Five African leaders will attend the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town next week.

Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Friday, the forum's director head of Africa Katherine Tweedie said heads of state who had confirmed their participation included presidents Jacob Zuma, Kenya's Raila Amolo Odinga, Lesotho's Pakalitha Mosisili, Rwanda's Paul Kagame and Zambia's Rupiah Bwezani Banda.

The World Economic Forum — which takes place from June 10 to 12 — will feature over 800 participants from 50 countries.

"Most of South Africa's Cabinet will be there too," Tweedie said.

She added there was a need now, more than ever before, "to explore how macro-economic shifts are shaping the global agenda and how these trends are affecting Africa's diverse economies".

She said the meeting would facilitate discussions among leaders on the immediate problems the global economic crisis posed to Africa.

The forum would also allow leaders to "fully explore the unique opportunities that Africa has on its doorstep in the new global arena", Tweedie added.

While the forum was in progress, the one year mark to the kick-off of the 2010 World Cup would be celebrated, Tweedie said.

"The forum will discuss the World Cup — both the economic and social impact of it."

China would also be represented at the forum by the Chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Jiang Jianqing.

"China is usually thought of in relation to resources, but this time it's finance," Tweedie said, adding that it was this Chinese bank that had bought 20 percent of South Africa's Standard Bank.

The group chief executive of Standard Bank, Jacko Maree, would also participate in the forum's discussion entitled "Exploring China's New Silk Road", she said.

Another important discussion would be held on the G20 meeting and would be led by those who had attended the recent G20 discussions such as SA's Minister of the National Planning Commission Trevor Manuel, Donald Kaberuke, president of the African Development Bank and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the World Bank.

Agriculture would also feature on the forum's agenda.

"We want to know what is stopping Africa from becoming the breadbasket of the world," Tweedie said.

Former secretary general of the United Nations Kofi Annan would join the discussion on agriculture, Tweedie added.

It was important to note that 20 percent of the participants at this year's forum were women.

"It is fitting that we have discussions about women," she noted.

The interactive session entitled "The Girl Effect in Africa" would deal with the issue of empowering young girls in order to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and help build a sustainable economy.

"Investing in girls' education, sexual and reproductive health and economic empowerment has powerful multiplier effects on families and communities."

Tweedie said that former president Nelson Mandela's wife Graca Machel — who would attend the forum in her capacity as president of the Foundation for Community Development in Mozambique — had been particularly supportive of the forum in its endeavour to address women's issues.

Sapa

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