-Will Provide His Perspective on Global and Continental Challenges and Proffer Meaningful Solutions
Capitol Building, Monrovia: The Deputy Speaker of the 54th Legislature, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, has been selected to speak at the 8th Edition of the Africa Summit with the anticipation of providing his perspectives on critical global and continental issues as well as meaningful solutions to address those pressing problems.
The Africa Summit 2023, which takes place in London, United Kingdom, on Tuesday, July 11, is organized by the African Leadership Magazine (ALM).
The summit will feature a series of conversations on the future of African trade as well as showcase Africa’s business and investment opportunities to the rest of the world.
It brings together policymakers, private sector leaders, civil society leaders, thought leaders, and all stakeholders in Europe, the US, and Africa to discuss issues that would prepare the private sector leaders for a more integrated and competitive African trade environment.
An international lawyer (Counselor) with over 24 years of experience, the Deputy Speaker will speak on the future of African trade as well as showcase Africa’s business and investment opportunities under the theme “New Opportunities for African Investments, Partnerships, and Opportunities.”
ALM sees the summit as expedient as the wave of rivalries and strategic shifts between major economies and their allies has become intense, and as such, Africa now has a better opportunity to rack up more beneficial diplomatic and economic cooperation and partnerships.
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the power struggle between the US, Europe, China, and Russia, particularly and increasingly at an intensifying pace, involves the expansion of influence in economic and diplomatic ties with Africa. Experts and pundits have therefore opined that a realignment of Africa’s trade and investment partnership strategies is necessary to raise the geostrategic profile of the continent and advance the region’s broad-based economic interests globally.
As one of the most outstanding events for the African Diaspora, the summit is expected to bring together over 700 policymakers, private sector leaders, civil society leaders, thought leaders, and all stakeholders in Europe, the US, and Africa to discuss issues that would prepare the private sector leaders for a more integrated and competitive African trade environment.
ALM uses the summit to leverage unique access to some of the world’s most influential leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, uniting those global forces to harness their collective knowledge to address current critical issues by finding innovative solutions.
Other global leaders who will also grace the event as speakers are Baroness Sandy Verma, Member of the UK House of Lords; Lord Dolar Popat, Member of the UK House of Lords; Hon. Johnny Ohisa Damian, Governor, Bank of South Sudan; and Mrs. Josielle Rafidy, CEO, Economic Development Board of Madagascar.
Others are Prof. Muhammed Bello Abubakar, Managing Director/CEO, Galaxy Backbone Limited, Nigeria; Hon. Dr. Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning, and Development, Mauritius; and H.E. Rindra Hasimbelo, Rabarinirinarison, Minister for Economy and Finance, Madagascar.
Deputy Speaker Koffa is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill, where he obtained a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree in Law. His educational pursuit took him to Raleigh, North Carolina State University, where he obtained a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a Bachelor of Public Administration (Cum Laude) with a concentration in Urban Planning from Shaw University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
Cllr. Koffa was awarded the Best Oralist Moot Court, University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, the United Negro College Fund Meritorious Leadership Award, the Shaw University Distinguished Leadership Award, and the Valedictorian, Supreme Court Bar of the Republic of Liberia. Class of 2014.
Meanwhile, it may be recalled that on January 3, 2023, the Deputy Speaker was named among the ‘100 Most Reputable Africans’ of 2023.
A global reputation firm, Reputation Poll International (RPI), released the list on Monday, which features individuals from diverse sectors, including governance and leadership, Entertainment, Human rights, and advocacy, Education, and Business.
“Reputation Poll is a research-based, global performance-management consulting company,” a statement on the firm’s website reads. “Reputation Poll is set to become a Global Brand in reputation ratings focused on creating and executing credible opinions on personalities, organizations, and brands across multiple industries.”
Deputy Speaker Koffa became the 36th and one of three Liberians to be named, including two Nobel Peace Prize recipients: former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Activist Leymah Gbowee, who was recognized amongst other high-profile African
According to the company, the selection criteria are integrity, visibility, and impact.
The company added that the individuals recognized on Reputation Poll International’s list are celebrated for their contributions to social impact and social entrepreneurship, helping to transform businesses in Africa and positively impacting lives without causing controversy.
Meanwhile, the highlights of the summit include the Roundtable on African Leadership, Fireside Chats with African CEOs, the Private and Public Sector Leaders Roundtable, the 8th African Business Leadership Awards 2023, the African Good Governance Awards 2023, the African Leadership Council (ALC) induction ceremony, and the Invest in Africa Forum Breakout Sessions.
“We leverage unique access to some of the world’s most influential leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, uniting these global forces to harness their collective knowledge, address today’s critical issues, and discover innovative solutions.”
