JOHANNESBURG and THE HAGUE, December 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Leading thinkers focus on Africa's emerging role and strategic position

Africa is playing a greater emerging role within a highly competitive, rapidly globalizing economy. The business and investment opportunities flowing from the growing strategic position of the continent will be the key focus during the 7^thAfrica Economic Forum, to be held in Johannesburg on March 6^th, 2013.

During this Global Pacific & Partners premium Annual Forum, leading corporates, state officials, industries, senior executives, strategists and economic thinkers gather to focus on the fundamentals shaping Africa's economic future, reviewing leading-edge shifts within the continent's political economy and evolving commercial landscapes impacting investment and business operations.

Dr Duncan Clarke, Chairman & CEO of Global Pacific & Partners, and author of Africa's Future: Darkness to Destiny (Profile Books, London 2012) remarked: "this meeting has established a reputation for deep-level thinking beyond sound-bites, solid analytical insights, telling observations, and understanding of Africa's inherent complexities - no more so than now, at a critical conjuncture in future growth paths".

Business executives, ministers, bankers and economists from all over the continent will speak about Africa's economic future in the 21^st century, its investment potential, its resource potential and industrial growth - with lively discussion in special session around "political economy hardball."

South African Minister of Trade & Industry Dr Rob Davies will speak about the contribution of the Republic to trade and investments in the African economy. Dr Duncan Clarke, Chairman & CEO of Global Pacific & Partners, will discuss strategies for the unlocking of natural capital for maximal economic growth. Dr Lawrence McCrystal, Director of Agrifica, will explain how agrarian economies across Africa's changing landscapes are built, while Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer Albert Essien of EcoBank will speak about corporate banking in sub-Saharan Africa. Plus many additional speakers will review Africa's potential and prospects in key country, regional and world geo-economic context.

Thus this 7^thAfrica Economic Forum provides an ideal platform to connect with key players and decision-makers across Africa and to build on business contacts, networks and deal-flow.

The Forum attracts wide interest from banking and public financial institutions, corporate investors, accounting firms, telecom and transport companies, tourism industries, minerals and mining companies, oil-gas/energy and power players and a diversity of state economic agencies and multi-bilateral bodies, including DFIs.

Global Pacific & Partners is a leading advisory firm based in Johannesburg, focused on advisory practice, research and corporate strategy in Africa. Its senior partners have a long corporate history in Africa and worldwide oil/energy industry exposure, managing a professional, highly-dedicated international conference team with deep Africa background and wide industry knowledge, plus extensive business networks and corporate relationships, and global experience.

More information: http://www.petro21.com/events/?id=779