The Makutano 7
white paper.
The flagship event of the Makutano business platform, the Makutano forum draws several hundred participants to Kinshasa each year around a strategic theme.
MAKUTANO 7 WHITE PAPER
The flagship event of the Makutano business platform, the Makutano forum draws several hundred participants to Kinshasa each year around a strategic theme.
A highly anticipated moment for all leading economic players in Congo as well as in the countries of the region, the Makutano forum is a space for collaborative engagement where round tables, panels and workshops alternate with networking sessions, Master Classes and "deal rooms". The strength of the Makutano forum rests on the blending of high-level multisectoral expertise, helping to make this annual gathering a true driver of innovation and development for Congo, but also for the region.
Makutano firmly believes in the imperative of instilling a new mindset among stakeholders for a DRC and an Africa determined to face multiple challenges and seize development opportunities. While people come to Makutano first and foremost to discuss business with various African and overseas partners, it should be noted that, in parallel, exchanges with political decision-makers, businessmen and businesswomen, and experts during the round tables and thematic plenaries are also on the menu. Furthermore, these moments of reflection and exchange are punctuated by festive sequences reflecting the cultural richness of the continent.
An unmissable business event for 7 years, the 2021 edition of the Makutano Forum was no exception to the rule, last 7 December, despite a reduced capacity and format. In strict compliance with health rules, it brought together 300 decision-makers from the public and private sectors as well as several Congolese and international figures: Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, Prime Minister of the DRC, Nicolas Kazadi, Minister of Finance of the DRC, Romuald Wadagni, his counterpart from Benin, the Ivorian Lacina Koné, Director General of Smart Africa, Rémy Rioux, Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD), the Kenyan Kaddu Sebunya, CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation, the Egyptian "serial" entrepreneur Naguib Sawiris, or, via video link, Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, for whom the number 7 has also proved lucky!
FOREWORD
This giant brainstorming session, lasting about twelve hours, invited participants, in this period of multiple upheavals, to reflect and act "Out of the Box", that is to say by trying to shed all the certainties in which one has always been settled and which one has never called into question. Among the topics addressed were the indispensable building of national champions, the energy transition towards renewable energies, the financing of cultural entrepreneurship and digital technology as a development lever to seize. All the participants answered without mincing words the questions of the public and of the Makutano members who took turns to interview the panelists uncompromisingly or to expertly moderate the debates, alongside Christian Lusakueno, Chairman of Top Congo, radio partner of the 2021 Forum.
Among the highlights of the day, we should also welcome the signing, under the aegis of Makutano, of three agreements aimed at strengthening AFD's support for the Congolese private sector, thereby reinforcing the Forum's strategic role as a privileged moment of networking. This 7th edition highlighted the urgency of an indispensable, candid dialogue between players in the Congolese private and public sectors. It is appropriate to continue developing the trust that underpins this dialogue, possibly in a different format and with other protagonists next year.
Mak7 finally captured the interest of some sixty journalists representing as many national and international media outlets and was followed on Facebook by nearly 32,000 people. This white paper sums up the essence of the MAK7 content and leads to the main recommendations, which could serve as a starting block for action as well as for further reflection. Nicole Sulu CEO Makutano