country. As such, there is a need for continuous constructive engagement between Government and private sector investors in different sectors of the economy. The EBO is an ongoing global initiative of European Companies which seeks better business environment in the host countries for their investors towards increasing investments and creating jobs locally. The launch of the EBO in Nigeria means integration into a network of over 35 key global markets, supporting Nigeria's goal of identifying obstacles towards improving in the ease of doing business ranking and proffering solutions to these challenges.

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Keynote Presentations:

Why an EBO in Nigeria? President, European Business Organisation (EBO) Nigeria,

Mrs Folashade AMBROSE-MEDEBEM

How to ensure effective dialogue between Private and Public sector to achieve sustainable growth and job creation in Nigeria, 

Mr. Afolabi IMOUKHUEDE, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Job Creation, Office of the Vice President

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Moderated panel discussion 

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• Mr. Afolabi IMOUKHUEDE, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Job Creation, Office of the Vice President

• President, European Business Organisation (EBO) Nigeria, Mrs Folashade AMBROSE-MEDEBEM

• CEO, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr Laoye JAIYEOLA

• Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Ms Yewande SADIKU

• CEO, Asseco Software Nigeria, Simon MELCHIOR

• MD/CEO, Siemens Nigeria, Mrs. Onyeche TIFASE

• Chair: Managing Director, Financial Derivatives, Mr. Bismarck REWANE

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11:30-13:30 2nd Session – Circular Economy: Exploring Opportunities for Nigeria

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Vice President Yemi OSINBAJO described plastic pollution as an "environmental epidemic" due to its impact to fisheries, tourism and biodiversity in the country. Single-use plastics have been said to take between 500 to 1000 years to degrade with the unrecycled plastics estimated in excess of 4.5 billon tonnes. The EU has adopted an ambitious Circular Economy Action Plan towards amongst others making all plastics packaging recyclable by 2030. In 2012, 9 million tonnes of electrical and electronic products were put on the EU market; 3.5 million tonnes of e-waste were collected with 2.5 million tonnes of this recycled or reused. The disposal of e-waste could have adverse effects on the environment, climate, human health and the economy. With the boom in Nigeria's telecommunications industry also comes the challenge of disposal of e-waste but also provides an economic opportunity. The session will explore this strategy towards identifying the opportunities for Nigeria in the circular economy. 

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Keynote Presentations:

Moving towards the Circular Economy – good for business, good for the environment

Director, Global Sustainable Development, European Commission DG Environment,

Ms Astrid SCHOMAKER

Circular Economy in Nigeria: The Journey So Far

Honourable Minister of State, Environment, Mallam Ibrahim Usman JIBRIL
 

Moderated panel discussion 

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• Director, Global Sustainable Development, European Commission DG Environment, Ms Astrid SCHOMAKER

• Director General /CEO, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr Lawrence Chidi ANUKAM 

• CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr Michel PURCHERCOS

• BASF West Africa, Mr KWADWO OWUSU-SARFO

• MD, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw NSARKOH

• Chair: Mr Christian WESSELS, CEO, Sunray Ventures 

   

 

13:30     Networking Lunch 

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