African officials spoke of realignment and alliance amid global trade and tariff upheaval, and Botswana put itself forward as the nation that could stand as a new model for economic development and cooperation at the “Future of Finance and Trade in Africa 2.0” conference hosted by the George Washington University.
“We gather this evening at a time of tectonic shifts in the global economic order. Trade blocs are fracturing, nationalism is resurgent. Many countries are returning and retreating from long held alliances and multilateral pacts, turning inward as though the walls we build might protect us from the winds of change,” said Botswana’s Vice President Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, who is also the country’s finance minister and a GW alumnus. “Yet in Africa a different rhythm echoes. At this precise moment as others pull apart, we are coming together as Africa.”
Gaolathe and others speaking at the April 23 conference, which came in tandem with the spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, touched on a sweeping range of issues, from urbanization and infrastructure strategies to access to financing. Panelists called for changes in the old guard, innovation and the opening of more doors to women business leaders and young entrepreneurs.