Kigali, Rwanda, 6 October 2011 – Renaissance Capital, the leading
emerging markets investment bank, has opened its inaugural East Africa
Investor Conference, in Kigali, Rwanda. The event brings together more
than 100 local, regional and international investors for two days of
presentations, discussion and networking, focused on investment
opportunities in Rwanda and across the wider East African region.
Dr. Richard Sezibera, Secretary General of the East Africa Community,
who opened the conference, is joined at the event by Claver Gatete,
Governor of the National bank of Rwanda, and John Rwangombwa, Rwanda’s
Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.
In his opening address, Secretary General Sezibera said that within
five years the East Africa region can move from the current average of
5% GDP growth to 11%, and shift from current, average per-capita
income of $300 to at least $700-$1,000. “As a region, we need to be
more confident and more aggressive in realising our potential,” he
added. “All stakeholders should be at the forefront of promoting
confidence among local and foreign investors to do business in our
region. Decisive interventions, such as reducing the numerous
roadblocks along the major East Africa boarders, ports and highways;
harmonisation of axle load controls on our roads to facilitate trade
in the landlocked countries that are member states; and other measures
or elimination of non-tariff barriers, should be encouraged across the
region.”
Renaissance Capital is represented at the conference by Clifford
Sacks, CEO Africa, Patrick Mweheire, CEO East Africa, Yvonne Ike, CEO
West Africa and Charles Robertson, Global Chief Economist.
“Renaissance Capital is very active in Rwanda and East Africa,”
Mweheire told delegates at the conference. “We are very excited about
this market going forward, and want to share our enthusiasm and
showcase Rwanda and the East Africa region to our clients and global
partners as an excellent place to do business. This conference will
not only showcase East Africa’s investment potential but also raise
awareness among foreign investors on investment in East Africa, and
Rwanda in particular,” he added. In 2011, Renaissance Capital advised
on several landmark transactions in Rwanda, including the first two
IPOs on the Rwanda Stock Exchange.
About Renaissance Capital (www.rencap.com)
Renaissance Capital is a leading investment bank focused on the
emerging markets of Russia, the CIS, Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.
The Firm also offers its clients access to these markets through
financial centres such as London, New York and Hong Kong. Renaissance
Capital has market-leading positions in each of its core businesses –
M&A, equity and debt capital markets, securities sales and trading,
research, and derivatives. The Firm is building market-leading
practices across emerging markets globally in metals & mining, oil &
gas and agriculture. Renaissance Capital is part of Renaissance Group.