A robust manufacturing sector is broadly understood as a fundamental path to economic growth and development. In terms of two  indicators of industrial development—manufacturing value added (MVA) and manufacturing exports—Africa lags far behind the rest of the world, even among developing countries. Despite this worrying trend, manufacturing in Africa has grown 3.5 percent annually from 2005 to 2014—faster than it has in the rest of the world. This panel will discuss the successes and barriers for manufacturing growth on the continent and the role of government, foreign investment, and technology (industry 4.0, AI, Robotics) in enabling it. 

Theme: Made in Africa for the World

Juliet Wanyiri, Moderator Founder, Foondi & Mekatilili

Juliet Wanyiri is the co-founder of Foondi and Mekatilili progam. She is a masters student in Integrated Design and Management (IDM) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – a joint program between the MIT School of Engineering and Sloan School of Management. Her background lies in engineering, product design and business, having worked in numerous roles at Nokia Networks, Tesla and as a Stanford FabLearn Fellow. She is currently a Fellow at the MIT Legatum Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development. Foondi is creating Africa's first online platform for creative hardware professionals that enables hardware innovators to easily showcase their work and skillset using a portfolio-based career site. Mekatilili is an African training program that aims to build 21st century skills in design,electronics, AI, and the internet of things (IoT). Through the technology programs, Mekatilili aims to fill the skills gap between the needs of technology companies in Africa against the skills offering from young professional and recent university graduates.

Marcus Watson, Partner Dalberg Advisors

Marcus Watson is an Associate Partner in Dalberg’s Nairobi office, where he leads teams advising corporates, private investors, and development finance institutions on strategy planning, performance, and investment across Africa. He has a particular sector focus in energy & infrastructure, financial services, and private equity. He is the Africa lead of Dalberg Advisors' Energy & Infrastructure practice. Marcus’ recent engagements have included developing strategy for a growth-stage tech firm in East Africa, conducting feasibility and planning for a US-based green-field investor to develop an industrial park in W. Africa, and designing one of the largest renewable energy debt facilities in Africa. Prior to joining Dalberg, Marcus worked at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington DC and Grassroots Business Fund in Nairobi. At the start of his career, Marcus worked as a private equity lawyer in London, where he advised private equity funds on fund formation and M&A. Marcus has a BA from Trinity College Dublin, an MA in International Development and Economics from Johns Hopkins University SAIS, and is a qualified attorney in England & Wales.

Vally Khamisani, Principal and Global Sector Lead for Light Manufacturing, IFC

Vally Khamisani is Principal and Global Sector Lead for Light Manufacturing (Automotive, Advanced Technology Products, Textiles, etc.), within the private sector arm of the World Bank Group / International Finance Corporation (IFC), based out of the headquarters in Washington D.C  He was previously Lead for Manufacturing, East and Southern Africa, for the 26 countries, based out of IFC’s hub office in Nairobi, Kenya, for 5 years. Prior to joining the World Bank Group, he was Vice President, Investment Banking Division at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York, and Director at the Dubai based private equity fund. His earlier experience includes setting up operations as founder of a garment manufacturing unit in Pakistan, primarily involved in manufacturing and exporting apparels to Europe and US.  Mr. Khamisani brings over 20 years of experience in the origination, negotiation, mergers & acquisition, leveraged buyouts, hostile raid defense, re-capitalization, equity, convertible, sovereign debt and private equity investments of over $40 billion. Mr. Khamisani holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University and a Master of Business Administration from University of Chicago.

The manufacturing panel is sponsored by