Promoting Stability and Development in Africa: Fostering Cooperation Between Public and Private Sector

Cooperation between public and private sectors to ensure the stability necessary for economic development and democratic life in sub-Saharan Africa was the main theme of the international conference that the Institute of International Affairs ( IAI ) of Rome and the Foundation for European progressive Studies ( FEPS ) of Brussels, in collaboration with the National Democratic Institute ( NDI ) of Washington DC, organized in Turin on the 1st and the 2nd of December. The event was held in cooperation with the Centre of African Studies Piemonte ( CSA ), with the patronage of the City of Turin, with the support of Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Eni, and in the context of a strategic partnership between IAI and Compagnia di San Paolo.

“Economic development, social and political stability, and security are inextricably linked. A path full of challenges but also of opportunities is what lies ahead of African governments, civil society and private investors. Each of them has an essential role to play in order to ensure a future of long-term growth and social development.” With these words, the President of FEPS, Massimo D'Alema, opened the conference, together with the Mayor  of Tourin, Piero Fassino and the President of IAI, Ferdinando Nelli Feroci. The presentation of the case studies - Ethiopia, Mozambique, Nigeria and South Africa - from African experts was followed by interventions from distinguished Italian and european experts. A final session was devoted to the presentation of experiences and lessons learned from representatives of the private sector operating in sub-Saharan Africa: Eni, Ferrero Social Enterprises, AMREF Italy and Hydroaid.

The event gathered experts and institutional representatives from Italy, Europe, the United States and Africa, in particular from selected countries for the case studies. The conference was an opportunity to present and discuss the preliminary results of the project, which will continue in 2015, but also to create a network of contacts and new synergies between public and private actors that are specifically interested to invest in the continent, particularly in the analyzed countries.