Inaugural ICOA Convention Investment & Trade Expo Day 4

The debate on whether Africa and the global south need aid or trade has continued. The discussion always comes down to the need to open up trade for countries in the global south as a more sustainable route to the socio-economic development of the countries in the global south, compared to the provision of foreign aid which doesn’t seem to have given tangible outputs for almost 50-100years of post-colonialism. Trade is seen more as a way for developing countries to retain their dignity, as they interact with the more developed countries as partners, while aid is patronizing and demeaning of the developing countries.

However, trade cannot happen unless the parties therein understand each other’s expectations, especially in terms of quality standards, as well as the systems of trade. The Inaugural ICOA Convention & Trade Expo 2024 is proposed from this background. 

ICOA CONVENTION AGENDA

09:00AM-11:00AM: Exclusive Networking Brunch

• Informal networking over brunch
11:00AM-01:00PM: Interactive Workshops and Breakout Sessions