Austria Celebrates Africa Day 2024 in Vienna
Highlighting Opportunities and Success Stories in Africa
August 08th, 2024On February 1, 2024, the Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (WKÖ) hosted Africa Day, an event aimed at highlighting the vast, yet often underestimated, opportunities in Africa. The event was inaugurated by WKÖ Vice President Carmen Goby, Austria’s Economic Minister Martin Kocher, and Ghana’s President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at the House of Economy. This gathering brought together business leaders, diplomats, and industry experts to discuss and explore the potential for Austrian businesses in Africa.
Ghana's President Akufo-Addo emphasized Africa’s untapped resources, calling for increased investment in local industries to reduce dependency on imports. He highlighted Ghana's stability and business-friendly environment, urging investors to consider the country's promising opportunities. Football star Didier Drogba, serving as an investment ambassador, echoed these sentiments, advocating for significant engagement in Africa, particularly in his home country of Côte d’Ivoire.
The event also focused on the dynamic and innovative aspects of Africa, countering common narratives of war and poverty. With the fastest-growing economies and a young, tech-savvy population, Africa presents immense potential for growth in various sectors, including digital banking, startups, and renewable energy. African countries like Rwanda, Senegal, and Niger are expected to see substantial economic growth, making the continent a hub of creativity and innovation.
Africa Day underscored the critical role of Austrian businesses in tapping into this potential. Austrian exports to Africa, valued at two billion euros in 2022, demonstrate a growing interest in sectors such as energy, environmental technology, and healthcare. The event highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships and networking facilitated by the WKÖ, aiming to boost Austria’s economic presence in Africa. An Africa Austria Biz Award was proposed to celebrate and promote Austrian success stories in Africa, encouraging more companies to explore the continent's lucrative markets.